1900s

1902

The Western Illinois Normal School opens for the 1902-1903 academic year with 229 students.

1904

The first offering of courses in domestic science and elements of agriculture are available.

1907

Agricultural experiment plots are established. They consist of forty different plots with plans calling for rotation of crops, fertilizing by various methods, and measuring and weighing the harvest.

Seventeen students enrolled in agriculture education classes.

1908

The Department of Biology and Agriculture is established and offers four different courses.

The Agriculture club formed with 50 members.

1910s

1910

Forty-one students are enrolled in agriculture classes.

1917

Dr. H.D. Waggoner is named head of Department.

1918

A special agriculture curriculum was introduced and designed for students entering junior year. The curriculum features fifteen different courses.

1919

A full four-year curriculum is offered to prepare students to teach agriculture in high schools.

1920s

1920

Agriculture separates from Biology to become its own Department of Agriculture.

Mr. W.A. Cleveland is named head of Department.

1921

Western Illinois Normal School changes its name to Western Illinois Teachers College.

1927

Dr. C.H. Oathout is named head of Department.

1930s

1930

The Illinois General Assembly appropriates money to build an implement building.

1937

Agriculture curriculum is completely reorganized to meet increasing demand for a teaching major in agriculture.

Classes in public speaking and chemistry were added to the graduation requirements.

1940s

1941

During WWII, to aid with the war effort, the department offered a one year course designed to help increase the production of food. Agronomy 136 was described as a course in socials and crops offered especially for those who have little or no knowledge of these subjects and who may wish to help on farms during the emergency.

1946

Western acquires Rustic Lodge and used it as a cooperative housing unit for fourteen agricultural majors in efforts to lower the cost of education and associated living expenses for veterans returning from war. A poultry house and farm shop were built on land immediately adjacent to Rustic Lodge. This included a pasture experiment plot, horticulture plots, an orchard and a barn housing two registered Hampshire sows, two purebred Guernsey cows and give head of yearling Angus steers. The Angus steers roamed the brushy rough area now known as Hanson Field.

Dr. John McVickar is named head of Department.

1947

Western Illinois State Teachers College changes to Western Illinois State College.

1948

The department purchases a ninety acre farm located one mile north of campus known as the Braun farm. The Braun Farm became home to a herd of purebred Guernsey cattle and a herd of registered Hampshire swine.

1950s

1952

Courses in beekeeping, principles of soil conservation and rural electrification were added to the curriculum.

1956

The University Farm is established which consists of 275 acres.

1957

Western Illinois Teachers Colleges changes names to become Western Illinois University.

The University purchases a farm of 183 acres.

1958

The swine evaluation station is established by fifty swine breeders known as the Western Illinois Swine Association.

1959

The Western Illinois Beef Performance Testing Station is established through the efforts of Loren K. Robinson, Animal Science.

1960s

1962

Majors in Agronomy, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Mechanization, Animal Science and Horticulture were all offered in addition to Agriculture Education as degree programs within the department.

The beef evaluation program started.

1963

Alpha Gamma Rho establishes the Western Illinois University chapter.

1964

The Department of Agriculture was moved to new facilities in Morrill Hall, later named Knoblauch.

The livestock judging program is started to train students to a degree of professional competency in the areas of livestock judging, selection and carcass evaluation. Students become skilled in livestock evaluation and can better meet employment demands of livestock production and livestock oriented agribusiness areas.

1965

Dr. Arlon Elser is named head of the Department.

Alpha Gamma Rho purchases Horne Mansion.

1966

The department is transferred to the School of Applied Sciences from the School of Arts and Sciences. The pre-professional programs of Forestry, Veterinary Medicine and Agricultural Engineering are established.

1967

The State of Illinois certifies WIU’s Agricultural Education program.

The Livestock Center, swine evaluation station, swine teaching complex, beef complex, sheep flock building, and agronomy and equipment storage building were built.

1969

Dr. Victor Sheldon is named head of the Department.

1970s

1970

First agricultural progress show was held by the Agricultural Engineering-Mechanization Club. The show was initiated by the Ag Mech students under the advisement of Edward Breece, Dr. Safwat Moustafa, and Dr. Rayburn Parker.

The university purchased a new 285 acre tract of land north of Tower Road to allow the development of the agricultural experiment station. Six new agricultural laboratory buildings were expanded to include a livestock center, sheep flock building, swine evaluation station, swine teaching complex, beef complex and agronomy and equipment storage.

1971

Intercollegiate livestock judging team continues to place among the top five nationally. Intercollegiate crops judging team and soils judging team also formed.

Alpha Gamma Sigma establishes the Western Illinois University chapter.

1972

Dr. Rodney J. Fink is named head of the Department.

1974

Swine evaluation program is in great demand by Illinois swine producers. Seed stock producers enter young pigs in this program where they undergo competitive testing processes. The station tests boards and slaughter hogs for rate of gain, feed efficiency, carcass quality and structural soundness. Each breeder tests two littermate boars and one or two slaughter pigs per test period and pay an entry fee of $100.00 per litter. They also pay for all veterinary expenses incurred by the litter, feed consumed, and the pro-rated share of the auction sale expenses. Two test periods of approximately six month duration each year are conducted. Following the test periods, a public auction is held, usually two at the end of each test period, a total of four per year. Approximately 9,600 head, valued at over a half million dollars, have been evaluated since the program began in 1958. Over the years, 1,300 different producers have been involved in the testing program. WIU is the only educational institution in the state that operates a swine evaluation station.

1975

Dr. Loren K. Robinson named head of the Department.

The number of undergraduate students enrolled in agriculture totals 579.

1976

Urban forestry is initiated as an area of specialization.

1977

Dr. H. Edward Breece is named head of the Department.

The number of undergraduate students enrolled in agriculture totals 497.

1979

The number of undergraduate students enrolled in agriculture totals 375.

1980s

1989

Dr. G.E. Carlson is named head of the Department.

1990s

1992

The Sigma Alpha chapter is established.

1994

Ag Vocators established a team of agriculture students who promote agriculture and WIU to high school and post-secondary students.

1995

Dr. Danny E. Terry is named head of the Department.

Knoblauch Hall is renovated.

1999

Dr. Lawrence Kerr and his wife Judith Kerr donated 219 acres to the Department. The donation included a house, barns, grain bins and other structures.

2000s

2000

Dr. Win Phippen added the alternative crops program to the curriculum with emphasis on plant breeding for alternative crops.

2003

Dr. Andrew J. Baker is named interim chair of the Department.

The first Department of Agriculture Open House takes place to recruit prospective new students.

2005

Dr. William C. Bailey is named head of the Department

2010s

2009

The Department of Agriculture is designated as The School of Agriculture.

The School of Agriculture Advisory Board is established with 12 members.

2010

The School of Agriculture Facebook account is established.

2012

Field pennycress “W12” exclusive license agreement.

2014

Dr. Andrew J. Baker is named head of the Department.

Martin O’Connor is named College of Business and Technology Distinguished Alumnus

School of Agriculture enrollment is at 366.

Field pennycress “Spring 32” exclusive license agreement.

2015

Phase 1 of the Greenhouse Complex is completed (two 16’x48’ structures).

The School of Agriculture is selected as the national winner in the College Aggies online competition sponsored by the American Animal Alliance group.

Field pennycress “Spring 32” and “AK34W” European Plant Breeder rights.

The School of Agriculture Twitter account and blog is established

2016

Precision Ag curriculum is added along with a minor.

The sheep flock is artificially inseminated

The School of Agriculture is selected as the national winner in the College Aggies online competition sponsored by the American Animal Alliance group.

2017

Phase 2 of Greenhouse Complex is completed (one 16’x48’ structure added).

The “WIU Aggies” alumni group established along with the establishment of an alumni board.

The Instagram account is created.

A tiling project is completed at Kerr Farm on four research blocks to assist with nutrient management research.

The School of Agriculture is selected as the national winner in the College Aggies online competition sponsored by the American Animal Alliance group.

2019

The 100 year anniversary of WIU's first 4-year degree program in Agriculture.

2020s

2019

The 100 year anniversary of The School of Agriculture.