1925-1929 Independence Grows

In 1925, the USDA declared that extension personnel could no longer consider time and travel expenses for such organizations as part of their job. Professor J.C. Hackleman, Illinois Crop’s Founding Father, was part of Extension, and as a result, the duties of secretary passed to elected board members. Illinois Crop’s 50-year history states that the change “was welcomed by all as seed organizations of this kind were reaching maturity, commercial in nature and meeting the goal of being a service that was self-sustaining.” This policy change “set many crop improvements on a path to independence.” In 1926, the Illinois Corn Breeders Association also joined the Illinois Crop Improvement Association. Starting in 1929, the Illinois Crop Improvement Association Certification Committee met with University of Illinois Agronomy staff members. This group made variety recommendations, set certification procedures , and was later known as the Advisory Committee. Seed certification was now integral to maintaining what plant breeders were developing and disseminating to farmers.