Archival Collections

 University of Illinois Library Archives Related to Agricultural Communications

The Agricultural Communications Documentation Center collaborates closely with the University of Illinois Archives, which serves as home for the records of major professional organizations in this field of interest. These archived collections give you access to a remarkable history of agricultural journalism and communications in the U.S. and beyond. The information dates back more than a century. You will also find archived collections involving five U.S. agricultural photographers, journalists, and communicators, spanning 1919-2015.

ASSOCIATION COLLECTIONS

Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT) Archives
1968-2008. Series No. 41/67/503
http://archives.library.illinois.edu/archon/index.php?p=collections/controlcard&id=2977

American Agricultural Editors’ Association (AAEA) Archives
AAEA Publications, 1945- Series No.8/3/101
AAEA Adminstrative Correspondence, 1944-2002 Series No. 8/3/102
AAEA Historical File, 1949-58,1978-97 Series No. 8/3/103
AAEA Photographs, 1934-2005 Series No. 8/3/104
American Agricultural Editors’ Association Photography Awards and Workshops File, 1970-75, 1992-96, 1998, 2000 Series No. 8/3/105

Agricultural Publishers Association (APA) Archives
1915-1994. Series No. 8/3/80
http://archives.library.illinois.edu/archon/index.php?p=collections/controlcard&id=3088

Agricultural Relations Council (ARC) Archives
Recent deposit in the University Archives.
Finding aid not yet available.
http://archives.library.illinois.edu

Farm-City Council Archives
Recent deposit in the University Archives.
Finding aid not yet available.
http://archives.library.illinois.edu

National Association of Farm Broadcasters (NAFB) Archives
http://archives.library.illinois.edu/guides/nafb/nafb.htm
Series No. 8/3/88, Publications, 1944-
Including CHATS Yearbooks and Directories Insider’s Report , and Signal .
Series No. 8/3/89, Official NAFB Historian’s Records, 1937, 1943-1998 Documenting the origin and growth of the NAFB.
Series No. 8/3/90, NAFB Subject File, 1941-1998
Containing member biographies, promotional literature, and photographs.
Series No. 8/3/91, Dix Harper Papers, 1947, 1951-52, 1957-1991
Papers of Dix Harper, president of NAFB (1988).
Series No. 8/3/92, NAFB Audio, Video Recordings, and CD-ROM Media, 1952-1998
Containing audio, video, and CD-ROM materials produced by the NAFB.
Series No. 8/3/93, NAFB – Farm Broadcasters’ Papers, 1931-1951
Continuing papers from Dana D. Reynolds and Don Lerch.

Turf and Ornamental Communicators Association (TOCA) Archives
Recent deposit in the University Archives.
Finding aid not yet available.
http://archives.library.illinois.edu

INDIVIDUAL COLLECTIONS

James F. Evans Papers
1947-2015. Series No. 8/3/36
http://archives.library.illinois.edu/archon/index.php?p=collections/controlcard&id=11386

Claude W. Gifford Papers
1919-2004. Series No. 8/3/81
http://archives.library.illinois.edu/archon/index.php?p=collections/controlcard&id=10682

Dix Harper Papers
1947-1991. Series No. 8/3/91
http://archives.library.illinois.edu/archon/index.php?p=collections/controlcard&id=4897

Clement F. Marley Photographs
1956-1976. Series No. 26.20/79
http://archives.library.illinois.edu/archon/index.php?p=creators/creator&id=1352

John L. Strom Papers
1927-1987. Series No. 26/20/75
http://archives.library.illinois.edu/archon/index.php?p=collections/controlcard&id=43 91


Although primarily focused on current grey literature, the ACDC also has a few important archival collections. These materials represent the history of agricultural communications and publishing. Due to the nature of these materials, appointments must be made to see these items in-person.

 The Volume One Number One Collection

Prairie_Farmer_resizedVolume One, Number One collection currently contains more than 800 volume one, number one and special edition issues of agricultural journals, magazines, and other serials. Currently the collection is made up of donated materials from John Harvey, a widely-respected U.S. agricultural journalist and Jim Evans, professor emeritus of the University of Illinois and ACDC Associate. The collection also contains Special Editions, Rare Serials, and Historical items related to agricultural publishing, bringing the collection to nearly 1800 items. Due to the sensitive and fragile nature of many of these materials, appointments must be made to see these items in-person. A finding aid for the entire collection is available here . Check with us at acdc@library.illinois.edu for further information as the collection is maintained at the Center.

Oscars in Agriculture Collection

This collection offers a unique view of some of the nation’s most honored agricultural reporting during 1987-2002. The respected Oscars in Agriculture competition recognized excellence in agricultural reporting in newspapers, magazines, radio, and television. It was administered during that period by the Agricultural Communications Program at the University of Illinois. Files in the collection include not only administrative information, but also the award-winning entries (newspaper and magazine articles, television programs, and radio programs). They can serve as a basis for historical research involving topics and approaches to media reporting about agriculture during that period. A finding aid for this collection is available here. Check with us at acdc@library.illinois.edu for further information as the collection is maintained in the Center.