Illinois Agriculture Boomed During World War I
During mobilization for World War I, a popular slogan was “food will win the war.” Illinois farmers took it to heart. In both years of American participation in the war, Illinois agriculture broke records for yield and crop value. The success was part of a comprehensive organization of statewide resources, and farming was near the top of the list.
The U.S. declared war on Germany on April 6, 1917, and five months later, a statewide plan for Illinois food production and conservation was implemented. The plan was under the State Council of Defense, a fifteen-member collection of state leaders that served as a “clearinghouse” for public and private agencies. The SCD was appointed by Gov. Frank Lowden and chaired by Samuel Insull, the energetic president of Commonwealth Edison in northern Illinois. Each county in Illinois had its own committee for food production and conservation. With a wave of patriotism sweeping the nation, everyone seemed to pitch in, including farmers.
Farm labor was seen as a key problem, as rural workers were being lost to service, and demands for Illinois crops were expected to increase. As a result, the SCD supported the United States Boys’ Working Reserve, which helped enroll males between 16-21 for farm work, and give them basic instruction. The SCD also oversaw a lesson plan on farm work that became part of the curriculum of all Illinois high schools. The plan was so effective that it was copied by other states, and produced some 20,000 boys across Illinois for farm work. Middle-aged and older men with farm training were also encouraged to return to agriculture. Existing labor was shifted to areas of greater need. When drought conditions in southern Illinois caused a surplus of corn huskers, some were shipped to northern and central Illinois, where help was needed.
https://www.riverbender.com/articles/details/illinois-agriculture-boomed-during-world-war-i-56636.cfm