The fertile land of the Nishnabotna Valley was created when prehistoric glaciers deposited a base for the rich, thick soil which built up through the centuries and made Iowa famous for its corn and soybeans.
Settlers from the great Mormon migration recognized the potential of the fertile Nishna Valley and established the village of Manti in the area in 1852.
Agriculture became a significant part of southwest Iowa living. Seed and nursery businesses flourished. Radio stations KMA and KFNF broadcast farm-related information to thousands of rural farm families starting in the 1920's. Jessie Field Shanbaugh, sister of Henry Field, founded the 4-H Clubs of America to teach young people about agriculture.
Shenandoah played a vital role in the early development of hybrid seed corn. During the mid 1930's, J. R. McNeilly, an early hybridizer, sold hybrid seed corn through the nurseries of Earl May and Henry Field. Under the auspices of the United Nations, John Nicholson brought agronomists to Shenandoah from all over Europe to study hybrid seed corn production at his company, United Hybrid Corn Growers. When the DeKalb plant opened in 1941, southwest Iowa became a leading producer of hybrid corn.
Southwest Iowa agriculture has continued to evolve with increased attention given to environmental conservation. Contemporary practice reduces soil erosion by terracing and various tillage methods, and controls pests with methods that decrease the use of pesticides. Agriculture also focuses on safely turning animal waste products into resources. These solutions are helping agriculture survive in southwest Iowa.
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