History Timeline of Ag 450 Farm
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1938 | Dr. William Murray develops the idea of a student managed farm as part of their collegiate experience that emphasize concepts and practices learned in the classroom. |
| 1942 | 187 acre farm (present location of home farm) purchased for $150 per acre (early photos). |
| 1943 | First class offered by College of Agriculture during winter quarter with Dr. Murray as instructor; enrollments eventually peaked at 20 students prior to war. |
| 1950 | First tractor was purchased by students (Farmall C) and was used exclusively for farm chores. |
| 1950s | Field equipment was added to the operation. |
| 1959 | House was moved from central campus to the farm and a classroom was set up in the basement. |
| 1960s | Enterprises on farm included: corn, soybeans, oats, swine, beef cattle feeding, and beef cows. |
| 1965 | Constructed swine barn. |
| 1967 | Purchased grain leg and drying equipment. |
| 1970 | Constructed machine shed located near the grain bins. |
| 1974 | Constructed open-front swing finishing building. |
| 1976 | Full line of crop equipment was completed. |
| 1977 | Constructed farrowing house (west side). |
| 1978 | Constructed nursery unit on east side of the confinement farrowing house. |
| 1983 | First computer was used on the farm. |
| 1984 | Purchased Brooks Farm (50.5 acres) through the ISU Achievement Foundation. |
| 1986 | Constructed feed mill building and purchased mix mill system. |
| 1988 | Classroom was constructed from farm funds. |
| 1989 | A second machine shed was constructed at the north end of the farm. |
| 1992 | An open-front livestock shed was added. |
| 1993 | The Norman farm was purchased from the Norman family for $76,000. Thirty-eight acres were added at a cost of $2000 per acre. The farm was financed by the ISU Foundation. Six additional government bins were added to the grain storage system. |
| 1995 | A fire in the old farrowing/nursery barn destroyed the building and approximately 600 head of sows and pigs. A used combine (JD 7720 with JD 643 corn head) was added to the equipment line. The computer system at the farm was upgraded with a larger and more efficient microcomputer added to replace older units. |
| 1996 | New 300 head nursery was constructed; farrowing/nursery building was remodeled into a confinement farrowing house; new three car garage was constructed by students; row crop equipment moved to a 12 row system. |
| 1997 | New 1200 head capacity swing finishing building was completed (primary contractor was Hog Slat, Humboldt, Iowa which donated $23,810 of building materials and labor towards this project); purchased 1996 Case IH 5240 tractor with Westendorf loader. |
| 1998 | Record low hog prices in December. |
| 2000 | Grant received for computers for precession farming. |
| 2001 | Livestock barn converted into a 139 head capacity gestation building. |
| 2002 | A compost pile was constructed for the farm. |
| 2003 | Gift from Pearl Edna Rathman Trust used in construction of new computer laboratory and office; started leasing a JD8320 tractor; purchased John Deere 9600 Combine and Brent 420 auger wagon; celebrated 60th Anniversary. |
| 2005 | Purchased John Deere Garden Tractor with 62 inch deck. |
| 2006 | Purchased Case IH Field Cultivator; Dr. Charles Steiner named Assistant Professor and Instructor in charge of Ag450 Farm; ground breaking for the new agriculture mechanics shop started in the fall. |
| 2007 | All livestock removed from the farm since the creation of the Ag4 50 Farm. This allowed for a thorough cleaning to get ready for contract feeding. New Ag Shop constructed. |
| 2008 | New Ag Shop completed. Construction and filling of new grain bin. Resided tin buildings and expanded original machine shed. New farm sign installed with new Iowa State logo. |
| 2009 | Students are in process of assessing needs and implementing plans to ensure a bright future for the Ag 450 Farm. |
| 2010 | Purchased new 30 foot bean platform. Purchased 9660 combine. |
| 2011 | 100th anniversary of Agriculture Education at ISU. Tailgate and farm tours held during homecoming week. |
| 2012 | Upgraded tillage equipment by trading in the field cultivator. |
| 2013 | Purchased John Deere 1770 16 row planter. |
| 2014 | Purchased John Deere 512 V ripper. |
| 2015 | Purchased John Deere 325E skid loader. Purchased John Deere 9770 combine. Class approved MC 520 dryer project. |
| 2016 | First year dryer was used during harvest. |
| 2017 | Purchased John Deere 608C corn head. Purchased 2 gravity wagons. Replaced the upstairs windows in the farm managers house. Removed shrubs around classroom and added new xeriscape. Approved new tile work in the Annex Field. |
| Future Goals | Celebration of the 75th Anniversary New classroom Electrical grid update Purchase additional row crop acres Increase hog enterprise |