Explore a growing collection of materials that document the history, research, and cultural impact of the Morrow Plots. This collection brings together news stories, historic and contemporary photographs, videos, and archival artifacts that trace the evolution of the plots and the discoveries they have made possible. In addition, the University of Illinois Archives maintains an online guide to preserve the legacy of the Morrow Plots for future generations.
The Morrow Plots Notebook
One of the most significant records of the Morrow Plots’ early work, the Morrow Plots Notebook (ca. 1876–1913, 1967) offers a rare window into the origins of the nation’s longest-running agricultural experiment. The notebook documents early crop rotations, fertilizer treatments, and field observations from “Experiment 23,” detailing which crops were grown in specific plots and how practices evolved over time. These handwritten records capture the foundations of long-term agricultural research at Illinois and preserve the scientific decisions that continue to shape discovery today.
The Morrow Plots: A Century of Learning
Published during the centennial celebration of the Morrow Plots, The Morrow Plots: A Century of Learning (1982) reflects on the first 100 years of research conducted on these historic fields. Produced by the University of Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station, this report documents key discoveries on crop rotation, soil fertility, and long-term agricultural productivity, capturing how decades of continuous research shaped modern farming practices. The publication offers a snapshot of the scientific knowledge, stewardship, and agricultural insight generated by the Morrow Plots during their first century of discovery.
1938 Yearbook of Agriculture: Safeguarding America’s Soil for Future Generations
The 1938 Yearbook of Agriculture, published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, explores soil science and conservation during a pivotal era shaped by the Dust Bowl, emphasizing sustainable land management and erosion control. The volume also references the University of Illinois’ Morrow Plots on page 411, highlighting their importance in advancing long-term research on soil fertility and crop production.
Morrow Plots Infographic
Created by Sandi Caldrone in 2022, this infographic traces the evolution of the Morrow Plots, the oldest experimental crop field in the Americas. It illustrates changes in plot divisions, crop rotations, and research phases since 1876, along with a timeline highlighting key moments in the plots’ history and scientific impact.
Morrow Plots Archival Images
Published during the centennial celebration of the Morrow Plots, The Morrow Plots: A Century of Learning (1982) reflects on the first 100 years of research conducted on these historic fields. Produced by the University of Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station, this report documents key discoveries in crop rotation, soil fertility, and long-term agricultural productivity, and captures how decades of continuous research have shaped modern farming practices. The publication offers a snapshot of the scientific knowledge, stewardship, and agricultural insight generated by the Morrow Plots during their first century of discovery. A selection of these images is provided below.
A Selection of Archival Images
Source: Illinois Archives
Source: Illinois Archives
Source: Illinois Archives
Source: Illinois Archives
Source: Illinois Archives
A Selection of Contemporary Images
Credit: Andy Savage / U. of I.
Credit: Fred Zwicky / U. of I.
High-resolution photos and captions are available upon request from news@aces.illinois.edu.
Morrow Plots Media
Library Friends Webinar: 100 Years of Morrow Plots Data
Meet the scientists currently managing the Morrow Plots and their colleagues who helped bring the data (gathered from a handwritten archival notebook, printed farm reports, and decades of digital records) together. See some of the most fascinating historical records documenting the plots and learn why this enduring experiment at the heart of campus is still scientifically significant today.
Watch on Media SpaceMorrow Plots Overview
Hear from former Director of Crop Sciences Research and Education Centers Allen Parrish as he shares the history, significance, and scientific impact of the Morrow Plots in this presentation from Digital Agronomy Day 2020.
Watch it on YouTube“The Morrow Plots Song”
Enjoy “The Morrow Plots Song” by the University of Illinois a cappella group The Other Guys — a beloved campus tradition celebrating the history, humor, and cultural legacy of this iconic landmark.
Read the Origin StoryWhen the Morrow Plots Come to Life: A 1947 Radio Portrait of Illinois’ Historic Fields
A 1947 episode of Illini Unlimited offers a vivid introduction to the University of Illinois’ Morrow Plots, the nation’s oldest continuous agricultural research fields. In this nine-minute segment, speaker Wilson Hall brings the historic plots to life by personifying each field, describing their distinct histories, soil treatments, and crop rotations while explaining how long-term experiments reveal the effects of different farming practices over time. Blending storytelling with scientific insight, the program highlights the Morrow Plots’ role in advancing agricultural knowledge and reflects the university’s early leadership in research that serves farmers and the public.
Do you have artifacts to add to this lineup? Reach out to let us know at news@aces.illinois.edu.