calsfoundation@cals.org
June 18, 2011
In 1925, Jacob Hartz became a pioneer in soybean production when he arranged for the planting of the states first crop. Shortly afterward, he and business partner Alfred Thorell formed the Hartz-Thorell Supply Co. in Arkansas County, and, by 1927, they had built the states first seed cleaner. In 1936, they owned the states first seed-processing plant, located in Stuttgart (Arkansas County). That plant is shown in this 1940s photo.