 The Smith Lever Act passed in 1914 not only played a vital role in agricultural education and the creation of the United States Extension Service, but the founding of the Illinois Agricultural Association, or Illinois Farm Bureau, in 1916.DeKalb, Kankakee, McHenry, Livingston, Will, DuPage, Kane and Tazewell counties all had organizations in place to assist in educating America's farmers.However, Tazewell County is credited with being the first county to use the name, "Illinois Farm Bureau."