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The Kernel and the Bean
Traces the history of an Illinois corn and soybean company and the family that founded it
315 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1982
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 10, 2017
Fascinating look at where Staley began and its evolution up until 1981. As a current employee located at the building described as the Castle in the Cornfields, it deepened my appreciation of the lengths it took to get where it is today.
June 7, 2020
I really enjoyed learning about the history of this company and Decatur.
January 25, 2026
This is an exceptional history of the Staley company in the agricultural industry.
It begins with a cursory introduction that does set the stage for the contents of the book. Then we meet Augustus Eugene Staley, "Gene", the father of the company. As a brief side note, groups of black and white pictures are interspersed throughout the book, and these pictures do add a very pleasant, visual illustration of people and places presented throughout the book. Gene begins his career as a salesman. As he is getting more skill in the sales industry, he begins to see possibilities to further capitalize on certain agricultural products. Gene makes his first two hires, and we then see him get married as well.
As Gene continues to succeed, he has to expand his capabilities. He is able to purchase a closed plant in Decatur, and this is where he begins his full scale production. Gene was also selling stock in the company so that he could afford to continue producing and profiting from his efforts. The reader is also introduced to some of the plant technicians that helped the early effort succeed.
Next, the influence of Staley is nicely explored and detailed in regard to baseball and football. Although Gene probably had a greater interest in baseball, we see how the Decatur Staley's became the Chicago Bears and get to meet George Halas in the process.
Next, Gene expands his production to include soybeans. This was risky and innovative, but it created another revenue stream that was revolutionary and brilliant and effective in the further development of the company. In this process, Gene needed access to water. How to do this? Jim was able to convince the city government of Decatur to build a lake so that that lake water could be directed to his factory to aid in the manufacturing process. This wasn't the only addition to Decatur, though! Gene was also able to convince the Decatur city government to aid in the financing of the viaduct which allowed much better access to all the materials the company would need. Finally, Gene has a headquarters building constructed. This "Castle in the cornfields" construction is still an icon in the Decatur community today.
Next, the production and success of Staley is examined through the decades. The reader sees how Staley is gaining recognition in the stock market. The physical decline of Gene and his health failings are then explored. But Gene does an excellent job of ensuring continuity and success for the business in directing his son, Gus, to take control.
The difference is between Gus and Gene are detailed effectively. Ironically, despite the significant differences in the two personalities, Gus was able to achieve success similar to Gene in Gus' time as CEO of Staley. Humorous anecdotes are included to humanize Gus and his revulsion of coffee--both for golf himself and all of the Staley employees! We also see how World War II affected production at Staley.
Next, the 1950s are explored. This includes some innovative work that was done to ensure the success of Staley through the years. Also, it begins the introduction of the first non-family leader of the company, Don Nordlund.
Next explored are the 1960s. The construction of a Decatur research center is detailed. This is also when Stanley begins to expand its locations throughout the world (England, Spain, Chili, Korea, to name a few) and America. We also see Staley move to the New York Stock Exchange where it would be traded. Here we also see the plant expand to begin to produce dextrose. Finally, we see Gus begin to maneuver himself out of the position of management as his health is deteriorating. We do also see the plant expand its input to include potatoes. Finally, the decade does conclude with the difficult, heated, humorous-in-hindsight process of air conditioning the castle in the cornfields building!
Next, the retail efforts for Staley are explored. This was an enlightening journey. Despite concentrated effort, Staley was eventually able to realize that this was not the best avenue for the company, and all of those retail products were eventually sold or dissolved.
Finally, the story wraps up with Staley and the expansion into high fructose corn syrup. Again, it is an enlightening and insightful examination of the risk/reward investment that was made. Ironically, it is also touches on an attempted 1975 takeover of Staley by a larger company--H. J. Heinz. This is ironic because in 1988 the Staley company was sold to Tate and Lyle. Regardless, Staley did avoid the H. J. Heinz takeover in 1975. Lastly, the success and glowing outlook for the Staley company wraps up the history.
Overall, this is a fantastic read for anyone interested in the history of the Staley company, a brief introduction to the Chicago Bears, and to the success of the Staley family.
It begins with a cursory introduction that does set the stage for the contents of the book. Then we meet Augustus Eugene Staley, "Gene", the father of the company. As a brief side note, groups of black and white pictures are interspersed throughout the book, and these pictures do add a very pleasant, visual illustration of people and places presented throughout the book. Gene begins his career as a salesman. As he is getting more skill in the sales industry, he begins to see possibilities to further capitalize on certain agricultural products. Gene makes his first two hires, and we then see him get married as well.
As Gene continues to succeed, he has to expand his capabilities. He is able to purchase a closed plant in Decatur, and this is where he begins his full scale production. Gene was also selling stock in the company so that he could afford to continue producing and profiting from his efforts. The reader is also introduced to some of the plant technicians that helped the early effort succeed.
Next, the influence of Staley is nicely explored and detailed in regard to baseball and football. Although Gene probably had a greater interest in baseball, we see how the Decatur Staley's became the Chicago Bears and get to meet George Halas in the process.
Next, Gene expands his production to include soybeans. This was risky and innovative, but it created another revenue stream that was revolutionary and brilliant and effective in the further development of the company. In this process, Gene needed access to water. How to do this? Jim was able to convince the city government of Decatur to build a lake so that that lake water could be directed to his factory to aid in the manufacturing process. This wasn't the only addition to Decatur, though! Gene was also able to convince the Decatur city government to aid in the financing of the viaduct which allowed much better access to all the materials the company would need. Finally, Gene has a headquarters building constructed. This "Castle in the cornfields" construction is still an icon in the Decatur community today.
Next, the production and success of Staley is examined through the decades. The reader sees how Staley is gaining recognition in the stock market. The physical decline of Gene and his health failings are then explored. But Gene does an excellent job of ensuring continuity and success for the business in directing his son, Gus, to take control.
The difference is between Gus and Gene are detailed effectively. Ironically, despite the significant differences in the two personalities, Gus was able to achieve success similar to Gene in Gus' time as CEO of Staley. Humorous anecdotes are included to humanize Gus and his revulsion of coffee--both for golf himself and all of the Staley employees! We also see how World War II affected production at Staley.
Next, the 1950s are explored. This includes some innovative work that was done to ensure the success of Staley through the years. Also, it begins the introduction of the first non-family leader of the company, Don Nordlund.
Next explored are the 1960s. The construction of a Decatur research center is detailed. This is also when Stanley begins to expand its locations throughout the world (England, Spain, Chili, Korea, to name a few) and America. We also see Staley move to the New York Stock Exchange where it would be traded. Here we also see the plant expand to begin to produce dextrose. Finally, we see Gus begin to maneuver himself out of the position of management as his health is deteriorating. We do also see the plant expand its input to include potatoes. Finally, the decade does conclude with the difficult, heated, humorous-in-hindsight process of air conditioning the castle in the cornfields building!
Next, the retail efforts for Staley are explored. This was an enlightening journey. Despite concentrated effort, Staley was eventually able to realize that this was not the best avenue for the company, and all of those retail products were eventually sold or dissolved.
Finally, the story wraps up with Staley and the expansion into high fructose corn syrup. Again, it is an enlightening and insightful examination of the risk/reward investment that was made. Ironically, it is also touches on an attempted 1975 takeover of Staley by a larger company--H. J. Heinz. This is ironic because in 1988 the Staley company was sold to Tate and Lyle. Regardless, Staley did avoid the H. J. Heinz takeover in 1975. Lastly, the success and glowing outlook for the Staley company wraps up the history.
Overall, this is a fantastic read for anyone interested in the history of the Staley company, a brief introduction to the Chicago Bears, and to the success of the Staley family.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews