Glenn and Joan Mittelberg were fourth generation farm owners in Ellington township, Adams County, Illinois. The farm west and south of Fowler was originally settled by Johan Fridrich Mittelberg, who was born in Germany in 1832 and immigrated to the United States in the 1850's. The Mittelbergs farmed 123 acres and raised cattle, hogs, chickens, corn, wheat, oats,
and hay.

As a youngster, Glenn became involved in the local 4 H group and developed an interest in raising Duroc hog breeding stock. He won numerous awards through the 4H program at the state and national level, once showing the largest young barrow in the state at over 1,000 pounds. On the farm, he maintained 100 head of hogs, 40 beef cattie, and 200 laying hens.

At age 19, he became a member of the newly formed Adams County Fair Board, the youngest farmer in the group. Up until that time, various town gatherings were held across the county for farmers to share knowledge concerning the latest farming methods. The newly formed board wished to establish a permanent site for the fair to be held in one location for all of Adams County to participate. Glenn and two other fair board members financially supported the fair so that eventually land could be purchased and buildings erected to permanently house the Adams County Fair in the vicinity of Mendon.

As farming methods were rapidly changing and emphasis was growing on soil conservation, Glenn and Joan sold the 123 acres to his cousin, Roger Mittelberg, a Moormans executive and Glenn became quite skilled at installing terraces and clearing land for larger farming to come. Many ponds and fields in Adams County are now productive acres with water sources thanks to Glenn Mittelberg's skill and foresight.