Bayer M useum of President Dan Taylor A griculture Volume 13, Issue 1 – June 2014 Deluxe Edition PHASE II CONSTRUCTION IS COMPLETE Vice President Patti Jones Treasurer Waylon Carroll Executive Director Lacee Hoelting Board of Directors Alton Brazell Ron Chandler Vic Coker Don Harris Mitchell Harris Pat Jones Lee Ruth Krieg Steve Moffett Clint Robinson Dale Swinburn Brett Underwood Tommy Woolam Interns Kirby Kennedy Tad Menefee Photo by Jay Hurst Secretary Curtis Griffith Just under 12 months after breaking ground on Phase II construction, museum staff received the keys to the new addition. Phase II includes the Plains Cotton Growers Conference Center with seating for 300, the main exhibit hall with gift shop and front desk, the catering kitchen, the outdoor patio, additional office space, storage and a volunteer break room. While the exhibit hall is not yet open to the public, the Plains Cotton Growers Conference Center had over 2,000 visitors attending different events during the month of April. The first event in the new facility was the Texas Cotton Ginners Association member reception on April 2. On April 3, the museum hosted part of a progressive dinner for 200 museum professionals from Texas and New Mexico in conjunction with the Texas Association of Museums Conference. April 4-5 brought several hundred people for the grand unveiling of the new John Deere CS690 cotton stripper and round module builder. Additional events that month included Hurst Farm Supply’s equipment showcase, and gin Bayer Museum of Agriculture meetings for Liberty and Idalou Co-op Gins. The museum will continue to host events while exhibits are being built and added to the main exhibit hall. These exhibits include an interactive major crops exhibit, a cotton stripper simulator, an irrigation exhibit, and an exhibit by Bayer Crop Science on the science of agriculture with a focus on cotton production. The Bayer Museum of Agriculture aims to open the new exhibit hall sometime this summer. In the meantime, guests are encouraged to walk through the new addition to see the restored crop duster and look at the new space. Top to Bottom: Drone photo taken during Hurst event, Soon-to-be Main entrance, Ambrosia Catering is the first group to use the new kitchen, TCGA reception breaks in the new building, TAM members enjoy a reception in the new conference center. Page 1 NEW MEMBERS & RENEWALS * denotes new membership SOD BUSTER Ronnie Aston* Buster’s Gin, LLC Matt & Diane Farmer Steve & Delores Greer Anita Hancock Lone Star State Bank McWhorter’s Ltd. New Home Co-op Gin Owen’s Co-op Gin TTU - College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources West Texas Running Club CREW BOSS Glasscock County Co-op Horizon Builders NAMMCO Machine, LLC* George Sides James & Jackie Smith South Plains Electric Co-op Darrell Taylor Texas Star Co-op Gin Tule Creek Gin TOP HAND 6S Land & Cattle Company Terry & Sherri Adcock Joe F. Anthony James Becton* William Bennett Bozeman Machinery Eric Englund* Mike & Felicia Fillingim Harold & Melva Flournoy Harvey & Joyce Garrison Benny & Judy Gray Mitchell & Pat Harris Paul & Melissa Hunter Terry & Sherri Hurst Wanda James Patti Jones Don & Carolyn Kimbrell* Dan & Lee Ruth Krieg Melvin & Tina Macha Travis & Kay Mires Rekerdres & Sons Insurance Agency Charles & Jerry Beth Shannon Jack Sides South Plains Roofing & Remodeling Dale & Debbie Taylor Dan & Linda Wall FAMILY Albert “Shorty” & Wanda Agnew* Bob & Donna Albin Gary & Cynthia Bell Scotty & Carla Bessent Tony Bishop* Kenneth & Shirley Braden Bob & Elena Brown A Word from the Board BMA Board Member - Lee Ruth Krieg I am not a native West Texan, but I got here as soon as I could. I grew up on a farm in Central Texas. While my dad farmed, his primary vocation was that of builder. My mom taught first grade for most of her career. I graduated from Rice University in May 1965 and married Daniel Krieg in December. We spent several days of our honeymoon snowed in in Lubbock. Little did we realize that we would soon become Lubbock Residents in 1970. Daniel received his Ph. D. in Plant Physiology from Texas A&M in January 1970 and became a Texas Tech faculty member in March. Both of our daughters were born in Lubbock. Andrea, our older daughter, is working on her Ph.D. at Texas Tech. Her sister, Dana, works for Ernst & Young in Dallas. While we’ve been in Lubbock, I’ve worked with the Girl Scouts and served on the Caprock Council board of directors. I was a parent volunteer and a substitute teacher in the Lubbock ISD. I was a Grant Committee member for the LISD Foundation for Excellence. While Dana attended Texas A&M, I was a member and officer of Aggie Moms. Currently I am a member of Altrusa International of Lubbock, a women’s service organization, and I serve on the state board of directors of Lutheran Social Services of the South. Being involved with the museum has been an exhilarating experience. Board members are committed to telling the story of agriculture in a first-class facility that all of us can be proud of. One of the most rewarding moments for me is watching the reaction of a first-time visitor. I believe we’re a success! Sincerely, Lee Ruth Krieg State FFA Officers Visit Museum As part of a series of business and industry tours, two of the Texas FFA officers spent the day in Lubbock. State President, Ryon Cox from Mt. Pleasant and State 1st Vice President, Shelby Eckhardt from Seguin, started their day with a tour of CEV Multimedia, followed by lunch at City Bank with bank representatives and Bayer Museum of Agriculture staff and board president, Dan Taylor. Curtis Griffith, Chairman of City Bank and chair of the museum’s Capital Campaign, hosted the lunch. The last stop on their tour was the Bayer Museum of Agriculture. Dan and Lacee showed them the sights and they Bayer Museum of Agriculture spent several minutes exchanging FFA stories with Alton Brazell, a former state officer and member of the 1948 National FFA officer team. Alton assured Ryon and Shelby that the jackets hadn’t changed all that much. The Bayer Museum of Agriculture would like to thank Ryon and Shelby for stopping by. We wish them the best of luck as they pass on the torch to a new set of officers at the Texas FFA Convention, July 15-18 in Fort Worth, Texas. Top: Current & Past FFA Officers catch up Bottom: Dan Taylor takes a photo with the officers. Dan also serves on the Texas FFA Foundation Board Page 2 Chili Feed Gives Members First Look at Phase II FAMILY CONTINUED Kevin Buxkemper Daniel & Zada Cave Marvin & Tommye Cepica Gary Chesnutt Steve Claus* Ben & Jauana Colburn Don Crump JimmieDavis Chris Deberry Bob Durham Bennie & Carole Edwards Jim & Sue Faulkner John Ford* Don & Jody Foreman Kim Fulks* James & Meghan Gandy* Jim Gerlt* James & Kathy Gilbreath, Jr. Top Left: Jim Johnson Bob & Sue Graham & Joe Embry present Bob & Marianna Graves donation ot museum, Cole & Kyla Hamilton Topt Right: Alton Brazell Hayden & Emily does quality control. Hargrave Middle:The ForgetDon & Barbara Harris Me-Nots pose with Sammy & Marilyn Harris Lacee, Bottom: Museum Phil & Shirley Harrist members take a tour of Lynn & Cindy Harrist new construction. Charles & Peggy Hastings Lynda Heinrich Robert & Henri Henson Farris and Monica Hightower - Winston Churchill Shyrle & K.W. Hill Arlen Hilton Edsel & Georgia Huie Rex & Nancy Isom Arwin & Cookee Johnson John Johnson Bobby & Jeanna Kauffman* Thursday, June 26, 2014 Don Kimbrell* Phillip & Juaneal Ice Cream Social from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Krambeck @ the museum, 1121 Canyon Lake Drive Harold, Billie & Randy Landrum Mr. & Mrs. Joe Langston Saturday, August 16, 2014 Robert & Kim Loveless Donnie & Ronda Maines* BMA Annual Membership Meeting Jett & Lynette Major @ the museum, 1121 Canyon Lake Drive Ray & Celia Mason Bill & Karin McCay Heath & Julie McGehee* Gary McKenzie Walter & Tracy Menzer Tuesday, September 23, 2014 Lon & Gertrude Miller A Night for the Museum featuring James and Sylvia Mitchell Wendell & Peggy Morrow Bob Phillips, The Texas Country Reporter Sally Murray @ the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center Todd Oliver Jimmy & Cherry Pitcock* Bobby & Anne Richey Red & Patricia Rivers Bonnie Schwarzentraub Around 130 people attended the annual chili feed on January 25 and got their first look at Phase II construction. Following the meal, Dan Taylor and Lacee Hoelting led people through the new exhibit hall and meeting room. They also pointed out where the catering kitchen, director’s office, volunteer break room and storage area would be. Lacee pointed out where the agricultural literacy wing would eventually connect once money is raised for Phase III construction. Chili was prepared by Jerry Spruill of Ag Texas Farm Credit and Dan and Lee Ruth Krieg brought tamales to go with the chili. Waylon Carroll handled the rest of the meal. The highlight of the event was a check presentation to the museum for $7,000.00, from the South Plains Antique Tractor Association, proceeds from their annual tractor show and raffle. “The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” Bayer Museum of Agriculture Page 3 FAMILY CONTINUED Frank & Margaret Sehon Henry & Sellie Shine* Jerry & Linda Singleton Carolyn Sowell Bo & Sheila Stephens* Jim & Doris Stewart Jerry & LeNora Stockton Wayne & Wanda Swart Joe Tarber* Dean & Gloria Taylor Keith Weid* INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS David Appling* Bobby Brock* Paul & Ellen Carlson Ron & Donita Harkey* Lynn Lewis* Charles Mason Thomas Musser Dwight and Sandra Roye Arlin Ryals Caleb Truax* Shirley White & Carolyn Culver QUARTERLY VOLUNTEERS Bill Adams Joe Anthony Alton Brazell Waylon Carroll Ron Chandler Vic Coker J.T. Drake Felicia Fillingim Jason Gandy Bob Graham Sue Graham Curtis Griffith Don Harris A.D. Hughes David Jones Pat Jones Patti Jones Linda King Phil Krambeck Lee Ruth Krieg Harold Landrum Lee Leonard Tina Macha Doyle McFerrin Tad Menefee Walter Menzer Weldon Menzer Steve Moffett C. Don Rhodes Red Rivers Clint Robinson Leonard Schmidt Jerry Spruill Wayne Swart Wanda Swart Dale Swinburn Dan Taylor Preston Upshaw Dale Winders Tommy Woolam Larry Work Stanley Young Lee Leonard Born and raised in Spade, Texas, our spotlight volunteer certainly has an impressive and diversified background in agriculture. Lee Leonard described his childhood on the farm as “learning to cut his teeth on a hoe handle.” Lee’s family farmed grain sorghum, wheat, cotton, and had a few head of livestock. In high school, Lee exhibited pigs and crops for FFA projects and received his Lone Star Farmer’s Degree. Lee graduated high school and attended Texas Tech as an agriculture education major and went to work for the Soil Conservation Service after graduation. Lee then went back to school and received his master’s degree in agronomy and worked at the Texas A&M Experiment Station. After receiving his master’s degree, Lee took a job as a small grains breeder for Anderson Clayton Company. In 1970, Lee moved to Leoti, Kansas and remained there for eight years doing testing and research on grain sorghum, corn, and alfalfa. Additionally, Lee set up a sunflower nursery during his time in Kansas. In 1978, Lee and his wife, Ginger, moved to Temple, Texas, and worked on developing hybrid cotton for Anderson Clayton (Paymaster). In 1980, Anderson Clayton sold its seed division to Cargill, making Lee an employee of Cargill. In 1985, Lee moved to Portland, Texas, and set up a research station for cotton and grain sorghum. In 1986, Lee switched to full-time grain sorghum research and breeding. Lee moved to Plainview, Texas, and continued his research from there and in 1997, became the director of grain sorghum research for Cargill. In 2000, Cargill’s seed divisions sold to Dow Chemical and Lee retired from there in 2001. Lee then went to work in logistics for Bayer Crop Science. Lee retired from Bayer in 2013. Lee married his wife, Ginger, in 1967 and they have three children: Michael, Rebecca, and Emily. Michael is a computer technician, Rebecca is a social worker, and Emily is a news anchor. Lee and Ginger have two grandchildren who are 12 years old and 6 months old. Lee and Ginger have lived in Lubbock since 2003 and Lee has been a museum volunteer for a year. “I enjoy working here, and especially doing research on the exhibits,” Lee said. Lee’s extensive background in seed and grain research makes him a unique and valued addition to our crew of volunteers at the Bayer Museum of Agriculture. Lee, thank you for all you do. Photo & Story by Kirby Kennedy Remember BMA for Next Year’s Field Trip Thank you to Abernathy ISD, Frenship’s Westwind Elementary and Ropesville ISD for their recent visits to our museum. We hope you come back and see us again. Left to Right: 1st graders pump water, Kirby reads Dr. Seuss, one of the Abernathy classes stops for a picture with the Titan Bayer Museum of Agriculture Page 4 A Restoration Story When Lacee Hoelting forwarded an email about a potential donation to Steve Moffett, she never imagined it would result in a feature exhibit at the Bayer Museum of Agriculture. The email discussed a crop duster in storage at Texas State Technical College in Waco, Texas that needed a new home. Lacee had always envisioned a crop duster hanging from the ceiling of the new museum and excitedly sent the email to Steve; a board member who she knew had The Ag Cat Story As taken from, “Grumman/ Schweizer AG-CAT,” written by Nick Pocock. The ancestry of the Ag-Cat includes a series of muscular warplanes produced by Grumman Iron Works. It first flew in 1957 following in the paw-prints of the Wildcat, Hellcat, Bearcat and Tigercat fighters of World War II. Though the fighters had been monoplanes, the AgCat returned to the biplane tradition of the pre-war Grummans. This layout had the rugged strength and other desirable qualities required for work as an agplane...which is an aircraft used in agriculture to dust, spray or seed crops. At the time, most “dusters” as they were called, were modified Stearman Kaydet biplanes- which were WWII trainers. The Ag-Cat was the first plane built from the ground up specifically for agricultural use. After the creation of two prototypes, the X1and X2, and a tour of the southern states, where the prototypes were tested by actual spray pilots, the first commercially available Grumman Ag-Cats were built by Schweizer Aircraft Corporation in Elmira, New York in 1959. his pilot’s license and a keen interest in aeronautics. She thought Steve could look into the plane further, but in less than three months, he had gone above and beyond. With the help of several volunteers, Steve hauled the plane to Lubbock. He got a paint job and new decals donated and repairs made to the wings. He went in search of and found a spray boom, pump, and pump propeller to complete the plane. Once word got out about the project, everything just seemed to fall into place. “I was given a budget of zero,” Steve says jokingly, “and I was determined to stick to it.” The plane, a 1958 Grumman Ag Cat, was installed the last week of March, just as construction was being finished. In the month of April, just over 2,000 visitors saw the plane as they attended various events in the new Plains Cotton Growers Conference Center. Future plans for this exhibit include development of a reader rail telling the history of the Ag Cat. The reader rail will include a touchscreen monitor with a series of videos documenting the museum’s story of acquiring, restoring, and suspending the plane at the museum. The video is currently being produced by Ramar Communications. The Bayer Museum of Agriculture is extremely grateful for the efforts of so many to bring this unique artifact to our new facility. THANK YOU The Bayer Museum of Agriculture has a Grumman Ag-Cat G164, which was the actual X2 prototype referenced in Pocock’s book. Photos by Lacee Hoelting Project Manager Steve Moffett - Lubbock Electric Co. Research Midtown Printing - John Frullo Plane Donation Texas State Technical College in Waco Provided Equipment/Parts Larry Neal, Terry Johnson, Vic Coker ASCO Equipment - Brax Wright & Mark Price CMH Manufacturing - Charles Hall Plane Transport & Storage G&G Avionics - Enrique Saa Hall Hangar - Charles Hall Lubbock Aero - Richard Casler Paint Job Prescision Body Works- Joey Brewer & Tony Brewer Decals and Fabric Wing Repair Signs on the Go - Gary Tucker & Terry Brown Bayer Museum of Agriculture Videography/Production Ramar Communications - Brad Moran, Charlie Whisner, Judy Stout, Ryan Detwiler Donated Time, Labor & Expertise John Boatwright, Butch Boyd, Tony Brown, Kevin Condren, Jon Fleming, Lynn Hughes, Alfred Mata, Domingo Mireles, Phuong Tran Page 5 Photo by Lacee Hoelting Photos by C. Don Rhodes Top Left: Jerry Spruill and Lee Ruth Krieg prepare the chili, Bottom Left: Tommy & Lynda Woolam at Party on the Prairie, Right: Guests enjoy the patio at the John Deere event in April. Top: Over 400 people came to farm bill meeting hosted by National Cotton Council at the museum, Left: Joe Barbour uses the Texas Farm Bureau mobile learning barn to educate first graders at the museum, Bottom: Dale and Cheryl Swinburn take a picture with their grandson at Party on the Prairie. Top: John Deere CS690 on display at John Deere Event, Right: Troy and Morgan Pickering enjoying their first event at the museum, chili feed, Bottom: A.D. Hughes, Lee Leonard and James Pendergrass help set up the conference center for a meeting. Bayer Museum of Agriculture Photo by C. Don Rhodes Photo by C. Don Rhodes Photo by Lacee Hoelting Drawings submitted by Abernathy First Grade Students Page 6 by Kirby Kennedy The round bale is a significant piece of cotton ginning history, which has been rarely seen since the beginning of World War II. German textile mills were the main user of round bales so when World War II broke out, the need for the round bale became obsolete. The round bale measured 35 inches in height and 22 inches in diameter. With a density of 28 pounds per cubic foot, the round bale was half the weight of a square bale at around 250 pounds. This round bale, donated by Frank Thompson, was ginned in 1929 and is believed to be the last remaining round bale in the United States. At that time, Frank’s Granddad (W.M. Marley) owned one of the largest gins in the world. The gin, located in Mart, Texas, consisted of 15 gin stands, three flat bale presses and three round bale presses. Frank started working at the gin when he was a young boy, and has continued in the cotton business to this day. In 1949, he started buying cottonseed for Brazos Valley Cotton Oil located in Waco, Texas. In 1962, Frank moved to West Texas to start Levelland Vegetable Oil. For the next 30 plus years Frank continued to buy cottonseed for the oil mill. Frank currently owns a majority Round Cotton Bale interest in Fiber Brite, a moteplant located in Wilson, Texas. He works alongside his son (Rick Thompson) and grandson (Kerry Thompson) making it a true family business. Regardless of the many positions Frank has held in the cotton industry the one thing that has remained a constant is his enjoyment of calling on the cotton gin managers and owners, which he counts as his best friends. Above: Round Bale on display in the Alton Brazell Exhibit Hall Bottom: From Left to Right, Kerry, Frank and Rick Thompson Sponsors and Volunteers make Party on the Prairie a Huge Success Every April, museum members and guests attend Party on the Prairie hosted by Dan and Linda Taylor. The Taylors open their barns for a wonderful meal and barn dance, and thanks to our sponsors and volunteers, everyone had a lovely evening. Throughout the evening, guests enjoyed oldfashion horse and surrey rides around the parking lot and grounds courtesy of Greg and Leon Pinkert of Top Left: Surrey Rides, Top Right: Dan & Linda Taylor enjoying the evening, Middle : David and Ronda Langston Slaton. Ag Texas Farm Credit grilled delicious steaks, which were accompanied by potatoes from Jeana’s Feedbag and Stanley Young and Waylon Caroll prepared the rest of the food including appetizers. Toes were tapping as soon as the meal was finished and guests headed to the east barn for music and dancing provided by the Hot Texas Band of Levelland. Before the night ended, several attendees took the opportunity to tour Dan Taylor’s personal cotton ginning museum, while other visitors fellowshipped around a campfire. With 180 people in attendance, the event raised just under $5,000 for the museum. BMA would like to Felicia Fillingim and Tina Macha for handling all of the event decorations, James Pendergrass and Clint Robinson for helping haul tables and chairs to Thank you to the Ropesville, and we would following sponsors: especially like to thank Dan and Linda Taylor for Ag Texas Steaks & Bottled Water opening up their home in support of the museum. Becknell Wholesale Wine Bottom Left: Buzz Varedeman & Bob Graham visit. Bottom Right: Ag Texas cooks up delicious steaks for the event. All Photos by C. Don Rhodes Bayer Museum of Agriculture Capital Farm Credit Band Page 7 Remembering Those Special To Us a unique way to honor or remember someone special Memorial and honorarium donation forms are available to print online. www.agriculturehistory.org/membership.php Forms can be found in the top, right-hand corner under the heading Forms/Downloads. Send your completed form and payment to Bayer Museum of Agriculture PO Box 505 Lubbock, TX 79408 In Memory of... Ruby Peter Amonett by Billy & Sandy Fortenberry B. L. Anderson Jr. by Kristofer Verett Owen Barron by Sparenberg Gin Inc. Eugene Becknell By Jim & Sue Faulkner Eugene Becknell by Idalou Co-op Gin Eugene Becknell by Dan & Lee Ruth Krieg Eugene Becknell by Dan & Linda Taylor Coy Biggs by Alton Brazell Coy & Johnette Biggs by Norine Patschke & Family Billy “Bill” Brown by Hurst Farm Supply Morris Bryan by Bob & Sue Graham Morris Bryan by Grace Ann Bryan Morris Bryan by Margaret Cammack Morris Bryan by Waylon Carroll Morris Bryan by Janette Dickerson Morris Bryan by Dr. & Mrs. Lee Dickerson Morris Bryan by Bill & Sue Hall Morris Bryan by Duane & Nan Howell Morris Bryan by Ernesteen Kelly Morris Bryan by Lee Lewis Construction Morris Bryan by Livingston Hearing Aid Center Morris Bryan by Raye Morris Morris Bryan by Nelda Rollins Morris Bryan by Mary Lou Scheideman Morris Bryan by Dan & Linda Taylor Rick Burns by Bill Mason Rick Burns by Dan & Linda Taylor Sidney Ray Burrow by Hurst Farm Supply Bayer Museum of Agriculture Special Thanks Francisco “Pancho” Cavazos Jr. by Sammy & Marilyn Harris Paul Eugene Cornelius by Hurst Farm Supply Noel Debman by Sparenberg Gin Inc. James Doughty II by Hurst Farm Supply LuCille Garrison by Dan & Linda Taylor LuCille Garrison by Hurst Farm Supply Norman Gentry by Hurst Farm Supply Norman Gentry by Norine Patschke & Family James Hamilton by Hurst Farm Supply Eugene Heath by Dan & Lee Ruth Krieg Therese Heinrich by the Vardeman Family Therese Heinrich by Plains Cotton Growers Therese Heinrich by Hurst Farm Supply Cliff Hilbers by Idalou Coop Gin Co. Bennie Bob Hobgood by Hurst Farm Supply B. B. Hobgood by Dan & Linda Taylor Vera Holloway by Waylon Carroll Jacques Hopkins by Dan and Linda Taylor Darvin Huddleston by Mullin, Hoard & Brown, LLP Hazel James by Billy & Sandy Fortenberry Hazel James by Hurst Farm Supply Hazel James by Norine Patschke & Family Hazel James by Dan and Linda Taylor Jim Jenkins by Larry and Linda King John Jones by Hurst Farm Supply John Jones by Idalou Co-op Gin Bass Lasater by Sparenberg Gin Inc. Richard Lawson by Larry and Linda King Nancy Lee by Glen & Velda Phipps James Logan by Jimmy & Rita Clark James Logan by Chad & Jill Whitley & Family James Logan by Micky & Randee Allen & Family Janie Lee McAfee by Hurst Farm Supply Pauline McGee by Hurst Farm Supply Ralph McLaughlin by Verett Farms Lucille Miller by Hurst Farm Supply D. J. Moses by Heath Verett Jackie Mull by Farmers Cooperative Compress Jackie Mull by Stoney & Doris Jackson Joyce Neill by Glen & Velda Phipps Al O’Brien by Hurst Farm Supply Don Opheim by Norine Patschke & Family Aaron Tate Osborn by Ray & Celia Mason & Family Dora Pinkert by Buster’s Gin Dora Pinkert by Hurst Farm Supply Dora Pinkert by Dan & Linda Taylor Melvin Powell by Hurst Farm Supply Ginny Riggs by Dan & Lee Ruth Krieg Ginny Riggs by Dan & Linda Taylor Ginny Riggs by W. B. Waters Jo Eddy Riley by Hurst Farm Supply Jack & Johnnie Robertson by Steve & Patricia Verett Page 8 Southwest Collections Showcases AAM in New Exhibit Above: Chancellor Kent Hance addresses crowd at exhibit opening Right: Flag on display at SWC Below: Tractorcade image from the collection of Dan Taylor. From March through mid-June, the Southwest Collection (SWC) at Texas Tech University is exhibiting their American Agricultural Movement (AAM) records in an exhibit entitled Tractorcade! It commemorates the 35th anniversary of the AAM’s last great Tractorcade in 1979. Bringing together a host of oral histories, photographs, newspaper articles, and artifacts, SWC curators attempt to tell this unique story of authentic American grassroots activism. The AAM formed in Campo, Colorado, during 1977. Wanting the U.S. Government to address their concept of “Parity”—defined loosely as economic balance between agriculture, other industries, and the U.S. government— the AAM attempted to organize a farmer’s strike. Although widespread strikes didn’t take off immediately, later that year around 5,000 farmers held a tractor rally in Lincoln, Nebraska. Farmers in other states soon followed with their own rallies, and in In January 1978, around 3,000 farmers drove their tractors to Washington D.C., the first of two tractorcades to the Capitol. Today, AAM serves as a watchdog for farmers as well as providing information useful to both elected and appointed officials who are responsible for forming farm policies. In June 2013, members from the AAM held a reunion in Lubbock, Texas, to discuss their shared history. The SWC worked with AAM members to collect oral histories, photographs, scrapbooks, and artifacts to be preserved at the SWC. These materials are now available for research. At the close of the SWC exhibit in mid-June, the artifacts and information will be on temporary exhibit at the Bayer Museum of Agriculture. Written by SWC Staff Special Thanks James Allen Ross by Hurst Farm Supply The Honorable William Shaver by Mr. & Mrs. Don Langston The Honorable William Shaver by Mr. Ellis Lee Langston The Honorable William Shaver by Mr. & Mrs. James A. Ruppel The Honorable William Shaver by Ellenor Wilkison & Kelley L. Owens The Honorable William Shaver by Mr & Mrs. Joe O. Langston The Honorable William Shaver by David R. Langston Jerry Lee Silhan by Hurst Farm Supply Inc. Bobby Sisk by Idalou Co-op Gin Betty Smith by Bob & Sue Graham Betty Smith by Billy Fortenberry Family Betty Smith by Plains Cotton Growers Bayer Museum of Agriculture Continued from page 8 Betty Smith by Jimmy & Rita Clark & Family Roy Smith by Farmers Cooperative Compress David Stafford by Gary McKenzie Jerry Don Sutterfield by Hurst Farm Supply Bill Taylor by Larry & Linda King Kenny Thiel by Dan & Lee Ruth Krieg Walker & Pauline Watkins by Steve & Patricia Verett Dewey & Maggie Wells by Verett Farms Otis Bill Wheeler by Hurst Farm Supply Vernon White by Joe Anthony Dan Wilbanks by Dan & Lee Ruth Krieg Bill Willis by Gary McKenzie Embry Williams, Jr., by Mullin, Hoard, & Brown, LLP In Honor of... Ronnie & Suanne Alexander by Larry and Linda King Waylon Carroll by Joe Anthony Kim Fulk by Bobby & Jeana Kauffman Ann McLaughlin Orr by Verett Farms Barbara Payton by Doyle & Cindy Buxkemper, Drury & Tara Buxkemper, & Cybil, Jeremy & Garett Contreas Robert Pope by Larry & Linda King Bart & Tami Roye by Verett Farms Dan & Linda Taylor by Carlton & Janis Buesing & Family Betty & Bob Wideman by Heath Verett Jim Willis by Dunn Crop Insurance Page 9 Bayer Museum of Agriculture PO Box 505 Lubbock, TX 79408 HOURS The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Special tours are available upon request. Contact Us 806.744.3786 museum & fax 806.239.5796 director 877.789.8335 toll free E-mail: amadirector@ agriculturehistory.org Website: www.agriculturehistory.org Held at the Bayer Museum of Agriculture Bring the family and a freezer of your best homemade ice cream. Prizes will be awarded to the top three ice cream entries. Judging starts at 7:15, socializing to follow. Bayer Museum of Agriculture Page 10
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