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ARS Biological Control Documentation Center Records

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Biological Control Documentation Center Collection contains materials relating to biological control research conducted within the branches and divisions of the Agricultural Research Service. Formats of materials include correspondence, unpublished reports, research reports, grant applications, publications, shipping records, databases, photographs, and videotapes. Materials from closed international laboratories are also included. The records were collected and donated by Jack R. Coulson throughout his career working at many of the branches and divisions of ARS that dealt with biological control. Some of the records donated with the ARS Biological Control Documentation Center Collection were separated and accessioned as smaller collections because they were related to biological control but not directly part of this collection. These collections are the International Organization of Biological Control Collection, membership records and journal abstracts of the nonprofit organization, and the Jack R. Coulson Papers, his personal papers and editing contributions to biological control articles. Books accompanying the manuscript materials are held in Special Collections.

Historical or Biographical Sketch

Historical timeline- 1934: Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine (BEPQ) was created. 1953: Agricultural Research Service (ARS) was established and BEPQ was abolished. 1954: Insect Identification and Parasite Introduction (IIPI) Research Branch was formed under ARS. Three foreign locations initially reported to IIPI one of which was the European Parasite Lab (EPL). 1964: Biological Control of Insects Research Laboratory (BCIRL) in Columbia, Missouri was created. 1975-1993: Asian Parasite Laboratory (APL) was reestablished with the help of special funds for ARS biological control research on the gypsy moth. It was located in Seoul, South Korea and sponsored by the Beneficial Insect Introduction Branch (BIIB), ARS, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Collection Number: 389

Earliest Date: 1920

Latest Date: 1990

Bulk Dates: 1920s - 1990s

Linear Feet: 138

Processed: Yes, view the finding aid online.

Subjects: Entomology; Plant Science; USDA History

Formats: Photographs

Digitization Status: None

100 Years of the International Federation for Home Economics Manuscript and Associated Records

The collection includes manuscript materials and reference sources for the anniversary book 100 Years of the International Federation for Home Economics, script text for the DVD version of book, photographs of members, International Federation for Home Economics (IFHE) History Committee annual reports, other documents associated with the work of the History Committee, IFHE bulletins, files of IFHE Congresses and Councils, and IFHE countries and regions history reports. Additional materials include video tape interviews from some of the IFHE Presidents and Secretary Generals, written reports and statements, and photographs for the DVD titled Reflections of Past IFHE Presidents. Records of selective United Nations World Women’s Conferences and 2000 Focuses, the 1988 Washington Connection Conference, the 1998 American Regional Conference, the IFHE Development Fund, IFHE Councils, IFHE Women and Families in Development Committee are included as collection donor Nancy B. Leidenfrost participated in these events or committees.

Historical or Biographical Sketch

The International Federation for Home Economics is the only worldwide organization concerned with Home Economics and Consumer Studies. It was founded in 1908 to serve as a platform for international exchange within the field of Home Economics. IFHE is an International Non Governmental Organization (INGO), having consultative status with the United Nations (ECOSOC, FAO, UNESCO, UNICEF) and with the Council of Europe.

Collection Number: 391

Earliest Date: 1975

Latest Date: 2009

Linear Feet: 21.25

Processed: Minimally processed, view the partial finding aid online.

Subjects: Agricultural Organizations; Economics; Human Nutrition

Formats: Audiovisuals; Photographs

Digitization Status: None

Molecular Plant Pathology Laboratory Photographs

Collection includes photographs, associated notes, and a record book on various USDA activities and employees, dating between 1888 and 1968. Collection includes a series of photographs on testing of insecticide spraying apparatuses on different plant crops between 1912 and 1944. Much of the collection consists of photographs of employees from departments of Plant Industry and Plant Pathology, and other unknown individuals and departments. Also included are photographs of Arlington Farm in Arlington, Virginia before it was closed in the 1940s. The last item in the collection is a 1925 record book on seed treatment data from Rocky Ford, Colorado. More recent handwritten notes, possibly on the use of these historical documents in recent research, are inserted in the photographs and record book.

Collection Number: 392

Earliest Date: 1888

Latest Date: 1968

Linear Feet: 1

Processed: Minimally processed, view the partial finding aid online.

Subjects: Agricultural History; Agricultural Organizations; Entomology; Farms and Farming Systems; Forestry; Plant Science; USDA History

Formats: Agricultural Art and Memorabilia; Photographs

Digitization Status: None

Glenn A. Holroyd Papers

The Glenn A. Holroyd Papers include photographs, awards, newsletters, documentation of education courses.

Historical or Biographical Sketch

Glenn Holroyd worked for the Federal Government for 35 years. He began in 1945 working with the Kansas City Regional Office of the Commodity Credit Corportaiton (CCC), which then became the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS). He started out as a programmer, then systems analyst, and eventually became Chief of the Price Support Systems Division. His work was instrumental in installing Electronic Data Processing methods with the ASCS and the CCC.

Collection Number: 393

Earliest Date: 1957

Latest Date: 1971

Linear Feet: 0.25

Processed: No, contact Special Collections.

Subjects: Economics; USDA History

Formats: Photographs

Functional Food Files of Michelle Marcotte and Marcotte Consulting

The Functional Food Files of Michelle Marcotte and Marcotte Consulting reflect the development of regulatory change in Canada for health foods, including dietary supplements which in Canada are usually termed herbal medicines, and for functional foods or neutraceuticals. Marcotte's work in the field is part of her consulting practice which focuses on market development through regulatory change and communications. This work required an incorporation of nutrition, food technology and regulatory knowledge to affect market development for an emerging system.

Historical or Biographical Sketch

Michelle Marcotte graduated from the University of Windsor, Ontario, Canada in 1977 with a bachelor of arts degree in Home Economics, majoring in Foods and Nutrition. She began her career as an internal food consultant for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Next she worked for MDS Nordion as Senior Market Development Specialist, Food Irradiation Applications. This was followed by employment by Inter/Sect Alliance. Finally, she created Marcotte Consulting Inc. (Canada) and Marcotte Consulting LLC (Maryland USA) to provide management consulting services to assist industry, governments, and other organizations. She also co-chaired the United Nations Environment Program Methyl Bromide Technical Options Committee.

Collection Number: 394

Linear Feet: 2.5

Subjects: Agricultural History; Human Nutrition

Digitization Status: None

Food Irradiation Files of Michelle Marcotte and Marcotte Consulting

The Food Irradiation Files of Michelle Marcotte and Marcotte Consulting contain research papers and printed information materials about food processing and food irradiation in Canada and the United States over a thirty year time frame. In 1987 Marcotte began building this collection while working for the Atomic Energy of Canada, Commercial Products, in Kanata, Ontario, Canada. The company is now known as MDS Nordion. When Marcotte left Nordion in 1995, she continued to grow the collection as part of her consulting work in the field. During the time, research papers were not that widely available on the web and much of the research in the field was published as white paper often as part of Joint FAO-IAEA research contracts. Having the hard copy was the only way to have access to the information. The information collected formed huge reviews of literature required to submit food irradiation petitions to Canada and the United States for request approval to irradiate mangoes, poultry, animal feeds, red meat and then later dietary supplements (botanicals), shellfish, crustaceans, shelf stable foods and assisted the National Food Processors Petition on ready to eat foods. The files include many petitions Marcotte authored or co-authored: the Nordion animal feed petition, the Sterigenics shelf stable petition, parts of Sterigenics 7.5 MeV petition, the Steritech (Australia) spice petition which was later expanded to include dry ingredients nuts and seeds, and the Steris botanicals (dietary supplements) petition.

Historical or Biographical Sketch

Collection Number: 395

Earliest Date: 1987

Latest Date: 2006

Linear Feet: 21.25

Subjects: Agricultural History; Human Nutrition

Digitization Status: None

Methyl Bromide Alternatives and Methyl Bromide Technical Options Committee Files of Michelle Marcotte and Marcotte Consulting

The Methyl Bromide Alternatives and Methyl Bromide Technical Options Committee (MBTOC) Files of Michelle Marcotte and Marcotte Consulting collection contains files and books pertaining to the early years of MBTOC and about the growing body of knowledge of methyl bromide alternatives. As information about methyl bromide alternatives grew, MBTOC was able to identify where adoption of alternatives could take place, and assist the phase out of this ozone depleting chemical.

Historical or Biographical Sketch

In 1991 after methyl bromide was listed as an ozone depleting substance, Marcotte was asked by the government of Canada to present three papers on the use of irradiation as an alternative to methyl bromide at a conference between the governments of Canada and the United States. The Methyl Bromide Technical Options Committee (MBTOC) was soon created. Marcotte was appointed co-chair in 2005 and when the committee was divided into subcommittes, she became chair of the MBTOC Quarantine, Structures and Commodities. In the years of 1992-2003, MBTOC's work mainly consisted of obtaining, assessing and summarizing the research on the uses of methyl bromide, the technical efficacy of alternatives and the economic costs. This work was reported twice annually in the May and October reports of the Technical and Economic Assessment Panel reports. Every four years the group prepares an Assessment report which covers in very considerable detail all the research on methyl bromide uses and alternatives for those uses. However, by 2003, methyl bromide had still not been phased out for most of its uses in developed countries (referred to as Non A(5) countries in the Protocol), which had a phase out date of 2005. (The phase out date for developing countries (referred to as A(5) countries in the Protocol) was 2015. In each case there were step-down reductions which reduced the allowed use of methyl bromide according to the Protocol. In 2003, MBTOC began to receive critical use nominations from Parties requesting the continued use of many methyl bromide applications under the critical use exemption of the Protocol. Once the phase out date was reached for methyl bromide (in 2005) for developing countries, MBTOC’s role morphed from a technical and economic research assessment and policy advisory role to that of assessing and making recommendations on the critical use nominations submitted by Parties to the Montreal Protocol which then fed into Decisions by the Parties on critical use exemptions to the phase out. This work is done in addition to continuing to assess and report on methyl bromide uses, alternatives and their adoption.

Collection Number: 396

Earliest Date: 1991

Latest Date: 2006

Linear Feet: 2.5

Subjects: Agricultural History; Human Nutrition

Digitization Status: None

Agricultural Research Service Insect Biocontrol Laboratory Rose Gall Midge Photographs

The Insect Biocontrol Laboratory Rose Gall Midge Photograph Collection contains approximately 100 photographs related to the work on the rose gall midge (Dasineura spp.) in the 1970s by the Agricultural Research Service's Insect Biocontrol Laboratory. They show various aspects of early pest research in regards to rose plants in the DC area from approximately 1915-1970. Other offices mentioned throughout the collection are Tropical Crops and Truck Crops, both part of the Agricultural Research Service.

Historical or Biographical Sketch

The Insect Biocontrol Laboratory conducted research on the management of insect pests on agriculture and to manage their threat on our nation's food and fiber using non-chemical approaches. One such project was the rose gall midge and their relationship with rose plants. The collection is comprised of photographs of some of this early research and are labeled based on what type of information they collected.

Collection Number: 397

Earliest Date: 1915

Latest Date: 1970

Linear Feet: 0.5

Processed: Minimally processed, view the partial finding aid online.

Subjects: Entomology; USDA History

Formats: Photographs

Digitization Status: None

USDA Food Quality Laboratory Photograph Albums

The USDA Food Quality Laboratory Photograph Albums consist of three albums that document the facilities, equipment, and processes used in studies of meat production at the USDA’s Beltsville (Maryland) Agricultural Research Center (BARC). Photographs show the exterior of the abattoir at BARC-East, interior views of the Meat Quality Laboratory, scientific instruments and equipment, meat grading and cutting, comparative meat samples, and exhibits. There are also series of photographs documenting the processes of slaughtering, skinning, and dressing hogs and beef cattle. Several images taken at the USDA Bureau of Home Economics show panels of judges tasting and evaluating prepared meats.

Historical or Biographical Sketch

The USDA first recognized animal husbandry as an independent unit within the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) on July 1, 1901. Secretary of Agriculture James (Tama Jim) Wilson raised the animal husbandry unit to division status on January 1, 1910. During that same year, USDA purchased a 475-acre farm near Beltsville, Maryland to expand the BAI’s practical research in animal husbandry. The Meat Quality Laboratory, located at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, operated within the Animal Husbandry Division. The laboratory’s objective was to evaluate the quantity and quality of meat produced through research efforts in animal breeding, nutrition, and management. In 1953, the Bureau of Animal Industry and its Animal Husbandry Division were abolished in a reorganization that established the Agricultural Research Service (ARS). The Division’s functions were transferred to the newly established Animal and Poultry Husbandry Research Branch within ARS.

Collection Number: 398

Earliest Date: 1916

Latest Date: 1940

Bulk Dates: 1925-1928

Linear Feet: 5

Subjects: Animal Science; USDA History

Formats: Photographs

Digitization Status: None

Extension Farm Labor Program Collection (United States Crops Corps, Victory Farm Volunteers, and Women's Land Army)

The Extension Farm Labor Program Collection contains reports of the Information Service in the Cooperative Extension Farm Labor Program during the years 1943-1947. These reports contain recruitment information, sample recruitment materials such as posters and brochures, and farm labor stories from and about various volunteer farm labor groups during the World War II period. The reports are liberally illustrated with photographs. These groups include the Women's Land Army, U.S. Crop Corps, Victory Farm Volunteers and others. The Collection also contains reports on activities in the program made by five division chiefs, specifically: Administration and Organization; Recruitment and Placement; Labor Utilization: Women's Land Army; and: Victory Farm Volunteers.

Historical or Biographical Sketch

The Women's Land Army was developed in 1943 as part of the Emergency Farm Labor Program under USDA and Extension Service. WLA headed by Florence L. Hall, an economist, had previously worked for USDA’s Dairy Bureau and the Extension Service (Carpenter, On the Farm Front) “The WLA effectively recruited, trained, and placed millions of women as labor on national farms.” (Carpenter) WLAA – Women’s Land Army of America, WWI Colleges Vassar, Bryn Mawr, Mt. Holyoke, among others, established programs that sent students to work on farms during school breaks Girls and boys were called upon by the Agricultural Extension Services of the 48 states after Congress passed the first farm labor legislation in April 1943. The Federal Extension Service, in cooperation with other government agencies, had been studying the role youth might play since the fall of 1942 when it became obvious that the labor shortage was the number one obstacle to be hurdled in wartime food production. Some state Extension Services had their plans for a youth program in cooperation with local schools outlined and underway by the time Federal funds were appropriated. The Victory Farm Volunteers were recruited and organized by state and county Extension workers throughout the nation with the help of school people and many others. In 1943, they totaled 700,000 and in 1944, their numbers were increased to 875,000. They were nonfarm youth between 14 and 17 years of age who worked on farms. They added their willing hands and shoulders to 3,500,000 boys and girls the same age who already lived on farms, whose wartime production part in food production was second only to that of their parents. The youth were important for providing our men in uniform with food that came from harvested crops. In Maryland, girls at Camp Mil-Bur picked 183,000 pounds of snapbeans in ten weeks, and worked in lima beans, blackberries, tomatoes, and tobacco. Youth were recruited by by schools, publicity, neighborhood group leaders, and youth-serving agencies. Many schools altered daily and even semester schedules.

Collection Number: 399

Earliest Date: 1943

Latest Date: 1947

Linear Feet: 1

Processed: No, contact Special Collections.

Subjects: Agricultural History; Human Nutrition; USDA History

Formats: Posters

Digitization Status: None

Stereo Cards of USDA Buildings and Grounds in Washington D.C.

The collection includes approximately 60 stereo cards documenting various USDA facilities from around 1870 to 1930, as this was when stereo cards were most popular. Many of the cards have information, such as the location of the building in the photograph, on the back or sides of the stereo card.

Historical or Biographical Sketch

The stereo cards were collected by Rob Griesbach, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Technology Transfer, ARS. They document the history of the USDA buildings on the National Mall from the beginning of the USDA to approximately 1920. Stereo cards were two photographs of the same object mounted on cardboard that when placed in a stereoscope would give the appearance of being three dimensional. They became popular after 1840 and were most prominently made between the 1870s and 1920s.

Collection Number: 400

Earliest Date: 1870

Latest Date: 1930

Bulk Dates: 1870-1930

Linear Feet: 0.5

Processed: No, contact Special Collections.

Subjects: USDA History

Formats: Photographs

Digitization Status: Portion of collection digitized

Gypsy Moth Research Collection

Collection contains correspondence, reports, and various other forms of records pertaining to the research done by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) on the gypsy moth in the 1970s and 1980s. The files were collected by Waldemar Klassen, an entomologist who worked on the research. The collection is in file folders and arranged by year.

Historical or Biographical Sketch

The gypsy moth is one of North America's most devastating forest pests. Since its accidental introduction in Boston in the late 1860s, researchers have been attempting to eradicate it. Gypsy moths feed on hundreds of different species of plants and can be found throughout the United States but mainly on the Eastern coast. The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) has been a key member in funding and researching the safe removal of gypsy moths. Klassen specialized in integrated pest management, area-wide pest management, and insect genetics.

Collection Number: 401

Earliest Date: 1971

Latest Date: 1984

Bulk Dates: 1970s - 1980s

Linear Feet: 2.5

Subjects: Entomology; USDA History

Digitization Status: None

Food Puppets

The USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), received as an anonymous donation two food puppets that are believed to have been part of a children’s television show, though we have no further information as to their origin.

Collection Number: 402

Linear Feet: 3

Subjects: Human Nutrition

Formats: Agricultural Art and Memorabilia

Digitization Status: Entire collection digitized

Arie Den Boer Crabapple Papers

The papers consist of Arie F. den Boer's research notes and files used to write the book Flowering Crabapples published by the American Association of Nurserymen in 1959. His research notebooks contain hand-drawn images of crabapple trees. Includes a copy of the book.

Historical or Biographical Sketch

Arie den Boer was a landscape gardener at the Water Works in Des Moines, Iowa. Water Works manager Charles Sing Denman encouraged his interest in crabapple research. Den Boer developed the park named Charles Sing Denman Woods which has the largest collection of flower crabapple trees in existence.

Collection Number: 403

Earliest Date: 1904

Latest Date: 1960

Bulk Dates: 1940

Linear Feet: 8.75

Digitization Status: None

Jack R. Coulson Papers

The Jack R. Coulson Papers contain abstracts, reports, drafts of publications, journals, indexes, and other materials pertaining to his work in biological control. There are letters from scientists providing edits to Agricultural Research Service documents.

Historical or Biographical Sketch

Jack Coulson worked in the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) as both the Director of the Biological Control Documentation Center and at the Beneficial Insect Introduction Lab (BIIL) in Beltsville, Maryland. He was also the Global President of the International Organization of Biological Control (IOBC).

Collection Number: 404

Earliest Date: 1965

Latest Date: 1998

Linear Feet: 5

Subjects: Entomology

Formats: Audiovisuals; Photographs; Reprints

Digitization Status: None

International Organization of Biological Control Records

The International Organization of Biological Control (IOBC) records contain correspondence (1972, 1976-78); Treasurer's reports including membership applications and renewals (1972, 1974-78, 1981); accounting records (1972-1979); bank statements, receipts, and withdrawals (1979); abstracts of journal Entomophaga (1976-78); and mailing lists.

Historical or Biographical Sketch

International Organization of Biological Control (IOBC) is the premier scientific society that addresses issues of biological control worldwide. It is split into geographic sections and membership is open to anyone with interest in any aspect of biological control.

Collection Number: 405

Earliest Date: 1971

Latest Date: 1981

Linear Feet: 3.75

Subjects: Agricultural Organizations; Entomology

Kenneth L. Williams Papers

The Kenneth L. Williams Papers pertain to his work on the Soil and Water Conservation Act of 1977 (PL-95-192). The legislation was commonly termed the "RCA." The papers, largely from 1976 to 1983, describe events in the development and implementation of this historic piece of legislation.

Historical or Biographical Sketch

Kenneth L. Williams was born on a dairy farm in the small farming hamlet of Vineyard, Utah, in 1928. Williams attended Brigham Young University where he also worked as a farm hand. The Soil Conservation Service hired him as a student trainee following his freshman year. After earning a bachelor's of science degree in agronomy, Williams joined the Soil Conservation Service full-time. Throughout this 31-year career, he worked in positions of increasing responsibility throughout the United States. The culmination of Williams' career came with his assignment as Deputy Chief of Planning and Evaluation for the agency at the national headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Collection Number: 406

Earliest Date: 1976

Latest Date: 1983

Linear Feet: 1.25

Processed: No, contact Special Collections.

Subjects: Natural Resources

Digitization Status: None

USDA Human Nutrition Information Service Records

The USDA Human Nutrition Information Service Records contain historical background information about food and nutrition research and dietary guideline development in the USDA. The records include , the history and organization of HNIS, highlights of the organization’s accomplishments, and materials related to nutrition and health guidelines. The collection includes reports, articles, memoranda, and charts about the history and organization of HNIS, highlights of its accomplishments, nutrition research activities, and publications. There are also documents on legislative authoritities for nutrition research and information services, as well as brochures and leaflets on nutrition guidelines and healthful eating. The collection also includes correspondence, recipes, food guide information, surveys, and speeches.

Historical or Biographical Sketch

The USDA's Human Nutrition Information Service (HNIS) offered dietary guidance and support services to the Food and Nutrition Service (later named the Food and Consumer Service) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) from November 1981 through February 1994. HNIS was primarily responsible for the USDA’s role in the National Nutrition Monitoring System and in formulating dietary guidelines for the American public. The HNIS promoted healthy eating habits by conducting food consumption surveys, food composition research, and nutrition education programs. HNIS was abolished by USDA in 1994, and its functions were transferred to the Agricultural Research Service (ARS).

Collection Number: 407

Earliest Date: 1922

Latest Date: 1994

Bulk Dates: 1970-1994

Linear Feet: 2.5

Processed: Yes, view the finding aid online.

Subjects: Human Nutrition; USDA History

Formats: Posters; Reprints

Digitization Status: None

United States National Arboretum Collection Cherry Tree Files

The United States National Arboretum (USNA) Collection Cherry Tree Files contain materials which relate to the history of cherry trees introduced to the District of Columbia from Japan. The files were compiled by botanist Roland Maurice Jefferson beginning in 1973, throughout his career as a botanist at the National Arboretum, and in retirement. One of the products of this research was The Japanese Flowering Cherry Trees of Washington, D.C.: A Living Symbol of Friendship, a 1977 USNA publication he coauthored with Alan Fusonie of the National Agricultural Library. Most of the materials are reproductions or transcriptions of original records which Jefferson assembled from the holdings of several institutions, including the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); the Montgomery Library of the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden; the Library of Congress; the Historical Society of Washington, D.C., formerly the Columbia Historical Society; the United States National Arboretum; and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in Washington, D.C. Materials include correspondence, memoranda, newspaper and magazine articles, photographs, publications, and programs.

Historical or Biographical Sketch

Roland Maurice Jefferson (1923-) was born in Washington, D.C. on September 3, 1923. In 1950 he obtained a bachelor's degree in botany from Howard University and started making plant labels at the United States National Arboretum (USNA) in 1956. The next year Jefferson was promoted to become the first African-American botanist at the USNA and over the next decade studied crabapples. In 1973, Jefferson started compiling historical and scientific data about the Japanese cherry trees planted in Washington, D.C.'s Potomac Park, which included taking cuttings from the surviving trees. In 1977 he published "The Japanese flowering cherry trees of Washington, D.C., which was later translated into Japanese. In 1978-1979 he was part of a plant expedition in Europe to study cherry and crabapple trees. In 1981, Nancy Reagan presented the President Reagan Cherry Tree to Japan, which Jefferson propagated from the 1912 cherry tree that First Lady Taft planted from Japan. From 1981-1983 he went to Japan to study, lecture, locate, evaluate, and collect cherry tree budwood from Prunus germplasm or ornamental cherry trees. He started the dogwood seed exchange program from 1982-1983, where Japanese school children collected cherry seeds in exchange for American collected dogwood seeds. In 1983 he married Keiko Ishisaki. In 1986, Jefferson led expeditions into Japan, Korea, and Taiwan to study cherry trees. He retired from the USNA in 1987, but continued to lecture on cherry trees in Japan through 1998.

Collection Number: 408

Earliest Date: 1809

Latest Date: 1993

Bulk Dates: 1909-1979

Linear Feet: 6

Processed: Yes, view the finding aid online.

Subjects: Agricultural History; Forestry; Plant Exploration

Formats: Photographs

Digitization Status: Portion of collection digitized

Special Collections Product Collection

This collection consists of samples of Special Collections products that have been sold in past years. The collection was not created until 2009 so some of the earlier products may not be available. These products serve as "archival" copies and are not for sale.

Collection Number: 409

Earliest Date: 2007

Latest Date: 2011

Linear Feet: 3.5

Formats: Agricultural Art and Memorabilia

Digitization Status: Portion of collection digitized

Douglas Ensminger Scrap Book

"Extension Rehabilitation Conference Scrap Book; Sept. 19-22, 1944; Douglas Ensminger, chairman." The conference program is titled: "Conference to outline the contribution of extension methods and techniques toward the rehabilitation of war-torn countries." September 19-22, 1944. Washington, DC: United States Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service and Office of Foreign Agricultural Relations.

Historical or Biographical Sketch

Douglas Ensminger (1910-1989) was a specialist in rural sociology. He earned his BS in Agriculture from the University of Missouri in 1933, his MA in Rural Public Welfare in 1934 from the University of Missouri, and his Ph.D in Rural Sociology from Cornell in 1939. Ensminger was employed by USDA from 1939-1951.

Collection Number: 410

Earliest Date: 1944

Latest Date: 1944

Linear Feet: 1.75

Processed: No, contact Special Collections.

Formats: Photographs

Digitization Status: Portion of collection digitized

National Epsilon Sigma Phi Organization Records

The National Epsilon Sigma Phi Organization Records contains the organization's historical records, including meeting reports and minutes, conference materials, newsletters, financial records, membership directories, speeches, correspondence, scholarships and awards, handbooks, committee records, and marketing materials. A few materials relate to individual state chapters of the national organization.

Historical or Biographical Sketch

Epsilon Sigma Phi (ESP) is the national society of Extension Service professionals. ESP was officially organized January 11, 1927 in Bozeman, Montana by William A. Lloyd and Dean Schaub, with the goal of promoting and supporting professionalism in the Extension Service.

Collection Number: 411

Earliest Date: 1927

Latest Date: 2017

Linear Feet: 12.5

Processed: No, contact Special Collections.

Subjects: Agricultural Organizations

Digitization Status: None

Walter A. Gentner Collection

The Walter A. Gentner Collection contains research manuscripts, photographs, award plaques and certificates, framed artifacts, paintings, and memorabilia related to Gentner’s career as a plant physiologist with the United States Department of Agriculture's Weed Science Laboratory.

Historical or Biographical Sketch

Dr. Walter A. Gentner, Jr. (1922-2011) joined the USDA in 1955. As a plant physiologist and laboratory leader, he evaluated chemicals for herbicidal properties and developed chemical guidelines designed to improve the safety and effectiveness of herbicides. Beginning in 1971, he became involved with studies of the chemical control of illicit narcotic plants. He served on the United Nations Division of Narcotic Drugs Team, and was a National Technical Advisor on Narcotics. Dr. Gentner was the Supervisory Plant Physiologist and Laboratory Chief of the Weed Science Laboratory at Beltsville, Maryland. He retired from USDA in 1988.

Collection Number: 412

Earliest Date: 1952

Latest Date: 1988

Linear Feet: 7

Processed: No, contact Special Collections.

Subjects: Plant Science

Formats: Agricultural Art and Memorabilia

Digitization Status: None

Frederick Vernon Coville Blueberry Records

United States Department of Agriculture blueberry records of Frederick Vernon Coville document the earliest crosses of commercial blueberries. Frederick Vernon Coville along with George M. Darrow were the first breeders in the blueberry program. These research notes are primarily Coville's and include a complete description of blueberry plant parentage and field note data. There are daily, pencilled entries about growing plants in research fields and separate notebooks with descriptions of blueberry plant variety characteristics and crosses.

Historical or Biographical Sketch

Frederick Vernon Coville (1867-1937) worked for the United States Department of Agriculture as assistant botanist (1888-1893) and botanist (1893-1937). He was instrumental in the establishment of the United States National Arboretum in 1927. He was the first to discover the importance of soil acidity on the growth of blueberries as well as the impact of cold on plants. Through his early work on crossing blueberry plants, he was responsible for the commercialization of blueberries.

Collection Number: 413

Earliest Date: 1907

Latest Date: 1938

Linear Feet: 4

Subjects: Plant Science; USDA History

Digitization Status: None

John W. Mitchell Papers

Materials relate to John W. Mitchell’s research on ferns of the Mid-Atlantic United States. The collection includes slide transparencies, photographs, maps and guides, publications, and research notes compiled by Mitchell for a planned field guide.

Historical or Biographical Sketch

John W. Mitchell (1905-1992) studied botany at the University of Chicago under Ezra Jacob Kraus. He became a senior plant physiologist at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) in 1938. In the 1940s, Mitchell conducted research with Kraus and colleagues at the USDA into the agricultural use of the synthetic plant growth regulator 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) as a selective herbicide. After retirement, Mitchell devoted his time to the study and photography of ferns in the Mid-Atlantic United States.

Collection Number: 414

Earliest Date: 1980

Latest Date: 1991

Linear Feet: 3.75

Subjects: Plant Science

Formats: Photographs