Ted still 1901-1991

1992) 411 News and Reviews TED STILL 1901-1991 Mr. Ted Still, a long-time Colorado seed potato grower, passed away on February 17, 1991 at the age of 89. He is survived by his wife Dorothy, a son Doug and a daughter Carolyn and their respective families. Ted was born in Kansas, December 26, 1901. He grew up on a farm and attended Kansas State College. He moved to the San Luis Valley in Colorado in the late 1920's. Ted began raising potatoes in 1930 and became a foundation seed potato grower in 1933. He stayed in the seed business for over 45 years. In the mid-thirties, when bacterial ring rot threatened to destroy much of the potato industry, Ted was instrumental in saving the Red McClure variety. Twenty years later Ted was working with several potato chip companies as a seed producer. These included Frito Lay, Clover Club, Nalley Foods and many other smaller, independent companies. He developed improved line selections of Kennebec, Oromonte, Golden, Rural New Yorker #2, Red McClure and Monona. By the 1960's Ted was extensively involved with Frito Lay's seed program and field tested many of their seedlings. He retired from farming in 1978, but was an active partner in Still Farms, Inc., a family owned operation, until the mid 1980's. Ted believed in the health of the community, as well as the health of the potato industry. He was one of the initial organizers of the San Luis Valley Potato Improvement Association and served as its President for many years. This organization was instrumental in purchasing a quarter section of land which was later donated to Colorado State University and was developed into the San Luis Valley Research Center. This organization spear- headed development of one of the first marketing order agreements, advo- cated the branding law and was the driving force which made Colorado one of the first states to have compulsory shipping point inspection. Ted was also active in the Colorado Certified Potato Growers' Associa- tion serving on its Board of Directors for many years and as its President several different times. Ted was a member of the National Potato Council and strongly promoted the idea of farmers solving their own marketing problems rather than depending on government subsidies. Ted was one of the first "Master Seedsmen" of Colorado. He was rec- ognized by Colorado State University with the "Friends of Research" award in 1988. He was named as an Honorary Life Member of the Potato Associa- tion of America in 1956.

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Transcript of Ted still 1901-1991

1992) 411

N e w s and Reviews

TED STILL 1901-1991

Mr. Ted Still, a long-time Colorado seed potato grower, passed away on February 17, 1991 at the age of 89. He is survived by his wife Dorothy, a son Doug and a daughter Carolyn and their respective families.

Ted was born in Kansas, December 26, 1901. He grew up on a farm and a t tended Kansas State College. He moved to the San Luis Valley in Co lo r ado in the late 1920's. Ted began raising po ta toes in 1930 and became a foundat ion seed potato grower in 1933. He stayed in the seed business for over 45 years. In the mid-thirties, when bacterial r ing rot threatened to destroy much of the potato industry, Ted was instrumental in saving the Red McClure variety.

Twenty years later Ted was working with several potato chip companies as a seed producer. These included Frito Lay, Clover Club, Nalley Foods and many other smaller, i ndependen t companies . He developed improved line selections of Kennebec , O r o m o n t e , Golden, Rural New Yorker #2, Red McClure and Monona. By the 1960's Ted was extensively involved with Frito Lay's seed p r o g r a m and field tested many of their seedlings. He retired from farming in 1978, but was an active par tner in Still Farms, Inc., a family owned operation, until the mid 1980's.

Ted believed in the health of the community, as well as the health of the potato industry. He was one of the initial organizers of the San Luis Valley Potato Improvement Association and served as its President for many years. This organization was instrumental in purchasing a quarter section of land which was later donated to Colorado State University and was developed into the San Luis Valley Research Center. This organization spear- headed development of one of the first marketing order agreements, advo- cated the branding law and was the driving force which made Colorado one of the first states to have compulsory shipping point inspection.

Ted was also active in the Colorado Certified Potato Growers' Associa- tion serving on its Board of Directors for many years and as its President several different times. Ted was a m e m b e r of the National Potato Council and strongly p romoted the idea of farmers solving their own market ing problems rather than depending on government subsidies.

Ted was one of the first "Master Seedsmen" of Colorado. He was rec- ognized by Colorado State University with the "Friends of Research" award in 1988. He was named as an Honorary Life Member of the Potato Associa- tion of America in 1956.

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Ted had the drive and initiative to "get things done ," bo th on a nat ion- al level and within the st:ate ,:)|+ Co lo rado . t t c was of tim rare b reed of men that truly lnilk,ps a d i t t c rcnce in a given <)ccttpation. The pota.to industry is r icher l)ccausc of I ' ed ' s e l lot is . He will I)c r e m c t n b e r c d t0ndlv by his t+amily, t he p o t a t o gr<)wcrs o f (~olol-ado a l | d his lll;.tllv f r i e n d s ill tilt: P o t a t o Association o fAnmr ica .

Rober t Davidson and Kenne th W. Knutson