Clarence Richard "Dutch" Elder (1907-1997) received a B.S. (1929) from Iowa State College (University) in agricultural journalism. Elder returned to Iowa State as the Associate Extension Editor (1941) and was quickly made the Editor (1942). His duties in the Extension Service Department included publicizing the extension education department, informing the public on the results of research of the program, and assisting with the activities of the agricultural teaching staff. Elder was appointed Field Secretary (1943-1946) at the Iowa State Foundation and Secretary (1946-1948) of the Board of Directors of Iowa State College Press. He also served as Chairman (1946) of the Extension Publications Committee, which directed the publications of the Iowa Extension Service. Elder was appointed Director of Information (1948-1962) for the Iowa State College and continued in that position after Iowa State achieved university status in 1960. He became the Head (1961-1963) of the Iowa State University Information Service Department, responsible for editorial and publication services, visual education, service film production, and WOI TV and radio. Elder joined the ISU Foundation and in became Field Secretary (1964) for the ISU Foundation. Elder took a leave of absence from Iowa State to lead (1966-1968) the University of Nebraska's program at the Institute of Colombian Agriculture in Bogota, Colombia. Elder returned to Iowa State University as University Publications Editor (1969-1976). He retired on May 30, 1976 with the title of Professor Emeritus.

As Director of Information Services, Elder planned and managed the 1955 visit of a Russian delegation to Iowa State College to study agricultural methods utilized in the state of Iowa. He provided the group with a tour of Iowa, introducing members to Iowa farmers and American agricultural education at Iowa State. In addition, Elder assisted in developing the proposal that led to the establishment of WOI-TV and was a founder of C-A-R-D (Center for Agricultural and Economic Development).

The collection (1946-1997) consists of records documenting the 1955 visit of a Russian delegation of agriculturalists to Iowa State University. These materials comprise the bulk of the collection and include memoranda, invitations, and itineraries for farm visits. Biographical information and general professional correspondence is also included in the collection.

The collection is arranged in two series:

• Series 1, Biographical Information and Correspondence (1946-1997)
• Series 2, Russian Delegation Visit (1955)