Special Collections Department
403 Parks Library
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-2140
MS 642
The Garst Company
Records, 1941-2004, undated
Descriptive summary
| creator: | The Garst Company |
| title: | Records |
| dates: | 1941-2004, undated |
| extent: | 7.98 linear feet (5 document boxes and 14 photograph boxes) |
| collection number: | MS 642 |
| repository: | Special Collections Department, Iowa State University. |
Administrative information
| access: | Open for research |
| publication rights: | Consult Head, Special Collections Department |
| preferred citation: | The Garst Company Records, MS 642, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University Library. |
| restrictions: | All photographic images created by Joe Munroe are copyrighted by the photographer's estate. Please contact the Ohio Historical Society's Joe Munroe Archives http://www.ohiohistory.org/resource/audiovis/munroe/ for permission and/or more information. |
Historical note
The Garst Company, based out of Coon Rapids, Iowa, was created in 1941 as a partnership between Jane, Stephen, and David Garst, the three oldest children of Roswell and Elizabeth Garst, for the purposes of engaging in farming operations of all kinds. Originally this included the buying and farming of land and the raising of livestock, but they soon expanded the business to include fertilizer and chemical distribution and storage for grain and other agricultural products. By 1956, Jane had left the business and David had entered into the seed corn business leaving Stephen to take over full control of the company. During the 1950s the Garst Company started engaging in large-scale calf-cow herd operations. Low-cost cattle feed consisting of corn cobs, silage, and molasses-urea contributed greatly to the growth of the herd. A cattle breeding operation began in earnest in 1968 with the availability of Simmental and Limousin semen. During the 1970s the Garst Company cattle herd numbered over 4,000 head and the Garst herd was well-known across the country for its superior genetics. Annual cattle sales held at the company sale barn started in 1971. Mary Garst, Stephen's wife, started managing the cattle division in 1974 and became a prominent member of the beef industry in Iowa and around the country. As Stephen's health deteriorated toward the end of his life, his daughter Liz began to manage The Garst Company. Eventually the decision was made to reduce operations and ultimately retire the business. The company was down-sized in 2003, the cattle herd was sold intact to a nearby cattleman, and properties were sold. Following the death of Stephen in January 2004, the business was closed. The Garst Company was instrumental in bringing many innovative farming practices into widespread use. The Garsts were among the first to recognize the importance of fertilizers and farm chemicals for increased crop yields, they discovered the potential for corn byproducts such as cobs and stalks as an inexpensive feed for cattle, and they meticulously tracked genetic traits in their cattle to create a nationally-recognized cattle herd. In later years, the company was quick to adopt soil conservation farming practices including no-till farming and establishing waterways and terraces. |
Collection description
This collection (1941-2004, undated) contains paper and photographic records of the Garst Company of Coon Rapids, Iowa. The collection is separated into two series: administrative records and photographic materials. The administrative records are mostly limited to correspondence and files related to the company's large beef cattle operation. These materials include advertisements the company placed in various publications to promote its beef cattle, a cattle sale catalog from 1971, certificates, and correspondence. Of particular interest is the correspondence regarding the sale of beef cattle and other materials to the Soviet Union and other Eastern European countries during the early 1960s. The photographic materials include photographs and slides which document many aspects of the Garst Company's operations. Images of cattle and cattle sales, farming operations, aerial views of farmland, and various buildings and property constitute the bulk of the images. NOTE: The photographs and slides contained in the collection created by photographer Joe Munroe are copyrighted by his estate. Please contact the Ohio Historical Society's Joe Munroe Archives http://www.ohiohistory.org/resource/audiovis/munroe/ for permission and/or more information. |
Related materials
Related collections of interest include the Roswell Garst Papers, RS 21/7/12; Garst Family Papers, MS 579; Garst and Thomas Hybrid Corn Company Records, MS 173; Stephen Garst Papers, MS 639; David Garst Papers, MS 590; John Chrystal Papers, MS 422; and Whiterock Conservancy Records, MS 691. |
Organization
The collection is organized into two series: |
Description of series
| Series 1 | Administrative Records |
1941-2004, undated |
| extent: | 0.84 linear feet (2 document boxes) |
|
| description: | The administrative records consist primarily of correspondence and files related to the Garst Company's large beef cattle operation. These materials include advertisements the company placed in various publications to promote its beef cattle, a cattle sale catalog from 1971, certificates, and correspondence. Of particular interest is the correspondence regarding the sale of beef cattle and other materials to the Soviet Union and other Eastern European countries during the early 1960s. |
|
Container list
Box |
Folder |
Title |
Dates |
1 |
1 |
Advertisements: Cattle sales (binder) |
1974-1977, undated |
1 |
2 |
Advertisements: Gelbvieh cattle |
1982-1983 |
1 |
3 |
Advertisements: IBIA News (Iowa Beef Improvement Association) |
1976-1984 |
1 |
4 |
Advertisements: Ideal Beef Memo |
1980-1983, undated |
1 |
5 |
Advertisements: Letters |
1987 |
1 |
6 |
Advertisements: Limousin cattle |
1972-1982, undated |
1 |
7 |
Advertisements: Simmental cattle |
1972-1990 |
1 |
8 |
American Beef Cattle Performance Registry Association: Membership certificate |
1960 |
1 |
9 |
American Simmental Association: Certificates |
1981 |
1 |
10 |
American Simmental Association: Charter member certificate |
1969 |
1 |
11 |
American Simmental Association: Nomination material for Beef Improvement Federation's Commercial Breeder of the Year Award (2- 3.5x5 b/w, 2- 5x7 b/w, 1- 8x10 b/w, and 9- 3.5x5 color photographs) |
1977 |
1 |
12 |
Brochure |
undated |
1 |
13 |
Cattle herds: Notes |
1977-1981 |
1 |
14 |
Cattle sales: Catalog |
1971 |
1 |
15 |
Cattle sales: Promotional material and news clippings |
undated |
1 |
16 |
Company party for past employees and friends: Planning material and list of past employees |
2004 |
1 |
17 |
Correspondence: Akins, Murry and Martina re: Limousin cattle (2- 3x3 color photographs) |
1972 |
1 |
18 |
Correspondence: Ammonium-phosphate for USSR |
1960 |
1 |
19 |
Correspondence: European tour sponsored by Hogcast |
1960 |
1 |
20 |
Correspondence: Heifer Project International |
1975 |
1 |
21 |
Correspondence: Indonesia trip |
1958-1963 |
2 |
1 |
Correspondence: Indonesia trip |
1962-1963 |
2 |
2 |
Correspondence: Kaalberg, Gayle F. |
1972 |
2 |
3 |
Exports (cattle) to Bulgaria: Correspondence and contracts |
1960 |
2 |
4 |
Exports (cattle) to USSR: Correspondence and contracts |
1960 |
2 |
5 |
Exports (cattle) to USSR: Correspondence and expenses |
1960 |
2 |
6 |
Exports (cattle) to USSR: Correspondence and notes (4- 2.5x2.5 b/w photographs) |
1960-1961 |
2 |
7 |
Exports to Hungary: Correspondence and notes |
1976 |
2 |
8 |
Exports to Romania: Correspondence and notes |
1957-1960, undated |
2 |
9 |
Fertilizer meeting for farmers |
1965-1967 |
2 |
10 |
History |
1990, undated |
2 |
11 |
Hog rations: Correspondence and notes |
1963 |
2 |
12 |
Invoices for aerial photography |
1991, 1996 |
19 |
|
Interviews of employees and families who were associated with the Garst Company (8 audiocassette tapes and 3 microcassette tapes) |
2004 |
2 |
13 |
National Cattlemen's Association: Charter member certificate for Mary Garst |
1977 |
2 |
14 |
News clippings and newspaper ads |
1962-2004, undated |
2 |
15 |
North American Limousin Foundation: Captions for slide show (missing slides) |
undated |
2 |
16 |
Partnership agreement and amendments |
1941-1964 |
Artifact collection
|
Plaques (Artifacts 2003-219.01 thru 2003-219.20) |
1973-2002 |
|
Map case |
C406 D05 |
Poster: Machinery and equipment auction |
2003 circa |
2 |
17 |
Registration for fertilizer and chemical distribution |
1959-1966 |
2 |
18 |
State fertilizer manufacturer and dealer license |
1968-1987 |
2 |
19 |
Supply agreement and farm supply order forms |
1960-1978 |
Artifact collection
|
Trophies (Artifacts 2003-219.21 thru 2003-219.22) |
1980, 1983 |
|
Description of series
| Series 2 | Photographic Materials |
1963-2002, undated |
| extent: | 5.88 linear ft. (3 document boxes and 11 photograph boxes) |
|
| description: | The photographic materials include slides and photographs of many aspects of the Garst Company operations. Images of cattle and cattle sales, farming operations, aerial views of farmland, and various buildings and property constitute the bulk of the images.
NOTE: The photographs and slides contained in the collection created by photographer Joe Munroe are copyrighted by his estate. Please contact the Ohio Historical Society's Joe Munroe Archives http://www.ohiohistory.org/resource/audiovis/munroe/ for permission and/or more information. |
|
Container list
Box |
Folder |
Title |
Dates |
Map case |
C406 D05 |
Aerial view of Davidson farm (1- 11x14 color photograph) |
2001 |
6 |
1 |
Aerial views of farm buildings (3- 5x7 b/w photographs) |
1976 |
6 |
2-3 |
Aerial views of fields (47- 3.5x5 color photographs) |
1976 circa |
6 |
4 |
Aerial views of fields (15- 5x7 color photographs) |
1991 |
6 |
5 |
Aerial views of fields (37- 4x6 color photographs) |
1995 |
6 |
6 |
Aerial views of fields (30- 4x6 color photographs) |
1996 |
7 |
1-3 |
Aerial views of fields (80- 4x6 color photographs) |
1996 |
7 |
4 |
Aerial views of fields (19- 4x6 color photographs) |
1999 |
16 |
4 |
Aerial views of fields (29- 4x6 color photographs) |
1999 |
16 |
5 |
Aerial views of flooding (37- 4x6 color photographs) |
1993 |
18 |
4 |
Aerial views of flooding (54- 4x6 color photographs) |
1993 |
7 |
5 |
Aerial views of flooding (24- 3.5x5 color photographs) |
1996 |
7 |
6 |
Aerial views of flooding (27- 5x5 color photographs) |
undated |
8 |
1 |
Aerial views of Lake City farm (23- 3.5x5 color photographs) |
1994 |
8 |
2 |
Aerial views of Willow Creek flooding (15- 4x6 color photographs) |
undated |
8 |
3 |
Aerial views of Willow Creek flooding (23- 5x5 color photographs) |
undated |
4 |
2-5 |
Beef cattle (Joe Munroe, photographer) (375 color photographs) |
1973-1975 |
4 |
6 |
Beef cattle and farm operations (100 color slides) |
1963-1977, undated |
5 |
1-6 |
Beef cattle and farm operations (600 color slides) |
1963-1977, undated |
8 |
4 |
Buffalo (33- 3.5x5 color and 3- 4x6 color photographs) |
1987-1996, undated |
8 |
5 |
Buffalo (20- 3.5x5 color and 2- 4x6 color photographs) |
1991 circa-1994, undated |
8 |
6 |
Cattle (1- 4x4 color, 1- 3x3 color, 3- 3x4 color, 21- 3.5x5 color, and 7- 4x6 color photographs) |
1969-1999, undated |
9 |
1 |
Cattle (10- 3x3 color, 6- 3x4 color, 3- 3.5x5 color, 1- 4x4 color photographs) |
1970-1973, undated |
9 |
2 |
Cattle (3- 3x3 b/w and 35- 3.5x5 b/w photographs) |
1971-1974, undated |
3 |
1 |
Cattle (2- 5x8 b/w photographs) |
1972 |
9 |
3 |
Cattle (21- 3.5x5 color photographs) |
1973, undated |
9 |
4 |
Cattle (21- 3x3 b/w and 19- 3x4 b/w photographs) |
1973, undated |
9 |
5 |
Cattle (7- 3x3 b/w, 15- 3.5x5 b/w, and 6- 5x7 b/w photographs) |
1973, undated |
10 |
1 |
Cattle (23- 5x7 b/w photographs) |
undated |
10 |
2 |
Cattle and carcass grading (14- 3.5x5 color photographs) |
1980 |
3 |
2 |
Cattle and farm operations (Joe Munroe, photographer) (1- 5x7 b/w and 8- 8x10 b/w photographs; 14- 8x10 b/w contact sheets) |
undated |
10 |
3 |
Cattle insemination (28- 3.5x5 color photographs) |
1978 circa |
10 |
4 |
Cattle sales (25- 3.5x5 b/w and 9- 5x7 b/w photographs) |
1971, undated |
10 |
5 |
Cattle sales (27- 3.5x5 color and 1- 5x7 color photographs) |
1971 circa-1973 |
10 |
6 |
Cattle sales (16- 3.5x5 b/w photographs) |
1974 |
10 |
7 |
Cattle sales (9- 3.5x5 b/w photographs) |
1978 |
11 |
1-2 |
Cattle sales (63- 3.5x5 color photographs) |
1979 |
11 |
3 |
Cattle sales (11- 3.5x5 color photographs) |
1990 circa-1995 |
3 |
3 |
Cattle show (2- 5x7 b/w and 3- 8x10 b/w photographs) |
1973 circa |
3 |
4 |
Cattle sold at Fort Worth National sale (16- 8x10 color photographs) |
1972 |
3 |
5 |
Cattle sold at sales (3- 8x10 color and 17- 8x10 b/w photographs; 1- 8x10 b/w contact print) |
1971-1973, undated |
11 |
4 |
Company party (14- 3x3 color photographs) |
1972 |
11 |
5 |
Company picnic (49- 4x6 color photographs) |
2000 circa |
11 |
6 |
Coon Rapids Ford dealership (13- 3.5x5 color photographs) |
undated |
3 |
6 |
Corn cob pile (1- 3.5x5 color and 2- 8x10 b/w photographs) |
undated |
3 |
7 |
David Garst, Loren Tyler, and Steve Garst (1- 8x10 color photograph) |
1981 |
12 |
1 |
Equipment and machinery (17- 3.5x5 and 7- 4x6 color photographs) |
1992-1998, undated |
16 |
6 |
Equipment and machinery (15- 4x6 color photographs) |
1998 |
12 |
2 |
Equipment and vehicles (3- 3x3 color, 12- 3.5x5 color, and 15- 4x6 color photographs) |
1966-2002, undated |
12 |
3 |
Fields and pastures (44- 3.5x5 color photographs) |
1985-2001, undated |
17 |
1 |
Fields and pastures (32- 3.5x5 color photographs) |
1995-1998, undated |
17 |
2 |
Fieldwork (23- 3.5x5 and 3- 4x6 color photographs) |
1993-1999, undated |
12 |
4 |
Fieldwork (32- 3.5x5 color photographs) |
1994-1996 |
12 |
5 |
Fieldwork (9- 3.5x5 color and 5- 4x6 color photographs) |
2001-2002 |
12 |
6 |
Flooding (18- 3.5x5 color photographs) |
1986 |
13 |
1 |
Flooding (4- 3x4 color and 5- 3x4 b/w photographs) |
1986 |
17 |
3 |
Flooding (12- 3.5x5 and 33- 4x6 color photographs) |
1993 |
13 |
2 |
Flooding (18- 3.5x5 color photographs) |
1995-1999 |
17 |
4 |
Flooding (19- 3.5x5 color photographs) |
1998 |
13 |
3 |
Garst Company offices (1- 3x3 color and 3- 3.5x5 color photographs) |
1965-1996 |
3 |
8 |
Hog shed construction (14- 8x10 b/w photographs) |
undated |
13 |
4 |
Hunting: Deer cleaning (8- 3.5x4 color photographs) |
1978 |
13 |
5 |
Mutilated animals (16- 3.5x5 color photographs) |
1978-1996 |
13 |
6 |
People and employees (3- 3.5x5 b/w, 1- 2x3 color, 4- 3x4 color, 16- 3.5x5 color, 3- 4x6 color, 3- 5x7 color photographs) |
1965-1999, undated |
13 |
7 |
People and employees (3- 3x3 color, 4- 3x4 color, 21- 3.5x5 color photographs) |
1972-1981, undated |
17 |
5 |
People and employees (11- 3.5x5 and 15- 4x6 color photographs) |
1995-1999, undated |
18 |
1 |
People and employees: Mary and Stephen Garst (54- 3.5x5 color photographs) |
1977 circa-1980 |
Map case |
C406 D05 |
People and employees: Stephen Garst in cow yard with bull (1- 16x20 b/w photograph) |
undated |
13 |
8 |
Property: Buildings (2- 3.5x5 b/w, 6- 3.5x5 color, 14- 4x6 color photographs) |
1982-1995, undated |
13 |
9 |
Property: Buildings (26- 3.5x5 color photographs) |
1992-circa 1994 |
14 |
1 |
Property: Corn crib and home farm pit (16- 3.5x5 color photographs) |
1979, undated |
14 |
2 |
Property: Farm ponds (6- 3x3 color and 1- 3x4 b/w photographs) |
1969-1975 |
14 |
3 |
Property: Farm ponds (42- 3.5x5 color and 10- 4x6 color photographs) |
1992-2001 |
14 |
4 |
Property: Houses (16- 3.5x5 color photographs) |
1992-1993, undated |
14 |
5 |
Property: Houses (31- 3.5x5 color photographs) |
1992-1993, undated |
18 |
2 |
Property: Houses (17- 3.5x5 and 11- 4x6 color photographs) |
1993-1999 |
14 |
6 |
Property: Log cabin at White Rock (7- 3x3 and 2- 3.5x5 color photographs) |
1978, 1997 |
14 |
7 |
Property: Nielson lot, etc. (17- 4x6 color photographs) |
2002 |
14 |
8 |
Property: Riis farm and Kluever house (21- 3.5x5 color photographs) |
1997-1999 |
15 |
1 |
Property: Riis sale barn (9- 3.5x5 color photographs) |
1995 |
15 |
2 |
Property: Sale barn (9- 3.5x5 color and 6- 4x6 color photographs) |
1978-2000 |
15 |
3 |
Property: Sampers house (24- 3.5x5 color photographs) |
1992 |
15 |
4 |
Property: Shops (2-3.5x5 color and 14- 4x6 color photographs) |
1993 |
18 |
3 |
Property: Shops and barns (11- 3.5x5 and 11- 4x6 color photographs) |
1998, undated |
15 |
5 |
Railroad property (14- 3.5x5 color and 4- 5x7 color photographs) |
1992-1998, undated |
15 |
6 |
Scenery (8- 3.5x5 color photographs) |
undated |
3 |
9 |
Scrapbook (loose pages): Cattle and farm operations, machinery and equipment, fertilizer plant, lagoons, and property (51- 3x3 color, 43- 3.5x3.5 color, 35- 3.5x4.5 color, and 67- 3.5x5 color photographs) |
1979-1983 |
3 |
10 |
Scrapbook (loose pages): Company parties, employees, property, and cattle sales (3- 3x4 b/w, 9- 3.5x5 b/w, 12- 3.5x3.5 color, and 108 3.5x5 color photographs) |
1964-1990s |
3 |
11 |
Scrapbook (loose pages): Employees, cattle sale, property, lagoon, and equipment (63- 3x3 color and 96- 3.5x5 color photographs) |
1980 |
4 |
1 |
Scrapbook (loose pages): Employees, livestock, structures, and flooding (85- 3.5x5 color photographs) |
1989-1990 |
15 |
6 |
Tour of Simplot Company (28- 5x7 color photographs) |
1978 |
15 |
7 |
"Value-Based Marketing" slide presentation (48- 3.5x5 color photographs) |
1992 circa |
16 |
1 |
Whiterock in winter (29- 4x6 color photographs) |
1998 circa |
16 |
2 |
Whiterock, bike trails, and misc. scenery (23- 3.5x5 and 4- 4x6 color photographs) |
1993-1998, undated |
16 |
3 |
Wildlife (10- 3.5x5, 2- 4x6, 4- 5x7 color photographs) |
1987-2001 |