On this day in 1898, Roswell Garst was born in Coon Rapids, Iowa—later becoming one of the state’s most influential figures in modern agriculture.
Garst made his name in the 1930s by helping develop and promote hybrid corn seed, a breakthrough that boosted crop yields and changed farming forever. After teaming up with future Vice President Henry A. Wallace, Garst co-founded Garst & Thomas Hi-Bred Corn Company and became a leading advocate for the use of fertilizer to improve soil health and production.
But Garst didn’t just influence farming in Iowa—he left his mark on the world stage. In 1959, during the height of the Cold War, he welcomed Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev to his farm in Coon Rapids. The visit drew international attention and is still remembered as one of the most unexpected moments in Iowa history—especially after Garst famously hurled silage at reporters crowding the Soviet leader.
Outspoken, innovative, and deeply committed to feeding the world, Roswell Garst’s legacy lives on in the fields he helped transform.
