Brigham Young University. Agricultural Operations

Brigham Young University has owned farms since its inception in 1903. Initially the Physical Plant Dept. operated and tilled donated land near the University in order to generate revenue and feed students during the Great Depression. The University's land-holdings and operations began to grow when a Dairy was purchased in 1946. In 1954 Agricultural Operations was organized within Auxiliary Services in order to manage and facilitate the administration of the University's agricultural holdings. Agricultural Operations was reorganized and renamed the BYU Agricultural Station in the early 1980's. Directors included James B. Hill (1954-1956), William B. Harrison (1956-1958), R. Bliss Allred (1958-1968) and Max Wallentine (1968-1981).

Variant names

B.Y.U. Farm

Brigham Young University. Farm Operations

Brigham Young University. Farm Management

AgOps

Description

Established: 1954

Abolished: 1981

Location: Provo, Utah (1954-1981)

Functions

Agricultural Operations was in charge of all agricultural endeavors undertaken by the University. This includes the management of Rolling Hills Orchard in Emmett, Idaho, as well as properties in Phoenix, Anaheim, San Fernando Valley, Fremont City, Portland, Idaho Falls, Milo, Jerome, and Rexburg. Other functions include teaching students to cope with problems in weed infestation, fertility, drainage, irrigation, topography, feed production and storage, animal nutrition and management, dairy science, record keeping, meat production, horticulture, and overall management of a complex farm. Agricultural Operations managed relations between the University and Spanish Fork Farm, the B.Y.U. Farm, the Ellsworth Meat Laboratory, the Animal Science Center, and, tangentially, the Ezra Taft Benson Agricultural and Food Institute.

Assets and Administrative Structure

In 1954, Agricultural Operations reported to Auxiliary Services. In 1957, Agricultural Operations began reporting to the College of Biological and Agricultural Sciences. In 1959 Agricultural Operations began to report to Auxiliary Services and the College of Biological and Agricultural Sciences. Beginning in 1960 Auxiliary becomes a Vice-Presidency which changes names several times. Agricultural Operations then reports both the college as well to following: the Vice-President in Charge of Auxiliary Services, the Vice-President of Auxiliary Services and Communication Services, the Vice-President of Business, the Vice-President of Business Affairs, and the Vice-President of Support Services (respectively).

Associated Units

Superior Unit: Brigham Young University. Auxiliary Services (1954-1969)

Superior Unit: Brigham Young University. College of Biological and Agricultural Sciences (1957-1980)

Later unit: BYU Agriculture Station (1980)

Associated unit: Brigham Young University. Food Services (1954-1980)

Associated unit: Brigham Young University. Dept. of Horticulture and Horticultural Specialties (1954-1964)

Associated unit: Brigham Young University. Dept. of Agronomy (1954-1968)

Associated unit: Brigham Young University. Dept. of Animal Husbandry (1954-1964)

Associated unit: Brigham Young University. Dept. of Agricultural Economics (1955-1983)

Associated unit: Brigham Young University. Dept. of Animal Science (1964-1983)

Associated unit: Brigham Young University. Dept. of Horticulture (1964-1968)

Associated unit: Brigham Young University. Dept. of Agronomy and Horticulture (1968-1983)

Sources

Brigham Young University Annual Catalog 1954-1955 p. 15 (James B. Hill, Farm Operations Manager; within Auxiliary Services)

Brigham Young University Annual Catalog 1956-1957 p. 11 (William B. Harrison, Manager)

UA 1326 Carton 44 Organizational Charts of Department of Auxiliary and Communication Services 1965 (Farm Operations listed as unit under Auxiliary Services; R. Bliss Allred listed as Farm Manager; Allred reports both to the Vice President of Auxiliary Services and to the Dean of the College of Agriculture.)

UA 1365 Box 24 Fol 3 (Organizational charts showing Max Wallentine as Assistant Dean of the College of Biological and Agricultural Sciences, as well as Director of Agricultural Operations. Underneath him are two assistant directors: Hoopes and Wistisen. Another chart shows the breakdown of Agricultural Operations as follows: Director-assistant director-dairy/orchards/farm&crops/Feed Mill - all dated 1972)

Brigham Young University The First One-Hundred Years Vol. III p. 601-608 (Within the College of Biological and Agricultural Sciences, began in 1957; Placed back within Auxiliary Services in 1959; Bliss Allred director of Agricultural Operations until 1968, after which Max V. Wallentine became director; Agricultural Operations also managed the Rolling Hills Orchard in Emmett, Idaho, as well as properties in Phoenix, Anaheim, San Fernando Valley, Fremont City, Portland, Idaho Falls, Milo, Jerome, and Rexburg; )

1000 Views of 100 Years p. 148 (BYU operated and maintained many farms under physical plant dept. until the organization of agricultural operations in 1946)

1000 Views of 100 Years p. 221 (The Spanish Fork farm was run by a manager and director who reported to director of Agricultural Operations. Ag-Operations also owned the Animal Science Center. Functions of Ag-Ops include: teaching students to cope with problems in weed infestation, fertility, drainage, irrigation, topography, feed production and storage, animal nutrition and management, dairy science, record keeping, meat production, horticulture, and overall management of a complex farm)

Phone Call to Max Wallentine August 23, 2011

Maintenance Information

Record ID: EAC-2011-00133

Creator: ARC