348 AMERICAN POTATO JOURNAL [Vol. 47

O R R I N C. T U R N Q U I S T H O N O R E D

It is indeed a pleasure for me to introduce my friend of long stand- ing and to present him for Honorary Life Membership in The Potato Association of America. Dr. Orrin C. Turnquist, professor and extension horticulturist at the University of Minnesota, is widely known among the state's growers of potatoes and other vegetables. He has served as secretary of the Minnesota Vegetable Growers' Association since its

1970] ORRIN C. TURNQUIST HONORED 349

organization in 1949. Dr. Turnquist has been a director, vice president and president of The Potato Association of America and is a member of the European Association for Potato Research. In 1966 he was granted leave from the University and was awarded a Ford Foundation Travel grant to study potato breeding in Europe.

He became an extension specialist at the University in October, 1949, and his work since then has been largely with commercial potato and vegetable producers as well as with other farmers and home gardeners. Orrin has been engaged also in teaching courses in general horticulture, vegetable crops and horticultural crop judging. He has coached several collegiate vegetable judging teams in national contests. He has been secre- tary of the Ninth District Horticultural Society and has worked with garden clubs in Minnesota for many years. In 1961 he received the dis- tinguished service award of the Minnesota Horticultural Society. He has also been awarded the honorary F F A State Farmers ' degree.

Orrin, who was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota April 29, 1913, holds B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Minnesota. His first job was on the Minnesota staff as horticulturist at the Northwest School of Agriculture and Experiment Station, Crookston. He moved from there to potato variety testing work at the University of Minnesota, St. Paul campus. Before becoming an extension specialist, he served the U.S. Department of Agriculture as regional co-ordinator for potato breeding work in the six states of the North Central region, with head- quarters at the Institute of Agriculture. He is presently in charge of the terminal phase of the Potato Breeding Project of the University.

Orrin is well known throughout the United States and Canada as a judge of potato and vegetable exhibits.

He is the author of numerous research and extension publications on potatoes and vegetables.

January 18, 1969 was a very special day for him. On the morning radio program of station WCCO he received a citation for "Good Neigh- bor of the Northwest" for work in potato promotion and development. At a luncheon of the Minnesota Vegetable and Potato Growers' Annual Meeting he was presented a plaque for being one of the founders and for twenty years of service to the Association and industry. As a final tribute for his respected and deicated service in Minnesota, he was presented with an Honorary Life Membership in their Association. Orrin is held in high esteem by potato and vegetable growers in his state. During the 12 years I spent in the Red River Valley I noted his excellent acceptance by the potato growers of Minnesota and North Dakota. I'll never forget the efficient manner in which he conducted his potato variety field days.

Professional organizations in which he holds memberships include the Minnesota Agricultural Chemical Association, American Society for Horticultural Science, Sigma Xi, Gamma Sigma Delta, Alpha Zeta and Epsilon Sigma Phi.

Mr. President, I am pleased to present by friend and colleague, Dr. Orrin C. Turnquist for Honorary Life Membership in the Potato As- sociation of America.

WM. G. HOYlVIAN