(Coon Rapids Enterprise, 5 Oct. 1956)
(Coon Rapids Enterprise, 4 Nov. 1955)
Growing Diplomacy
Iowa Corn Field (The Kinnick Project, N.d.)
Cultivating the Relationship: 1955-1959
After considerable U.S. State Department debate, Garst received approval for the first of many USSR diplomatic trips from 1955-1959, where he met with Khrushchev, sold hybrid seed, and helped the Soviets grow their own corn through better agricultural methods and technology.
(Coon Rapids Enterprise, 3 Apr. 1959)
"The President and the U.S. State Department had to make a decision to allow Garst to travel. Eisenhower was President at the time and I believe his instincts, as someone who had seen combat and had troops die under his command, was to do all the things he could in order to promote peace and maintain stability. This decision may seem small but was of very significant consequence."
-Ambassador Kenneth Quinn, President Emeritus, World Food Prize Foundation (Personal interview, 22 March 2022)
1959 U.S. Diplomatic Tour
Upon President Eisenhower’s invitation, in September 1959, Khrushchev went on a twelve-day U.S. tour, becoming the first Soviet Premier to visit the states. His itinerary, which started and ended in Washington, D.C. with diplomatic meetings, included stops in major cities that showcased American manufacturing, infrastructure, culture, and by Khrushchev’s special request, Coon Rapids, Iowa to see Roswell Garst, the only individual he met with other than Eisenhower.
"Our common purpose should be a just, universal and enduring peace..."
-President Eisenhower, welcome speech (American History, Aug. 2015)
(Washington Journal, 19 Aug. 1959)
"Coast-to-coast and back routes indicated will be taken by Soviet Premier." (Rochester Times Union, 24 Aug. 1959)
(Carroll Daily Times Herald, 21 Aug 1959)
Coon Rapids
"I don't have any expectations that the world's problems are going to be all solved because he comes to Coon Rapids. But I am hopeful that his visit here will be a contribution to the solving of the world's problems."
-Garst to his critics (Garst, Letter, 26 Aug. 1959)
Khrushchev's Iowa visit started on September 22 having dinner with Garst in Des Moines where they discussed both farming and foreign relations. The next day, Khrushchev's long-anticipated trip to Coon Rapids created public hysteria, with thousands of people lining the route and over 600 reporters gathered to catch a glimpse of the two men.
(The Des Moines Register, 23 Sept. 1959)
Khrushchev’s Visit to Iowa (WOI-TV Film Collection, 1959)
"Elevated view of Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev wading through a throng of reporters during a visit to a farm." (Wisconsin Historical Society, 1959)
Their well-functioning diplomatic relationship formed through farming was on full public display as the two men toured Garst's farm, exchanged agricultural ideas, and demonstrated obvious respect for one another even when they disagreed. Khrushchev's Iowa visit set a positive tone for diplomatic talks only days later with Eisenhower at Camp David.
"Previously I had pictured Garst as a modest man in his work. Now I saw him in his natural element. I saw him in action and strong feelings of respect for him blazed up in me. I retain that respect for him even today."
-Nikita Khrushchev (Memoirs of Nikita Khrushchev, 2007, p. 143)
(Munroe, Iowa State University Archives, 23 Sept. 1959)
(Life, 5 Oct. 1959)
"Garst farms mass feedlots." (Munroe, Ohio History Connection, 23 Sept. 1959)
(The Boone News-Republican, 24 Sept. 1959)
"We do not intend to blow up the capitalist world with bombs. If we catch up with the U.S. in per capita production of meat, butter, and milk, we will have hit the pillar of capitalism with the most powerful torpedo yet seen."
-Khrushchev speech (Look, 15 Sept. 1959)