Interview with Garland M. Bastin, November 21, 1984

Interview Summary

Garland M. Bastin "was born in Hardyville, Kentucky, Hart County, on September 13, 1920. He has a B. S. and M.S. degree from the College of Agriculture at the University of Kentucky. He talks about early experiences that inspired him to work in Extension Services, specifically the 4-H Club at Monroe County High School in the early 1930's. Bastin names several "enthusiastic and dedicated individuals" that influenced him. He talks about his first project, which was an acre of corn, describing how his "average acre" produced 75 bushels of corn rather than the expected 25 bushels.

Bastin discusses his first job for Extension Services as Assistant County Agent in Logan County from 1946 to 1948, after coming out of the service in World War II. He says his primary responsibility was 4-H Club work, where he supervised both activities and personnel. Bastin came back to UK to work in 1948 as Superintendent of the Dairy Herd and says he was responsible for personnel, the research projects designed for the dairy animals, and training 4-H and Future Farmers of America (FFA) judging teams. Bastin became a State Specialist in Dairy Extension from 1953-1961. He discusses the changes in milk production during this period and describes his activities and goals as a Specialist that he accomplished during this time. He mentions several individuals that are considered "pioneers and leaders" in the Kentucky dairy industry.

Bastin was a District Leader for Extension Services from 1961-1964, where he supervised 21 counties and the agents for this area. He was both Program Specialist in Agriculture and Acting Chairman of Agricultural Programs under Dean William Seay and remembers the changes in UK's Agricultural Department after Dean Seay was killed in a plane crash in 1969. He was 4-H Specialist before he became Area Program Director in the Louisville area and then came back to U.K. to become Extension Specialist for the Animal Sciences Department. He retired from U.K. in 1977 to accept the position of Farmer's Advocate with Kentucky State Government under Governor Julian Carroll's administration. Bastin says he helped establish the Sale of Champions at the Kentucky State Fair, re-establish Farm-City Week and recalls serving as the Executive Director of the 14th International Grassland Congress in 1981 during this time. He talks about his family and the interviewer mentions his many awards and scholarships.

Interview Keyword

Kentucky's Cooperative Extension Service

Interview LC Subject

Bastin, Garland M., 1920- Bastin, Garland M., 1920- --Interviews University of Kentucky University of Kentucky--History University of Kentucky. Cooperative Extension Service Agriculture

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Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.