Interview with Charles E. Barnhart, October 29, 1996

Interview Summary

Charles Barnhart discusses his appointment as associate director of the Experiment Station in 1962. He mentions key personnel who helped him to adjust, and notes the need for stability and a hands-on approach. Barnhart also remembers the relationship between Dean William Seay of the College of Agriculture and UK President John Oswald.

Barnhart was appointed as director of the Experiment Station in 1966. He discusses the differences in various administrative plans for the College of Agricultural during the mid-1960s. Barnhart describes these how these changes would affect funding of the two federal programs, the Extension Service and the Experiment Station. He also talks about some of the problems UK experienced regarding the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Cooperative State Research service.

Barnhart recalls a few anecdotes about Dean Seay, including his experience as an airplane pilot. He talks about the reorganization of the statewide Extension Service around 1962, which proved to be unsuccessful. He states the plan was opposed by the Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation and that he tried to dissuade Seay from implementing it. Barnhart says he terminated the plan when he became dean in 1969. Barnhart also remembers Seay's death when his plane crashed in February 1969.

Interview LC Subject

Barnhart, Charles E., 1923- Barnhart, Charles E., 1923- --Interviews Oswald, John W. (John Wieland), 1917-1995 University of Kentucky University of Kentucky--History Agriculture

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