Title
Adopt Resolution commending David M. Williams upon his selection as the National Steinbeck Center's 2012 Valley of the World Hall of Fame honoree (Supervisor Parker)
Body
WHEREAS, David M. Williams grew up on a citrus ranch in Rialto, California where he learned the fundamentals of farming from his father, who was an outstanding citrus grower;
WHEREAS, after graduating in 1942 with a degree in Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, David M. Williams began work with University of California Agricultural Extension Service as an Assistant Farm Advisor;
WHEREAS, David M. Williams served in the US Army, 34th Infantry, participating in three island landings in the Philippines, and after being wounded, was re-assigned to an Army farm, managed by Colonel Seabrook, that raised fresh vegetables for the Army and Navy;
WHEREAS, David M. Williams accepted a job with Growers Ice and Development Company in 1946 where he conducted research projects including trials on sprinkler irrigation, fertilizer, and lettuce thinning;
WHEREAS, in 1947 David M. Williams married Margaret Prausa and together they raised six children;
WHEREAS, David M. Williams later managed a cattle ranch in Oregon, then moved to New Jersey where he worked for Seabrook Farms under Dr. Thornthwaite, a climatologist, preparing planting schedules utilizing a growth index method developed by Thornthwaite;
WHEREAS, In 1952, David M. Williams, accepted a position as an agricultural advisor with Bruce Church Inc (BCI) until 1953 when he was appointed Production Manager and, despite skepticism from others in the industry, implemented sprinkler irrigation for improved germination of lettuce seed and crop stand in the Salinas Valley. In time, other growers adopted the system and in 1960's he supervised the commercial use of sprinklers for lettuce germination in Imperial Valley;
WHEREAS, Over the years David M. Williams worked for BCI, he contributed to the development of the White Wing and Parker Ranches, the development of improved lettuce wrap film, the establishment of BC Seeds, the organization of a Research and Development department, the selection of several new lettuce varieties with BC Seeds, and the management of the BCI cattle and horse ranch;
WHEREAS, David M. Williams's leadership role with the introduction of the Lettuce Mosaic Virus (LMV) control procedures was a vital contribution to the lettuce industry. He served as Chair of the Grower Shipper Association LMV control committee until 1974, demonstrating cooperative work between industry members, university plant pathologists, and farm advisors;
WHEREAS, in 1975 David M. Williams formed Eagle Research and Development Inc (ERDI) a business that built and patented a variety of specialized pieces of equipment for BCI and conducted numerous projects for the Iceberg Lettuce Research Board including carton design, temperature management in lettuce loads, and russet spotting control in lettuce; and
WHEREAS, David M. Williams has devoted his lifetime to further agricultural research for the benefit of the industry.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Monterey County Board of Supervisors, on behalf of the County and all citizens thereof, congratulates David M. Williams on his selection as the National Steinbeck Center's 2012 Valley of the World Hall of Fame honoree, and wishes him continued success in all of his future endeavors.