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, ...
Click here for full text