I grew up on a farm and went to Iowa State. I planned to go into Extension, but my adviser said we bought seeds from Ball and I should try interviewing with them. That was 24 years ago and I have been doing the trials ever since.

He's from our neighborhood, he was born in Ames, grew up in Ames, went to Iowa State, and he's a wonderful poet. After working a long time in insurance, he's finally being honored and appreciated as a poet.

We aren't taking anyone or any part of the state for granted. Bob already has a following in northwest Iowa and I want to personally meet and talk with the citizens and hear their concerns first hand.

It's like a mini Iowa-Iowa State.

It did not have agronomic value but was attractive. He entered the plant in the AAS trials, and it was selected as a gold-medal winner. He was a breeder, not a seed producer or marketer, so we helped get it to market through Pan American Seed Company, one of our subsidiaries.

But they take time to come along.