Interview with Wesley P. Garrigus, December 7, 1978

Interview Summary

Wesley P. Garrigus was born in June of 1909 in Storrs, Connecticut, on the campus of the University of Connecticut. He lived there until he graduated with his Bachelor's degree in 1931. He was doing research for his doctorate during the early 1930's at the University of Illinois, where he met Dr. E. S. Good of the University of Kentucky at a meeting in Chicago, who offered him a position in the University of Kentucky in 1937. By 1941, Garrigus was appointed Chairman of the Animal Industries Group at UK, which included all aspects of the livestock field. He discusses Kentucky's agricultural and livestock history, which dates back prior to the Civil War.

Garrigus describes the major changes that have occurred in the livestock industry. He discusses at length the UK College of Agriculture's role in the history and purpose of the land grant institution, and its support of the "three-way approach" of research, teaching and extension programs. He talks about various evaluation techniques developed to increase production with less expense. Garrigus describes what to expect in the agricultural industry over the next twenty-five years. He mentions Good's landmark development of a vaccine for the prevention of contagious abortion in horses. Garrigus mentions Good was assisted in this research by Amanda Harms.

Garrigus mentions Henry Besuden, owner of Vinewood Farm, and a former UK basketball center. He also mentions Brownell Combs, owner of Merewood Farm. Garrigus talks about the history of the Saddle and Sirloin Club's Portrait Gallery, which started in 1903 near the Chicago Stockyards, but was moved to the West Hall in the Executive West Hotel near the Kentucky State Fairgrounds in Louisville, Kentucky. Garrigus's portrait was added in 1983. He talks about his wife and family. He emphasizes that teaching and personal interaction with students is what he values the most in his job.

Interview Keyword

Kentucky's Cooperative Extension Service

Interview LC Subject

Garrigus, Wesley P., 1909- Garrigus, Wesley P., 1909- --Interviews University of Kentucky University of Kentucky--History University of Kentucky. Cooperative Extension Service

Interview Rights

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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.