In 1949, Hollis Miller’s seed and supply company focused on providing quality seed and improving production through fertilizer and chemicals. Additionally, he developed a seed cleaning facility which contributed to the York County economy. Hollis recognized the benefits of anhydrous ammonia and was the first marketer in 1952. He also encouraged soil testing, liming soils where needed and promoting efficient use of fertilizer and chemicals.
Thank you, President Klosterman.
Distinguished guests and friends. It is my honor and privilege to present the tribute to the 111th honoree of the Nebraska Hall of Agriculture Achievement. Since the first honoree in 1917, individuals representing many different agricultural fields have received this recognition. Tonight's honoree has distinguished himself through his service in the field of agribusiness. He has also been a very special citizen in his community. It is especially appropriate that, York, Nebraska, the community to which he has given so much is the backdrop for tonight's presentation.
Hollis B. Miller was born in York County and was raised on a farm east of Benedict. He graduated from Benedict High School and continued his education on East Campus at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. He was called into service in World War II, serving 33 months overseas. When he returned from the service he worked for Herb Lauber and Blue Valley Hybrids and for Bill Pflug at Pflug Seed Company until 1949 when he established Miller Seed & Supply Co.
The company focused on providing quality seed to customers and in helping growers to improve production through use of fertilizer and chemicals. He developed a seed cleaning facility to achieve his goal to provide improved quality seed. The seed cleaning facility also contributed to the economy of York County by providing growers a market for small grains, alfalfa, grain sorghum, bromegrass, sweetclover, popcorn, and later soybeans. Miller Seed & Supply continues to condition seed and offer a market for several of those seed crops today. He became a member, grower and approved conditioner for the Nebraska Crop Improvement Association in 1950.
In 1953 he established Miller Custom Service to provide for production and harvesting of seeds. Included in crops produced were popcorn for the Crackerjack and Vogel popcorn companies and milo until production of that seed crop shifted to the Texas panhandle.
He became an early promoter of soybeans when they were first introduced into the area in the early 1960's. His vision was correct. Today soybeans are produced on about one-half of the cropland in York County.
He recognized the potential benefit to growers from Anhydrous Ammonia and was the first marketer of the product in York County in 1952. York Fertilizer Company was founded that year and grew to seven distribution plant locations when it was sold in 1983. He always encouraged good farming practices such as soil testing, liming soils where needed and promoting efficient use of fertilizer and chemicals. Miller Seed & Supply sponsored an education day that brought agricultural chemical and fertilizer suppliers together with extension personnel to provide farmers an opportunity to learn to use these new tools for crop production. This type of meeting was the forerunner of what the University of Nebraska now provides in Crop Protection Clinics.
While he was growing and developing his businesses Holly was also providing leadership to the state associations representing these industries. He served as a board member and President of the Nebraska Seedsmen Association. In fact, my introduction to Holly came at the 1958 meeting of the Seedsmen at the old Cornhusker Hotel in Lincoln when he was serving one of his terms as president of the group. He also served several terms on the board and was president of the Nebraska Crop Improvement Association.
He served on the board and as president of the Nebraska Fertilizer and Ag Chemical Institute. During the ten years he served as legislative chairman for that group he became a familiar and respected face at the state capital. He was proactive in creating legislation that enabled that industry to grow and thrive. He was also supportive of legislation that provided a favorable climate for small business, agriculture, and the University of Nebraska.
He has supported the University of Nebraska and particularly IANR. He served on an Advisory Committees for Dean Froelich and for the Department of Agronomy. He was on the first LEAD board and continues to encourage young men and women to participate in that program. And Holly bleeds Husker Red. He is a great fan who has followed the Huskers home and away.
In addition to membership in this Hall of Agricultural Achievement, Holly has also been honored by the Knights of Aksarben, Nebraska Crop Improvement Association, Phillips Petroleum Company, the Sertoma, and the FFA. He has received the Community Service Award from the York Chamber of Commerce. He values the recognition he received from the Small Business Administration because of his long-standing belief that small business is the backbone of our nation. He has strong belief in the importance of sustaining local businesses and rural communities and is willing to share those views.
While the contributions that Holly has made to agriculture through his commitment and vision have been enough to earn the recognition he is receiving tonight, his contributions to his community have been as much or more significant.
He helped create and was the first president of the York Community Foundation. He has served on the York Economic Development Committee where he has worked to retain and develop current business as well as attract new industry.
Holly has served on the board of the York General Hospital since 1970 and the Hearthstone Rest Home since 1978. He helped facilitate the merger of those two facilities last year. As a member and president of the Hearthstone board he was an advocate for patients and employees, visiting regularly to be sure resident patient needs where being met. He often worked behind the scenes to find ways to meet financial needs for someone that needed care they couldn't afford.
I mentioned earlier Holly's support of the LEAD program. This interest and concern for young people is long standing. For many years he sponsored the York Legion baseball program.
In visiting with members of the community I heard how he established the lawn care service, which continues to today, at Miller Seed & Supply. The service not only benefited homeowners and businesses but also the students from York College and the high school who worked for him. Several people indicated that the real motive behind the creation of that service was to help young people. When I interviewed several people in the community, I heard how the students learned about job expectations, doing jobs carefully and completely.
One young man has gone on to become national sales manager for a large company in another state. He credits Hollis Miller and Miller Seed & Supply for teaching him how to work and he attributes his success to that work experience.
The recognition for Hollis would not be complete without including recognition for his late wife Lenore who was his business partner, traveling companion and strong supporter in all his activities. She was also a very special, caring person.
Though they did not have children of their own, they provided a home and support for their two nieces after the untimely death of Lenore's sister and brother-in-law in a plane crash.
For many years they provided scholarships to help students continue their education. Beyond those scholarships they offered encouragement and financial help to many other young people. Hollis continues this tradition today.
Holly's pastor, Harry Brown, summed up the kind of person we are honoring tonight. He said he is a "hands on person." As a member of the building and grounds committee he doesn't just give direction, he gets down on his knees and fixes the sprinkler system when it is needs it. He is a loyal and committed person. If he commits to do something he will follow through, even if he later disagrees with a part of the project or event. Pastor Brown also commented on his generosity and loyalty.
And he told how even now, each Wednesday evening Holly serves as a table parent to a table of eight preschool to fourth grade children. He continues to teach and pass on his credo for living.
Dave Gartner who purchased, Miller Seed & Supply in 1991 and continues many of the business practices established by Holly, says that what he learned most from his mentor is the importance of integrity in business. "A man's word is his bond" is the statement Dave remembers--and I have heard Holly repeat that many times myself. Our company had a business relationship with Miller Seed & Supply for 50 years and I can attest Holly lives that adage.
Hollis Miller has made a difference in Agriculture in York County and in Nebraska. He has made a difference in this community. He has influenced lives in and outside of agriculture. Hollis Miller, we thank you for all your contributions and congratulate you on your accomplishments.
