Dale demonstrated a life-time passion for teaching scientific concepts and applications to enhance Nebraska’s production agriculture. He was an authority on understanding the diversity and dynamics of corn and soybean production. In the classroom, Dr. Flowerday’s success was his effective communication ability. Regardless of the topic, he shared his well-educated opinions which were consistently grounded in experience and scientific fact.
President Fenster, honored guests and friends. It is a pleasure to be here with you tonight and such a privilege to deliver this tribute to one of the two 2009 Nebraska Hall of Agricultural Achievement honorees, Dr. Dale Flowerday.
When I was asked to provide this tribute last November, I thought to myself, "At Dale's age, and being this far out in advance of the recognition, I hope the Board has an alternate selection in mind." In fact Dale, I noticed on the back of tonight's program the first person honored by the Hall was R.W. Daniels in 1917. Dale, did you happen to know Mr. Daniels? I promise you, Dale, no more cheap shots about your age. I'll just be more direct.
Already, just the mention of Dale's name has brought a smile if not laughter to our hearts. For it is this man who has inspired, challenged, motivated, mentored if not physically helped many Nebraskan's achieve their passions. Oh yes, and don't forget the dash of humor he often bestows upon us.
To develop this tribute to an icon of Nebraska agriculture, we have six decades of information with which to work with. So where does one start?
It all started for Dale following his service to our country in the U.S. Army and serving in the Korean Conflict. Dale then assumed the leadership role as the first Superintendent of the University of Nebraska Northeast Experiment Station in 1956.
Next, Dale continued his career with the University by serving as an Extension Agronomist. It was during this period of time Dale acquired an understanding and appreciation for the diversity and dynamics of the crop production industry in Nebraska. It was also during this time that Dale was developing a reputation among the farming community as an authority in the corn and soybean world. Later in his career, this statewide recognition would serve as a recruiting magnet for students majoring in Agronomy at University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Dale and his family then moved south, and he served as Deputy Director of the Nebraska Extension Mission to Columbia for a period of three years. Dale returned to the Department of Agronomy at UNL as Vice-Chairman and served as Professor of Agronomy for fourteen years.
I personally never had Dale Flowerday for an instructor at the University of Nebraska. However, I, like many of you, are students of Dale.
"Flowerday," as he is often referred to, is a walking "Wikipedia" of information. Dale will provide an impromptu lecture on an array of topics no matter the time or location. In addition, whether you like it or not, you will receive an editorial side bar. In fact, we once hired Dale for a Soybean Management Field Day program and marketed him as the "Soybean Answer Man." After the first session of the day, someone took the liberty to cross out the words "answer man" on the sign to the entrance to the tent an inserted "opinion man." Yes, at some point of the discussion you will get Dale's opinion on whatever the topic. But that opinion is often based on experience and scientific fact. The underlying denominator of Dale's success is his ability to effectively communicate with an audience of one or hundreds. Dale has been blessed with a talent to teach. A faculty member once noted; "Dale's main attribute as an educator is the fact he admits when he's wrong or will just say point blank, I don't know." During his time on campus, students and colleagues recognized Dale for his accomplishments in the classroom as he received numerous awards for his teaching excellence. Students, young or old, back then and still today are captivated with Dale's understanding and knowledge of crop production.
Today many of Dale's students represent the foundation of the crop production industry in Nebraska, the United States, and even on an International scale. Walk into an eating establishment with Dale at "anywhere Nebraska" and there is a high probability a former student will walk up to Dale and ask a question or better yet ask for his opinion regarding a crop production topic. Dale's former students can also be found at Land Grant institutions across this country who today serve in research, teaching and extension roles. Dale has left his mark on the world, as former graduate students are now positioned in teaching and agricultural leadership roles in their respective countries.
Dale decided back in 1983 to make a career change and made his mark, or maybe I should say, left his mark with private industry by serving as Agronomy Manager for Pioneer Hi-Bred International for the Plains Sales Area.
Then in 1995, Dale started DalMar Consulting, an independent consulting business which today serves agribusiness and farm operators across Nebraska and the Midwest.
Today, at age four score and two, Dale is still sought after by industry, farm operators and academia in a consulting role to develop educational programs and to teach. This effort takes Dale on a typical day during the growing season to the heart of corn, soybean, wheat, and grain sorghum fields across Nebraska. As an example, Dale has been called to a corn or soybean hail damaged field at "anywhere Nebraska" to teach growers and consultants on how to assess the damage and to discuss their management options. Growers leave the field more knowledgeable on hail damage assessment and their management alternatives. Even though there is extensive crop damage, surprisingly most producers feel good about the time they invested in attending this educational program. You will note a surprising number of smiles on faces and humor in the crowd as they leave the presentation. This represents a trademark of Flowerday programs. Let us note for the record, Dale conducted the initial research under Nebraska growing conditions and developed guidelines on the assessment of crop damage of corn and soybeans. In addition, Flowerday developed classroom instruction materials which are still being used today.
During the non-growing season, one can find Dale behind a podium teaching, developing an educational program for the Nebraska Agri-Business Association, or testifying on behalf of a client in the courtroom. Dale has also served on the Board of Directors of the Lower Platte South NRD and the Research Advisory Committee for the Nebraska Soybean Board. As a practicing agronomist Dale has memberships in the American Society of Agronomy, International Crop Advisor Association, and Nebraska Crop Advisor Assn.
As one can imagine Dale has received countless number of awards during his career. Most importantly, Dale has demonstrated a life- time passion for teaching scientific concepts and applications to those involved with production agriculture in Nebraska.
It gives me great pleasure to present to you the 2009 Honoree of the Nebraska Hall of Agricultural Achievement, Dale Flowerday.
