Arnel Hallauer became director of ISU’s maize breeding program
In 1959, Arnel Hallauer became director of Iowa State University’s (ISU) maize breeding program. Hallauer was part of…
The National Seed Storage Laboratory opens in Fort Collins, Colorado
In 1958, the National Seed Storage Laboratory (NSSL), the first long-term seed storage facility in the world, opened…
Agriculture | Biology | Environmental | EPA | Forestry | Life Science History | USDA
USDA Forest Service Spayed DDT to Control spruce budworm in Oregon Forest
In Jul. 1955, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) sprayed DDT as…
Geneticist Barbara McClintock issued report on transposable elements
In 1947, Little-known geneticist Barbara McClintock issued her first report on transposable elements – known today as jumping…
Maurice C. Hall developed a technique, known as the “NIH swab,” to diagnose enterobiasis
In 1937, Maurice C. Hall developed a technique, known as the “NIH swab,” to diagnose enterobiasis; it is…
Agriculture | Biotechnology | Diagnostics | Infectious Disease | Life Science History | USDA | Veterinary
New World screwworm migrated to Southeast U.S.
In 1933, the New World Screwworm (NWS) was first documented as a significant problem in the Southeast following…
Congress voted to cut off the Seed Distribution Program
In 1925, the U.S. Congress voted to cut off its expensive Seed Distribution Program, which had consumed more…
FDA | Life Science History | Medicine | USDA
The Supreme Court ruled that the Food and Drugs Act condemned every statement on a product’s label that may mislead or deceive
On Jun. 2, 1924, in U.S. v. 95 Barrels Alleged Apple Cider Vinegar, the Supreme Court ruled that…
The USDA reported more than 50,000 foreign plants have been introduced into the US since 1862
In 1923, more than 50,000 foreign plants had been introduced into the United States since 1862 by the…
Edward Francis extended the earlier observations on tularemia
In 1919, Edward Francis extended the earlier observations on tularemia. His other studies, continued into the 1920s, clarified…
Drs., McCoy, Chapin, Wherry, and Lamb elucidated a new disease, tularemia
In 1911, Drs. George W. McCoy, Charles W. Chapin, William B. Wherry, and B. H. Lamb elucidated a…
Charles Nicolle and Louis Manceaux at the Pasteur Institute first described Toxoplasma gondii
In 1908, Charles Nicolle and Louis Manceaux at the Pasteur Institute were the first to describe Toxoplasma gondii…
First Certified Color Regulations, requested by manufacturers and users, list seven colors found suitable for use in foods
In 1907, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued Food Inspection Decision (F.I.D.) 76, which contained a…
The USDA created the Section of Seed and Plant Introduction
In 1899, the USDA created the Section of Seed and Plant Introduction, which assigns its first Plant Introduction…
The vedalia beetle (aka lady bug) introduced from Australia to California to control cottonycushion scale
In 1889, the vedalia beetle (aka lady bug) was introduced from Australia to California to control cottonycushion scale,…
The Hatch Act established the national system of agricultural research experiment stations
In 1887, the Hatch Act, written by Seaman Knapp and Charles Bessey on the faculty at Iowa Agricultural…
The Oleomargarine Act defined the essence of butter and imposed a two-cent per pound tax on oleomargarine
On Jul. 23, 1886, the 49th Congress (1885–1887) set in motion an era of commercial regulation by passing…
Iowa State University established the nation’s first College of Veterinary Medicine
In 1879, the College of Veterinary Medicine was established at Iowa State University in Ames, the nation’s first…
The Morrill Act which created the U.S. and-grant system of colleges was enacted
On Jul. 2, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed into law the Morrill Act, or the Land Grant Colleges…
The Organic Act established the U.S. Department of Agriculture
On May 15, 1862, the Organic Act established the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and directed its commissioner to…
The U.S. Patent and Trade Office annual seed distribution exceeded 24 million packages of seeds
In 1861, the U.S. Patent and Trade Office (USPTO) annual seed distribution exceeded 2.4 million packages of seed…