GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER:
A blend of business and science, he left legacy of agricultural research still applicable today
By GLORIA SANDERS McCUTCHEON, Special to The T&D
The Times and Democrat,
February 18, 2003
http://www.thetandd.com/articles/2003/02/17/features/features1.t
Contributions in agricultural science provide us with a rich
past, a comfortable present and a bright future. Scientists continue to design
research programs that enhance basic knowledge for the economic production of
food and fiber in environmentally sound systems.
What
if you went to the grocery store and found no bread on the shelves? Suppose you
ordered a pizza and were told they ran out of wheat flour. You would probably
think that a shipment of flour will be coming in soon. However, you learn from
a news alert that the entire wheat crop did not yield because of drastic soil
erosion or was devastated by a very tiny insect or is no longer safe because of
bioterrorism. You begin to think that there must be something that we can do in
this age of advanced technology. Would we all finally begin to wonder where
bread really comes from? Some youth will be surprised that the answer is not
"from the grocery store." Would we somehow gain a greater appreciation
for those who labor so hard to put bread on the table?
George
Washington Carver's background
Born a
slave of Moses and Susan Carver in 1861, during the Civil War, George
Washington Carver grew up on a plantation in Missouri. According to the
National Park Service, his burning desire for education was fed by a strong
natural curiosity. Carver enjoyed reading, studying, and drawing plants and
animals. He studied and worked at Iowa Agricultural College, now Iowa State
University, and later became a professor and head of agriculture at Tuskegee
Institute in Tuskegee, Ala., where he worked for 47 years. Carver willed his
life's earnings to Tuskegee. He died Jan. 5, 1943. His legacy continues in the
Carver Museum and the Carver Research Foundation at Tuskegee University.
Carver
was a great scientist and a renowned agricultural chemist. His research in
botany, bacteriology and chemistry, along with his inventions at Iowa State
University and Tuskegee Institute, had a positive, far-reaching impact on the
scientific community, farmers, community members and policy makers. He
demonstrated that crop rotation could be both economical and sustainable.
Much
arable land could be conserved by rotating from planting cotton, which depletes
soil of its nutrients, to planting peanuts and other legumes such as soybeans.
Legumes have root systems that contain "good bacteria" called
Rhizobium that provide the plants with usable nitrogen. Rhizobium and similar
bacteria provide about 200 million metric tons of nitrogen each year (Starr and
Taggart, Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life)! This natural nutrient
reduces the need for commercial fertilizer.
Current
research by Iowa State agronomy professor Dr. Ricardo Salvador indicates that a
farmer can reduce dependence on nitrogen fertilizer while producing a
nitrogen-intensive crop such as maize.
Today,
crop rotation is widely used, according to Dr. Jim Frederick, a crop
physiologist at Clemson University Pee Dee Research and Education Center.
Researchers are developing cropping systems that will improve soil quality,
crop productivity, and environmental conservation. For example, we are
investigating the combined effects of rotation, conservation tillage, and
double cropping on management of pests (insects, diseases, and weeds) in soybean
and cotton production.
Carver
devoted his life to research connected primarily to Southern agriculture, but
his work continues to have an impact in the South and around the world. History
shows that he was the person most responsible for the economic survival of the
farm economy in the southern United States. That economy was in deep trouble.
As farmers were scratching their heads to figure out why the boll weevil picked
their farms to destroy the cotton, Carver developed alternatives to
conventional farming. He also developed Carver's Hybrid cotton, a more
resilient strain of the plant. These alternatives were not only economically
sound, but also environmentally friendly.
Peanuts
and sweet potatoes
Carver
also ensured social acceptability for his research by using his knowledge of
chemistry to develop many uses of the peanut and the sweet potato. Recently, I
reviewed two of his experiment station publications. The first, published in
June 1925, is titled "How to Grow the Peanut and 105 ways of Preparing it for
Human Consumption." Among the 14 major points he made to justify
production and consumption of the peanut were "Like all other members of
the pod-bearing family, they enrich the soil" and "The peanut exerts
a dietetic or a medicinal effect upon the human system that is very
desirable."
Today,
the United States is first in edible peanut production and third in total world
peanut production behind India and China, according to the S.C. Peanut Board.
Major pest problems of peanuts include diseases such as tomato spotted wilt
virus, white mold and leaf spot, as well as weeds and insect pests such as the
lesser cornstalk borer, according to Dr. Jay Chapin, professor of entomology at
Clemson University Edisto Research and Education Center.
Peanuts
are quite nutritious. They are 26 percent protein, 48 percent fatty acids, 20
percent carbohydrates, 2.5 percent fiber, and 3.5 percent water, vitamins, and
minerals. They have no cholesterol because they're from plants, and they are
high in B-Vitamins and contain Vitamin E. A peanut butter sandwich contains all
eight of the essential amino acids.
Of
Carver's original recipes, this is one of my favorites for a quick and
nutritious salad or snack. Peanut Salad with Bananas: Slice bananas through
center; spread out on lettuce leaves, and sprinkle liberally with chopped
peanuts; serve with mayonnaise or plain salad dressing. Today, I would suggest
serving with yogurt.
The
second experiment station bulletin, published in 1936, is titled, "How the
Farmer can Save his Sweet Potatoes - and Ways of Preparing Them for the
Table." Carver reported that after 15 years of no commercial fertilizer on
three acres of land where mulch compost and proper rotation were applied,
yields were 215 bushels of sweet potatoes per acre. Dr. Carver addressed the
major pest problem (fungus diseases) by rotating and avoiding planting slips
from a diseased sweet potato bed, and avoiding the use of seed sweet potatoes
from fields with diseased tubers. Major pest problems today include weeds,
insects such as wireworms, and diseases such as fusarium, according to Dr.
Janice Bohac, a sweet potato breeder at USDA-ARS, U.S. Vegetable Laboratory in
Charleston.
Today,
the leading state in sweet potato production is North Carolina (29 percent of
all sweet potatoes produced in the nation), followed by Louisiana, Mississippi
and California (National Sweet Potato Newsletter, Winter 2003). Less than 1
percent of commercial sweet potato production is in South Carolina.
There
are many ways to prepare the sweet potato. Carver indicated slow baking or
cooking under fire coals enhances the rich flavor. Other recipes he offered are
becoming more and more popular, including fried sweet potatoes and sweet potato
chips. Food and Society Policy Fellow Keecha Harris, MPH, RD, states, "As
with any fried food, try to balance these variations on sweet potatoes with
low-fat options such as baked or grilled meat and steamed green leafy
vegetables. Sweet potatoes are a naturally sweet root rich in beta-carotene,
Vitamins C and B6, folate, potassium, and fiber. We should try to incorporate
them more into our diets." Taking nutritional value and enhancement of
Southern agriculture under consideration, I hope we will see more restaurants
with sweet potatoes on the menu. Two websites for delicious sweet potato
recipes are 1) www.prevention.com/links and 2)
www.ncsweetpotatoes.com/recipe.htm.
From
my review of Carver's work, it is apparent that his scientific ability,
reinforced by his love of nature and God, his basic curiosity and his desire to
help his fellow man were keys to his outstanding success. It is also our
responsibility to be good stewards of this God-given earth. With all of the
recent concerns about the environment (global warming, pollution, food
security, bioterrorism), I trust that young people will consider preparing
themselves to address these issues that will affect their generation and many
future generations.
Careers
in agriculture
As a
research scientist in agriculture, I am investigating the use of minimal
amounts of pesticides along with alternative, environmentally friendly methods
of insect control to enhance crop production. I teach this concept of
Integrated Pest Management to farmers and to schoolchildren.
For
almost 30 years, the low number of African-American agricultural research
scientists has amazed me. Agriculture played a basic role in our history as
African-Americans. It is well known that many of the sophisticated techniques
in rice production were taught to Southern landowners by enslaved
African-Americans, according to Dr. R. Dufault, professor of horticulture at
Clemson University Coastal Research and Education Center.
Is it
the term agriculture that causes students to turn their heads? Is it the
emotional constraints that remind us too much of our past in slavery? Is it
because successful 4-H Programs today depend upon volunteer leaders, and that
requires commitments from adults who still believe that "it takes a
village to raise a child "?
Or is
it simply that the word science to some may indicate boredom, or even be
perceived as difficult or challenging? As students excel in basic biology,
chemistry, engineering, and computer science, they may want to continue their
education and focus on some of the areas in agriculture that directly impact
our food supply, our health and our environment. Parents and teachers can help
by teaching students about the many disciplines in agriculture such as
horticulture, agronomy, agricultural economics, entomology, agricultural
engineering, plant pathology, aquaculture, food science and nutrition.
Across
the nation, African-American researchers represent very small percentages in
these disciplines. According to a recent survey by the Entomological Society of
America, 1 percent of the respondents identified themselves as African-Americans,
and other minorities comprised 5.6 percent. Students can choose careers where
they will work in the laboratory or in the field. They can research numerous
topics from the basic to the applied. They can use their skills in business,
computer technology, engineering, or pursue interests in biotechnology. The
doors are open for a curious, well-prepared student to enter and enjoy making
contributions to society through agriculture.
There
are serious concerns with the lack of visibility of African-American
professionals in agricultural science. Visualization can impact career choices,
particularly in the sciences.
Dr.
Karen Felton, DPM, recalls wanting to become a doctor to help sick people get
well because of seeing a popular medical program on television as a child. She
was further encouraged by her neighbor, an obstetrician/gynecologist. Her
decision was influenced by the media/visualization and personal interactions.
She believes that interactive research programs with modern technology targeting
students K-12 is key to increased interest in research careers such as
agriculture.
In
addition, internships targeting college students play a very important role in
exposing students to agricultural research, according to Dr. Alvin Simmons,
research entomologist, USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Charleston. Clemson
University and USDA, ARS in collaboration with South Carolina State, Claflin
and other colleges provide opportunities in agriculture research for interested
students.
Where
from here?
There
are numerous opportunities for each of us to be involved in ensuring that
future generations will enjoy the natural resources and the quality of food and
fiber available to us. It is very important to teach children (in the classroom
and in informal settings) the value of science literacy and the role that it
plays in developing health-promoting lifestyles.
Community
organizations can help tremendously by serving as mentors and developing
interactive programs that directly address present societal needs. An example
is the recently adopted national service program of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority,
Z-HOPE (Zetas Helping Other People Excel) through Mind, Body, and Spirit.
Under
the leadership of International President Barbara C. Moore, the
intergenerational, holistic (mind, body, and spirit), multidimensional outreach
program has the potential to impact 500 communities across the nation. The goal
is to empower people to become active partners in improving the quality of
their life, according to Dr. Constance S. Hendricks, chair of graduate nursing,
Southern University in Baton Rouge, La. This is just one example of a community
outreach program in keeping with Carver's philosophy of empowering people to
help themselves. There are many ways adults can be involved in enhancing
science education among our youth.
Recognition
of Carver's work
According
to Malba J. Duncan, "One remarkable man straddled the worlds of business
and science in a way that few Americans have and deserves notice of
achievements in both areas" (African American History). A holder of three
patents, Carver never patented most his discoveries, saying "God gave them
to me, how can I sell them to someone else?" Each of us can show our
appreciation for the great contributions that Dr. Carver made to agriculture in
the South, which eventually affected the entire nation and the world. We need
to continue to recognize his work through teaching. His awards were impressive
and included being named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts of London, the
Spingarn Medal for Distinguished Service in Agricultural Chemistry by the
NAACP, the Theodore Roosevelt Medal for Valuable Contributions to Science, and
the George Washington Carver National Monument in Diamond Grove, Mo. This is
the first National Monument to honor an African American, a teacher, or even a
scientist.
Numerous
schools are named for him. A USDA Office Building complex in Beltsville, Md.,
is also named after Carver. Recently, the U.S. Congress awarded the Carver
Scholars Program recognition as Best Public or Private Program to encourage
minority students in science and engineering. January 5 has been added to the
Congressional calendar to honor Dr. Carver.
The
American Chemical Society reported that, "Future cooperative projects
include having each of the 50 states declare a Carver Recognition Day each
January 5 (at least 10 have already done so), having many Carver recognition
events each Jan. 5 around the nation, expanding the Carver Scholars and Carver
Science Fair Programs, and encouraging the U.S. Treasury to recognize the
important contributions of African-American chemist Dr. George Washington
Carver by issuing a new U.S. coin or U.S. currency for general circulation
honoring Dr. Carver."
In a
recent public address, the Rev. Larry D. McCutcheon (Charleston District
superintendent of the United Methodist Church and chairperson of the
Legislative Black Caucus Faith Roundtable) suggested that Carver should be
awarded a Nobel Prize or another major award posthumously.
Dr.
George Washington Carver provides an excellent example of the great
contributions that can be made to society through agriculture. His love for
science, along with his intelligence, dedication, and desire to help others
obtain a higher quality of life are all traits that I admire. Youth of all
races and ethnic groups should be able to make intelligent decisions about
potential contributions that they can make in agriculture. We will continue to
need food and fiber, and we must also continue to ensure the use of
environmental conservation practices "in an economic climate in which
farmers can earn a fair income," according to President John F. Kennedy.
We do
not want our children and our children's children to experience "the last
loaf of bread."
· Gloria Sanders McCutcheon is professor of entomology at Clemson University located at Coastal Research and Education Center. She is also a Food and Society Policy Fellow, with support from The W.K. Kellogg Foundation and administered by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (Minneapolis, Minn.) and the Thomas Jefferson Institute (Columbia, Mo.)