Richard K. Seim papers

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: RS 21/7/193

Staff Only

Scope and Content

The collection (1951-1992, undated) contains Farm Journal articles, mostly written by Richard Seim, and corresponding notes, newspaper clippings, photographs, interviews, and research. The collection also contains correspondence, memos, and reports relating to the administrative operations of Farm Journal.

This collection spans the entire career of Seim as Midwest Regional Editor for Farm Journal magazine. The material covers a wide range of agricultural topics including changes of scale in farm size and machinery, new ideas in animal nutrition and health, and an ever-changing political and farm policy environment. Seim was also interested in the Midwestern farm family and many farmers were interviewed and photographed by Seim for use in his stories. Most of Seim’s original articles and notes are included in the collection and provide valuable insights into the agricultural issues of the time.

The collection also documents much of Seim’s administrative efforts as editor for Farm Journal. Correspondence with staff reveals the working relationship among staff members during his time as editor. The collection also includes Seim’s weekly reports which include notes on crop conditions, story possibilities, political developments, and personal observations. In addition to these weekly reports are reports presented at the national semi-annual meetings for the editors of Farm Journal magazine. These reports document developments in agriculture as they took place from all regions of the country.

Dates

Creation: 1951-1992, undated

Access Restrictions

Open for research.

Use/Re-use Restrictions

To obtain copies of images in this collection, written permission must first be received from the editor of Farm Journal. Consult Special Collections and University Archives

Biography/Profile

Richard K. Seim was born September 5, 1928 in Marshalltown, Iowa. Seim graduated from nearby Albion Public School (1946) and then attended Marshalltown Junior College (Marshalltown Community College). In 1950, Seim was drafted into the Armed Forces and served for two years including one tour in Korea. After he was discharged from the Army Seim attended Iowa State College (University) where he received his B.S. (1956) in agricultural journalism.

Throughout his school years, Seim showed interest in news reporting and writing. At Iowa State he was a reporter for the student newspaper and a writer for the student agriculture magazine, the Iowa Agriculturist. He also worked part-time for WOI radio and television helping with the farm market news reports and radio farm programs. He eventually took a part-time job writing for the Extension Information Service which became full-time work after his graduation.

In 1958, Seim accepted an editorial position with Wallace’s Farmer magazine in Des Moines. The following year he was hired by Farm Journal magazine, the company from which he would retire. He was named Midwest Regional Editor (1959-1991) of the magazine and wrote news and feature stories and also did most of his own photography. As a regional editor he covered all aspects of agriculture in the Midwestern United States including production agriculture, university and commercial research, politics, and farm organizations. He retired on December 31, 1991, but continued to write for Farm Journal as a contributing editor.

Richard Seim and his wife, Alene, were married in 1950. They have two children, Becky and Arne, and reside in Ames, Iowa.

Extent

35.5 Linear Feet (in 32 records center cartons)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Editor and agricultural journalist. Richard K. Seim graduated from Iowa State College (University) in 1956 with a degree in agricultural journalism. Following graduation, Seim took a job with the Extension Information Service at Iowa State. In 1958, he accepted an editorial position with Wallace's Farmer magazine in Des Moines. The following year he was hired by Farm Journal magazine as the Midwest Regional Editor, a position he held until his retirement in 1991. This collection spans Seim's entire career as Midwest Regional Editor for Farm Journal magazine. As such, the materials cover a wide range of agricultural topics including changes of scale in farm size and machinery, new ideas in animal nutrition and health, and an ever-changing political and farm policy environment. Materials include many of Seim's Farm Journal articles, corresponding notes, newspaper clippings, photographs, interviews, and research. Administrative aspects of Seim's career are documented through office correspondence, memos, and reports.

Arrangement

This collection is divided into three series:

Series 1, Farm Journal stories and articles, 1952-1988, undated

Series 2, Professional and Administrative Records, 1951-1992, undated

Series 3, Photographs and Slides, 1965-1991, undated