Front Range Seed Analysts
1994 Seed Forum Volume 8 Number 1
Paul Hall
A Seed Analyst in Wyoming
by Rita Parker
Life Started for Paul Hall on July 25, 1918, in Rensalaer, Indiana.
He grew up on the family farm. After graduating from high school
in 1936, he joined in partnership with his father and brother in the cattle
feeding business.
Paul enlisted in the Army Air Corps in March, 1943, and served three
years during World War II. After his honorable discharge in March,
1946, he became a rancher in the Big Laramie valley, until entering the
University of Wyoming in March, 1948.
During his undergraduate studies, he often worked in the Wyoming
State Seed Laboratory to help support his wife and two boys. He graduated
with a B.S. degree in Agriculture in 1952 and completed the Mater of Science
degree in Agriculture in 1957, with his thesis research work in Plant Pathology.
On January 1, 1952, Paul became head of the Wyoming State Seed
Laboratory, taking over from Clyde Edwards. Paul retired with 29
years of service as State Seed Technologist on March 1, 1981.
Paul was very active in his profession including participation
in the Association of Seed Control Officials and Association of Official
Seed Analysts. He served on many national research committees and
was president of AOSA during 1964-1965. The theme of his presidential
address was "Telling our Story". He addressed many issues that are
relevant today. He emphasized showing others what analysts do by
using new visual aids. Researchers, seed producers, farmers, city
dwellers, and even children should be made aware of the important role
of seed analysts in agriculture. The following is an excerpt from
his presidential address:
Have you attended meetings of other scientific organizations and become a little irritated when a seed analyst presenting the paper was referred to as "just a seed analyst"? I have and it started me thinking about it. What can we do to improve the image that other scientific organizations have of us? We need to tell our story better or "sell ourselves and our profession," if you please, to others working in related fields. It is something we need to continuously strive to accomplish. Until this is accomplished, the salary level will probably remain lower than it should be when we consider the education and training necessary to become proficient in the field of seed analysis.
His research on native grass seed purity, promotion of Certified
grass seed production in Wyoming, and his research in other areas of seed
testing placed him in high regard among his national peers. In particular,
his meticulous blowing point research for rangegrasses like side-oats grama
and blue grama produced procedures that saved countless hours for purity
analysts. He was selected as "Outstanding Seedsman" in Wyoming during
1973. His concerns for his co-workers, and his work in civic organizations
were high amongst his priorities.
Paul Hall resides at 43 Corthell Road in Laramie, Wyoming, 82070,
and would enjoy hearing from anyone who remembers him.
Editor's Note: Wyoming State Seed Laboratory Director Rita Parker has
retired as of January 20, 1994. A profile of her career will be in
the next issue of the Seed Forum. She will be missed by many!