THE HISTORY OF FARMHOUSE FRATERNITY
1955-1964 A Whole New World
During this decade the 50th anniversary was celebrated, six chapters chartered, and the first full-time executive was hired.
50th Anniversary
Two separate events were held—one on the 50th anniversary of the founding of FarmHouse, the second being the Golden Anniversary Conclave, which took place in Columbia, Missouri in September 1956.
The first event occurred April 15-17, 1955. More than 60 alumni from the Missouri Chapter and a few from other chapters attended. Much time was spent discussing the future of FarmHouse.
The larger event was the 1956 Conclave. More than 200 people attended the activities. One of the new additions to Conclave included the first “National Chapter Achievement Award,” the forerunner of the Ruby Cup, given to the outstanding chapter
during the past two years.
Another highlight of the 50th anniversary was the publishing of a 116-page commemorative issue of Pearls & Rubies . The magazine included reflections from founders, challenges from Fraternity leaders, a look into the future, and stories about FH men and the impact they made in more than 20 different professions. Unfortunately, it appears the 116-page issue might have broken the bank. The next issue of Pearls & Rubies was published two years later.
Foundation's Launch
In 1955, the Golden Anniversary Fund became the Golden Opportunity Fund.
Delegates at the 1962 Conclave approved a trust agreement establishing
the FH Foundation.
First Full-Time Executive
Another important decision that was made at the 1962 Conclave was to establish the national secretary-treasurer-editor role as a full-time salaried position. Previous men who occupied the role were paid for their part-time work.
Darl Snyder (IA '42) was appointed to serve the Fraternity as its first full-time executive in 1963. Snyder had served the Fraternity in the role on a part-time basis since 1959, following the death of H. K. Wilson (IA '27),
who had served as national secretary-treasurer for more than 20 years.
Football Hall of Fame
Two brothers were recognized during this period for their contributions on the playing field. Ed Widseth (MN '35) and Don Faurot (MO '21) were elected into the College Football Hall of Fame. Widseth was an All-American tackle from 1934-36 at Minnesota, and Faurot played at Missouri in the early 1920s before a 30-year coaching career (the Missouri football field was later named Faurot Field in his honor).
FarmHouse and the World
New worlds and opportunities were opening up at this time. Many brothers traveled overseas to help the people of the former Soviet Union, Japan, China, Bolivia, East Africa, India, and many other countries with their agricultural practices.
Back at home, our chapters were realizing how much they could gain by recruiting men from different nationalities. The Washington State Chapter welcomed in three brothers from other nations in 1964—two from Pakistan and another from Iran.
While this decade offered much promise for FH and its members, these were also difficult times with difficult issues to address. The Fraternity mourned the loss of a Nebraska
undergrad who was killed in Jerusalem while on a goodwill tour—mistakenly wandering into “no-man's land” between the Arab and Israeli lines that divide the holy city.
This decade was a hotbed of political and societal tragedy and change - with conflict escalating in Southeast Asia, the Cuban Missile crisis, the assassination of President Kennedy, discrimination and the civil rights movement at the forefront.
On campus, the buzz was all about throwing a great hootenanny (for our younger readers, it's a gathering at which folksingers entertain with the audience joining in).
Quite a decade, indeed.
