Chester F. Randolph papers

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: RS 21/7/146

Staff Only

Scope and Content

This collection (1856-2002, undated) contains materials from ASA (American Soybean Association), as well as speeches, reports, news releases and correspondence concerning Chester “Chet” Randolph, directly. It also includes land deeds and plots and correspondence with his immediate and extended family members. There are also larger, detailed land plots and certificates in the map case.

Dates

Creation: 1856-2002, undated

Language of Materials

English

Access Restrictions

Open for research.

Use/Re-use Restrictions

Consult Special Collections and University Archives

Biography/Profile

Chester “Chet” F. Randolph was born in 1926 to Joseph and Hazel Randolph in Ankeny, Iowa. He received his B.S. (1949) in Animal Husbandry from Iowa State College (University) where he also participated in broadcasting and film narration.

Randolph’s career as a farm broadcaster included working at a radio station in Mason City, Iowa, as an assistant farm director for WLS in Chicago, and as a farm director for WNAX in Yankton, South Dakota. He also worked for Farm Journal magazine in Philadelphia. Randolph started at WHO Radio in Des Moines, Iowa, in the 1950s, where he worked for ten years. Randolph then joined the American Soybean Association as the Executive Vice President and Director of Overseas Market Development. He was also the first Executive Director of Living History Farms in Urbandale, Iowa. Randolph is most remembered as the host (1974-1991) of the Iowa Public Television show Farm Digest, later named Market to Market.

Randolph died on January 2, 2002.

Extent

3.36 Linear Feet (8 document boxes)

Additional Description

Abstract

Chet Randolph was a farm broadcaster, the first Executive Director of Living History Farms in Urbandale, Iowa, and served as the Executive Vice President and Director of Overseas Market Development for the American Soybean Association. This collection contains materials related to Randolph’s personal life and professional career, including correspondence, family genealogical information, records related to his work for the American Soybean Association, files on farm marketing roundtables he organized, and materials related to other professional affiliations such as Living History Farms and Iowa Public Television.

Arrangement

This collection is organized into five series:

Series 1: Personal materials, 1925-2002, undated (chronological)

Series 2: Randolph family history, 1856-1973, undated (chronological)

Series 3: American Soybean Association, 1960- 1990 (chronological)

Series 4: Farm Marketing Roundtables, 1974-1987, undated (chronological)

Series 5: Other Professional Activity, 1952-2002, undated (alphabetical)