Identity elements
Reference code
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Title
Date(s)
- 1898-2019 (Creation)
Extent
33.46 linear feet (30 records boxes, 1 document case, 2 oversize boxes-flat)
Name of creator
Administrative history
Instruction and research in dairying were activities at South Dakota State University long before a Department of Dairying was established. By 1897, when the department was formed, coursework was well established. In 1892, a dairy building was built, and much of the coursework was completed in the special labs and rooms. In addition to regular college courses, the department also offered a short course in creamery. These courses met for anywhere from two to twelve weeks, and were highly successful and very well attended for the 52 years of their existence.
Although minor name changes occurred through the years, the general philosophy of the department has remained essentially the same. Courses are taught which prepare students for careers in dairy manufacturing or dairy production. In addition to the BS degree, an MS in Dairy Science has been offered since 1903, and a Ph. D. in agriculture is also offered through the department in the areas of dairy science or dairy cattle nutrition and management. Much of the research is conducted through the Agricultural Experiment Station, as it had been since its inception. Dairying has also been a large component in the Cooperative Extension Service through the years.
The Department of Dairy Science has been very visible both on campus and throughout Brookings through the dairy processing plant and sales room. Students gain practical experience in processing and offer milk, cheese, butter and ice cream for sale through the sales room. These products are also used in campus eating facilities.
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
The Dairy Science Department Records are cmposed of departmental records, publications and Dairy Husbandry records which consist of correspondence, reports, registry materials, receipts, bills, inventories, statements, photographs and miscellaneous items.
The administrative records are composed of clippings, correspondence, policy manuals, photographs/negatives, bulletins, leaflets, newsletters, programs, reports and miscellaneous items. Included is material on cooperative education, creamery short courses, Diary Industry Week, Dairy Princess judging, and a history of the Dairy Science Department, which was revised in 1994-95. An item of note is a scrapbook from the early 1900, which contains clippings of dairy related material. Some unusual items included are two small milk cartons used by the Dairy Science Department.
The photographs were collected by the Dairy Science Department over the years. These photographs cover a wide range of topics, from barns and local creameries, to ice cream and yogurt. Some photographs are of experiments conducted by the Dairy Science Department, including bloat procedures, diseases bovine udders and a vitamin D deficiency/sun deprivation experiment. Some items of note include glass plates for experiment station bulletin publications. Ask the Special Collections staff for assistance in viewing these photographs. Folders and arranged in alphabetical order.
The Dairy Husbandry records are composed of correspondence and general office files which include reports, registry materials, receipts, bills, inventories, statements, photographs and miscellaneous items. The bulk of this collection is correspondence from companies and area dairy farmers to and from the head of the Dairy Husbandry department during the years covered. Other items in this collection show the day to day operation of the department. An item of note is correspondence from Ben Reifel while he was a student at SDSC looking for employment.
Items such as receipts, daily creamery reports, test supervisor's reports for advanced registry and feed record report cards were sampled and a small collection kept indicating how the reports were filled out and what they were used for. The photographs were separated and are housed in the photograph collection. Folders are arranged in alphabetical order and there under chronologically.
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use elements
Conditions governing access
This collection is open to researchers without restrictions. The materials in the Archives do not circulate and may be used in-house only.
Researchers conducting extensive research are asked to make an advance appointment to access archival material. Please call or e-mail prior to visiting the collection and indicate as much detail as possible about a particular topic and intended use.
Physical access
Technical access
Conditions governing reproduction
South Dakota State University supports access to the materials, published and unpublished, in its collections. Nonetheless, access to some items may be restricted as a result of their fragile condition or by contractual agreements with donors.
Languages of the material
- English
Scripts of the material
Language and script notes
Finding aids
Acquisition and appraisal elements
Custodial history
Immediate source of acquisition
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information
Accruals
Related materials elements
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related archival materials
Related descriptions
Notes element
General note
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