FIELD INSPECTION SERVICES

Field Inspection Services are one of the most important services offered by ICIA. If you are going to produce quality seed, someone has to “put on their boots” and go to the field and look at the growing crop to determine if there are any varietal purity or weed problems. In other words, field inspections are a critical step in assessing whether a field will be “just grain” or quality seed. ICIA always prided itself in having great inspectors and tried to recruit enough each year so that field inspection could be done in a timely manner throughout the state. Being a field inspector was a good part-time occupation for a retiree, student, or school teacher with after school or summer availability.

James Shearl with Dr. Don Graffis, observing certified alfalfa

ICIA inspectors served four important roles; doing the required field inspections and the associated paperwork, gathering bulk samples of uncleaned seed, collecting the official clean sample and acting as the Association’s representative in the field. In those services, uniform and unbiased procedures must be followed to assure the integrity of the certified seed program. The fourth inspector role, representative in the field, put a local face on ICIA to assist the customer in proper procedures and questions. The methods for doing field inspection and seed sampling (sequential counting and specific sampling steps based on the size of the seed lot) have been developed over time by representatives of seed certification organizations in concert with state and federal governments. These procedures help seedsmen collect data and information to determine if seed is worthy of being offered for sale.

In field inspection, the inspector must enter the field at the proper time in the life cycle of the plant and sequentially walk the field, taking notes for varietal purity, presence of any weeds, and general information as to health of the crop. The task involves a lot of walking in standing crop during all elements from heat to wetness. Inspectors earn their pay on inspection days.

Paul Palmgren, inspecting soybeans

During seed sampling, official procedures must again be followed to ensure all parties that an official sample had been obtained. Bin sampling work was especially important during 1973-97 because a lot of Illinois certified seed was sold in bulk as a wholesale transaction. Getting a representative sample of seed from a bin was sometimes difficult depending on the access to the storage facility, seed quantity available and the required sample size. Bulk sampling was usually accomplished in the fall or winter ahead of conditioning and before sale to the end user. Being in the fall, the work was usually cold and did involve climbing and a certain amount of risk. Field inspectors are to be commended for their dedicated service to ICIA.

Inspectors did also have some lighter moments. For example, Paul Palmgren, who joined ICIA in May of 1974, and headed up field inspection for most of this 25 year time period, along with Richard Denhart, his predecessor, can present the humorous side of field inspection and official seed sampling that will invoke tears from laughter. Richard always liked to tell stories about bin sampling seed. He would tell of preparing to pull a sample out of the old Hoffman Farm wooden corn crib out in a remote area west of Monticello, Illinois. This crib was part of the U of I Allerton Farms and one of the largest in Illinois before it was tragically lost in a fire. The crib was converted to grain storage bins and the only access was from way up in the top where the overhead bins were located. According to Rich, he climbed the rickety ladder, and with his best agility, maneuvered his way down the center board which was covered with raccoon droppings to the center of the crib. With the 6 foot brass grain probe in one hand and sample bags in the other, he almost jumped down into the dark bin thinking it was full of soybeans. For some reason, he threw the probe in first. There was a period of silence and then the metallic clank of the probe hitting 25 foot below on bare wood. No seed to break his fall.

Joan Opolka, working on oat sample

One of Richard’s favorite stories was admitting he always wanted to be 6’6,” but really realized it one afternoon when he jumped off into a bin of soybeans, filled his sample bags, and then realized he was just a bit too short to reach the top of the bin. He was alone and contemplated his plight for quite some while. He was sure he would be found in the spring when they sold the crop. He finally got out by piling soybeans up on the side of the bin and running up to grab the top of the bin and pull himself out. Being Chief Inspector at ICIA never has had a height requirement; it was just a good idea to be agile and a good jumper.

Then Paul would get going on some of his “Paulisms”. For some reason, when doing inspector training schools, he would always clear his throat, like only he can do, and then remind new recruits when they enter a new farmstead to always “watch out for the 300 pound dog before getting out of the car.”

The Four Legged Inspector: At one farmstead, a goat was quick to get into Paul’s car and settle into the right front seat. No amount of effort could get it out until Paul opened all the doors and the tailgate and walked a distance away. After about a half hour, the goat decided to find something else to do. Other admonishments would prohibit the use of rickety ladders and declare that the raccoons always had the right of way when coming head to head on the crib ladder. Situational awareness at the bin site was always very important.

Laughter is good for the soul. Being able to laugh with co-workers is especially important to the health and effectiveness of an organization and such a relationship existed at ICIA. All kidding aside, both Paul and Richard did a great job of giving training and leadership to the ICIA inspection team.