10/08/2026
A look into the Iowa Gallery at the Hall Of Laureates:
Khrushchev's Garst Farm Visit & "Agriculture Ambassador" John Chrystal
Nikita Khrushchev's Visit to Garst Farm
Tom Agran (Cedar Rapids), 2011
Thomas Agran created a painting of the historic visit by Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev to the Roswell Garst farm in C**n Rapids on September 23, 1959.
The event, which attracted significant international press coverage, is credited with creating opportunities for increased understanding at the height of the Cold War. American agricultural production, demonstrated on the Garst farm, led to an ongoing series of visits and exchanges over the next several decades, which helped ease tension as well as develop opportunities for commercial sales of Iowa and U.S. agricultural products.
Of particular significance is the fact that Garst's nephew, John Chrystal, became the "citizen ambassador of agriculture" who led this important dialogue, visiting the Soviet Union many times, including one trip with President Bill Clinton.
Michael Gartner, former Pulitzer Prize winner and member of the World Food Prize Council of Advisors, considers Chrystal one of the towering figures of this period, who contributed greatly to the prevention of war by promoting increased understanding through agricultural exchange and trade.
Visit on Tuesday for a tour to learn more about the artwork in the Hall!
