KHRUSHCHEV IN IOWA
America celebrates 50th anniversary of Nikita Khrushchev's milestone visit to the USA
Case New Holland, Racine, Wisconsin, Tue, September 1, 2009
IOWA, USA - September 2009 marks the 50th anniversary of Nikita Khrushchev's 1959 visit to Iowa. After the Soviet Premier embarked on boosting USSR food production via his massive "Corn Campaign," Iowa farmer Roswell Garst reached out to Khrushchev to share American advances in mechanized grain production and animal feeding.
Their improbable friendship showcased the power of agricultural innovation, trade, and citizen diplomacy reaching across ideological differences and helping thaw Cold War tensions.
Fifty years ago, during the icy depths of the Cold War, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev came to Iowa to learn about growing corn, and to visit his farmer friend Roswell Garst. The Coon Rapids visit was one of the most publicized stops on Khrushchev's historic 1959 tour of the United States and marked a real milestone in the US-Soviet relations.
Today a Russian delegation of over 40 high-level political and agribusiness leaders has taken the same route to Iowa, to celebrate this event, to gain an understanding of the most current US agricultural practices and to meet Iowa farmers and potential trade partners.
Participants will include Khrushchev's son Sergei Khrushchev, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, Vladimir Plotnikov, Federation Council member from Volgograd region, and many other high level political and agribusiness leaders from both countries.
More than 30 Iowa organizations planned a state-wide "Khrushchev in Iowa" commemoration that was celebrated during the last few days of the summer.
The four-day celebration program included a "Khrushchev in Iowa" conference, a ceremony at the historic Garst Farm, tours of local factories and numerous cultural events. Also included was a product information session for the Russian delegation at New Holland & Case IH's Ag Information Center, Nevada, Iowa, on August 27, where an impressive array of industry-leading agriculture machinery was showcased.
"I am delighted to take part in the celebrations of this milestone visit," said Sergei N. Khrushchev, son of Nikita Khrushchev, Senior Fellow at the Watson Institute for International Studies. "The visit helped both countries to recognize eternal truths that are common for all the nations: labor, friendship and mutual understanding.
"These were five tumultuous decades and it is thanks to people like Roswell Garst that the improvement of relations between the US and USSR began. However, the visit has clearly shown that both nations laid foundation for peace and prosperity for our great countries."
Mary Garst, daughter-in-law of Roswell Garst, board member of International Harvester (IH) for 22 years, said: "The world has changed dramatically since 1959 but still there is the need for positive relations between the US and Russia to assure ever better food production and wellbeing for our countries.
"Dring his visit, Soviet Prime Minister Nikita Khrushchev was greatly impressed by the level of agricultural techniques in America, and now 50 years after the visit we are happy that, in some ways, we are repeating the same experience of 50 years ago with the presence of a Russian delegation and the support of CNH, the main sponsor of the whole event."
She added: "We are happy to have CNH as main sponsor of the event, given the long association that has tied our family to Case IH products. Roswell Garst always used International Harvester on his whole farming operations; he liked red equipment best."
On August 29, a public parade including agricultural machinery took to the streets of Coon Rapids and was watched by over 5,000 visitors. CNH's illustrious heritage was represented by a vast selection of agricultural machinery of its New Holland and Case IH brands.
"We approached this historic event with a renewed spirit of collaboration toward both our current customers and potential new clients and partners. Our operations in Russia date back to 1907, the year in which the first Case tractor was shipped to the country. Since then, our brands have continued to strengthen their presence, by the opening of our Moscow-based office in 1998 as well as development of a widespread distribution network.
"At the beginning of 2009 we opened a new spare parts depot centre near Moscow. We continue to evaluate opportunities for further growth in Russia, including industrial partnerships," said Diego H. de la Calle - Network Development & Communications Director of CNH International, "We hope to continue in this direction which will be of mutual benefit for our Case IH and New Holland brands, as well as for our partners and customers in Russia and in other countries."
During the four days, CNH presented the latest technologic offerings in terms of products and farming techniques that are used in North America and Europe, and that the company is currently implementing throughout the CIS countries.
Note to editors: Case New Holland (CNH), the global manufacturer and seller of agricultural and construction equipment part of the Fiat Group (FIA.MI), has participated as the main sponsor at the "Khrushchev in Iowa" 50-year celebration event that took place in Coon Rapids, Iowa, USA from August 27 to 30, 2009.
CNH is a world leader in the agricultural and construction equipment businesses. Supported by about 11,300 dealers in 170 countries, CNH brings together the knowledge and heritage of its Case and New Holland brand families with the strength and resources of its worldwide commercial, industrial, product support and finance organizations. CNH Global N.V., whose stock is listed at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:CNH), is a majority-owned subsidiary of Fiat S.p.A. (FIA.MI), More information about CNH and its Case and New Holland products can be found online at www.cnh.com.
LINK: http://www.cnh.com/