James G. Milward, University of Wisconsin potato extension specialist, was a leader in the developments which transformed potato production in Wisconsin from a small, local crop into an efficient, productive, and competitive industry.
Milward was born in Madison, Wisconsin, on April 4, 1881. Although he grew up in the city, he worked on outlying farms even before graduating from high school in 1900. He then went to work for the University of Wisconsin College of Agriculture, where he was to be employed for his entire career. Milward graduated from the short course in 1902 and received a B.S.A. in 1907 and an M.S. in 1909. In 1906 he received a permanent faculty appointment, also serving as potato extension specialist until his retirement in 1951.
Milward's early work in orchard and potato spraying led to his activities in the development of the potato extension program, one of the earliest such programs in the country. This program included experimental field trials; branch stations; county agents, tours, and exhibits for outreach and education; and production, certification, and distribution of seed potatoes. Many of these extension activities preceded the Smith-Lever Act of 1914, the federal program which encouraged agricultural extension efforts. After the implementation of this program, Milward directed the Smith-Lever program in Wisconsin.
He also led and coordinated efforts to develop, maintain, and distribute improved potato varieties in order to insure a high quality product. The Wisconsin seed certification program which was started by the Department of Horticulture in 1913 was the first in the nation.
It was also under Milward's guidance that the Wisconsin Potato Growers Association was founded in 1912 in Waupaca. This was the first such organization in the nation to be state-funded. As part of Milward's duties as potato extension specialist, he also served as WPGA secretary from its inception until 1952. During this period he directed and coordinated all of its activities, bringing together those involved in all phases of the industry in Wisconsin, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the University, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture and Marketing, and officials and growers in other states.
Milward was also a member of the Potato Association of America, serving as its president in 1922. In 1956 he was elected an honorary lifetime member. He was also a member of Epsilon Sigma Phi, the national honorary extension fraternity.
James Milward died on July 10, 1963.
