Lawrence Eldred Kirk

Lawrence Eldred Kirk

Lawrence Eldred Kirk, agriculturist (b at Bracebridge, Ont 27 May 1886; d at Saskatoon 27 Nov 1969). Kirk's most significant contribution was the breeding and introduction in 1932 of Fairway, the first variety of crested wheat grass, to the great plains of Canada. The use of this grass was a contributing factor in bringing the "dust bowl" of the 1930s under control. Fairway crested wheat grass is still the main grass used to reseed rangeland. Kirk taught at the University of Saskatchewan and Moose Jaw Collegiate Institute before joining the Experimental Farms Service as Dominion Agrostologist in Ottawa. He then became dean of agriculture at U Sask before moving to Rome as head of the plant-industry branch in the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, a position he held until retirement in 1954.