History of Kansas class to hear from 99-year-old farmer History of Kansas class to hear from 99-year-old farmer

Loyd Ratts, a 99-year-old farmer, will speak to Beccy Tanner's History of Kansas class at 7 p.m. today (Wednesday, Nov. 5) in Room 109 on the Wichita State University West Campus. He will talk about farming methods, Dust Bowl politics and forgotten skills.

At about 8 p.m., WuShock is scheduled to appear in class to give Ratts a Wichita State sweatshirt.

Ratts still actively farms in Stafford County. He has memories of farming in western Kansas during the Great Depression, of meeting John Romley, the infamous goat gland doctor and radio broadcaster, and offers insight on how to court a woman. Ratts was married twice.

Three years ago, Ratts received a patent for an invention he made on grain bin doors. Ratts never went to college. He is self-taught.
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Contact: Joe Kleinsasser, director of news and media relations, 316-978-3013, cell 316-204-8266 or joe.kleinsasser@wichita.edu.