History lecture by Dwight Patterson 2006 March

Patterson gives some of his family's history including that his grandfather homesteaded in Arizona in 1888 and his father ran one of Mesa's first telephone companies. Patterson who farmed in Mesa gives a brief overview of the history of farming in the area. He describes some of the machinery used in harvesting and baling hay and talks about the water supply in Arizona. He discusses the future of farming in the area the price of land and the government's interference. Patterson responds to several questions from the audience and expresses in pride in the city of Mesa its city government its parks system and its unique history. He tells of his transition from a football coach to a farmer working with sheep and cattle and mentions the numerous pieces of land he's owned. Patterson also talks about the unification of several school districts in Mesa ? Union Lehi Mesa. Alma and Jordan ? and attributes that success to Harvey Taylor.