Otto Klindworth‑ Pioneer in this Field
In 1931 Klindworth started his work with seed improvement. He saw a need for pure durum and there wasn't any available. He developed the Klindworth Kubanka Durum and a flax known as Walsh flax. Up to this time there was literally no one in North Dakota developing or experimenting with pure seed.
Klindworth saw the necessity of developing a seed that was resistant to rust, a very big problem and also had a good milling quality. So he made a cross of two strains from a variety of durum that came from Kubanka, Russia.
In 1937 grasshoppers were a real problem which led to the developing of Walsh flax. It had a heavy stem and the grasshoppers would eat everything else in sight before it would attack this variety of flax.
Following graduation, Klindworth taught school at NDAC at Fargo, instructing students in Agronomy and elementary electricity. He took over the family farm at Fessenden in 1920.
In 1937 he expanded his certified seed business by buying and processing field inspected seeds and marketed them. In 1945 he sold the family farm and purchased three sections of land in the Carrington area and started the Klindworth Seed and Supply Company in Carrington in 1947. The business specialized in the growing and purchasing of field inspected seeds, processing and selling certified seeds, fertilizers, chemicals and insecticides.
He sold the business in 1976 which was located where Rosenau Seed and Supply presently stands. Klindworth was instrumental in developing the state seed department. As farmers began to demand better seed the business continued to expand, selling seed all over the country and in Canada.
He also was a promoter of chemical weed control, being one of the first to control weeds in this manner. He is credited with helping to design the Sinox Sprayer.
Otto Klindworth has been the recipient of numerous state and national awards for his seed work. He received the Distinguished Service Award from Crop Improvement Association for his contribution to North Dakota farming. He also had the U.S. Championship Hard Red Spring Wheat in 1933. He was a leader in collecting funds for the Casselton Agronomy Seed farm. He served on various committees for the federal government.
Mr. Klindworth stated, "Today's farmers have to know what they're doing or they're not in business. Farming today is a science"
Source: A History of Foster County 1983 Page 123