ST. LOUIS — On July 13, 2007, in recognition of the support of Blanton and Peg Whitmire’s support and shared commitment to using plant science to improve the human condition, the Danforth Center celebrated the dedication of Dr. Ed Cahoon’s lab as the Margaret S. and Blanton J. Whitmire Laboratory. The Whitmire’s generous endowment gift not only contributes to the long-term sustainability of the Center, it also recognizes what Blanton and Peg describe as “a good fit.”
Blanton Whitmire is the former owner/President of Whitmire Research Laboratories (now Whitmire Micro-Gen). During his time at the company, Blanton traveled widely in many of the same developing countries where Danforth Center scientists have established collaborative research endeavors. He was struck by the living conditions in places like Kenya, Uganda and the Sudan and shocked by the high rates of pest-related food loss in developing countries – 30% compared to less than 5% in countries like the U.S. Having witnessed such problems first-hand, Blanton appreciated the work that Danforth Center scientists like Dr. Cahoon were doing to produce safer, more nutritious pest and disease resistant crops – as well as the resonance of these advances with his own legacy.
“Pest management was my business and I promised myself that if I had the opportunity to help out, I would.” Peg and Blanton were convinced that there was “no area of greater need,” and after learning about the work of the Danforth Center, concluded that “Here is a place that may be able to make a difference.” It is obvious that the same can be said of the Whitmires themselves since their generosity is already making a difference for the Danforth Center and the future of our planet and its people.