President Nixon hosted the Buxton family, the designated National Farm Family of the Year, alongside Agriculture Secretary Earl Butz and Senator Wallace Bennett for a ceremonial meeting in the Oval Office. The participants engaged in light conversation regarding the Buxtons' Utah farming operations, cattle ranching, and the rising costs of higher education. The President utilized the visit to present gifts to the guests and facilitate an official photo session with the press and White House staff.
On July 10, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon, Verl M. Buxton, Mrs. Verl M. Buxton, Carol Buxton, Mark Buxton, Dale Buxton, Earl L. Butz, Wallace F. Bennett, Richard M. Fairbanks, III, White House photographer, and members of the press met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 12:29 pm and 12:43 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 947-011 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 947-11
Date: July 10, 1973
Time: 12:29 pm - 12:43 pm
Location: Oval Office
The President met with Verl M. Buxton, Mrs. Verl M. Buxton, Carol Buxton, Mark Buxton,
Dale Buxton, Earl L. Butz, Wallace F. Bennett, and Richard M. Fairbanks, III. The White House
photographer and members of the press were present at the beginning of the meeting.
Wallace F. Bennett’s health
Introduction
-Utah farm
-College
-Fairbanks
-Utah State Director
Buxton family [National Farm Family of the Year]
-Marriage
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NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
(rev. October-2012)
Conversation No. 947-11 (cont’d)
-Carpentry
-Farm construction
-Cattle
-Purchases
-Scholarships
-Cost of college
-Farm life
Arrangements for photograph
-White House, Agriculture Department photographer
General conversation
-Bennett
-Horse breeding
-Career choices
-Photographs
-Copies
Oval Office furnishings
-People’s Republic of China [PRC]
-Bonsai tree
-Age
Presentation of gifts by President
-Cufflinks
-Gifts for women
Weather
-Air conditioning
Arrangements for photograph
General conversation
Buxton et al. left at 12:43 pm.
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NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
(rev. October-2012)This transcript was generated automatically by AI and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite this transcript as authoritative. Consult the Finding Aid above for verified information.