James G. Patton was a friend of several presidents, and was known as one of President Truman's closest advisors. As president of the Denver-based National Farmers Union from 1940 to 1966, James Patton left an impact on the world that extended beyond agriculture and rural communities. He served on the National Advisory Committee of Rural Areas Development, was a member of the Food for Peace Council, Freedom From Hunger and served on the national advisory board of the Marshall Plan.