Keats Kendall Vining was born July 15, 1889 in Lakeview, Michigan. He attended Michigan Agricultural College (now Michigan State University) and graduated in 1913 with a B.S. in Agriculture. While at M.A.C., he was a member of the Forensic Literary Society, the Farmer’s Club, and the M.A.C. Officers’ Association, Company E.

After graduation, Vining taught agriculture at Fremont High School from 1913 to 1917. He served as a 4-H Director in Newaygo County from 1914 to 1916. He became the Emmet County Agricultural Agent in 1918 and remained there until 1921, when he received the Kent County post. Vining remained in Kent County, where he lived in Grand Rapids, until his retirement in 1949. After retirement, he served as reporter for various publications and became Michigan Editor of “Prairie Farmer” magazine.

Vining married Lavesta Edgerly and had two children: Keats Kendall, Jr. and Jeane Marie. He was the President of the State Society for the Promotion of Agricultural Education for 1916-1917. He was given the Distinguished Service Certificate from the National Association of County Agricultural Agents in 1946. Camp Vining, a 4-H camp in Rockford, Michigan, was named in his honor. He died February 12, 1973 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.