Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1913-08-29
A THOUSAND CLUBS.
Movement Launched for Farm
ers' Clubs in Every Township

g
aim of university department of agri-
cultural extension under the direction
of Professor A. D. Wilson. Every
agricultural township in Minnesota is
to have its farmers club if the plans
of Professor Wilson and his staff are
successfully carried out. There are
200 clubs already organized. and an
active campaign has been begun to in
crease the total to 1000 before the
end of the year
1T is the biggest effort that has
ever been made in this state to or
ganize the farmers into unified body
with central administration for the
purpose of futhering in every way
possible the interests of the farmer
and his family" said Professor vii.
son recently. "The clubs will be
kept in constant touch with the ex-
tension division of the university
farm, both through publications which
we are constantly getting out and
through the frequent visits of those
on our staff who are engaged in the
organization and maintenance of these
clubs.
"We aim to make the farmers
clubs an organization for the whole
family. 1t is intended to further the
social as we'll as the educational and
business interests of the farmer and
his family. The suggested outlines
of programs which he sends out for
the monthly or semi-monthly meet
ings of the clubs take this into ac-
count. Besides the social diversions
suggested on the monthly programs
sent to each club there are four agri-
cultural topics of timely interest sug-
gested, giving an outline of what they
might include and list of publica.
tions which contain material upon
these subjects. We print also large
essay of 500 to 1000 words on each
. topic which may be read and discussed
at the meeting. This makes it pos
sible to conduct meeting even
though there are no orators among the
assembled company
1.-The manner in which these clubs
further the business interest of the
farmer has already been shown in
several well marked cases. The
Litchield Farmers Club undertook
the cooperative shipping oflivestock.
and in four years increased the ship
ment of live stock from fourteen to
forty.six cars a year. The Dassel
Farmers Club formed farmers cor
poration which is now shipping live
stock, conducting COW testing asso-
citation. shipping cartoned eggs, and
handling warehouse through which
they sell seed corn and seed grain.
A farmers club at Chatfield brought
about the existence of. a cooperative
laundry in connection with the CO.
operative creamery and both are be-
ing successfully operated. And there
are many more instances of the i'm
mediate benefit brought about by the
organization of the farmers into clubs
for the purpose of looking after their
own interests.
"The need of the farmer at this
time is organization not only for pur.
poses of business but also for the
social life and for their educational
needs. The tendency of the farmer
is to lead a solitary life. And this
tendency must be combatted strongly.
The farmers club is the thing which
will work the salvation of the farmer
as nothing else will. Meeting once or
twice a month in a private house,
school house. or hall, the farmer
comes into contact with all his fellows
and together they discuss the common
problems which are bothering them.
and with the help of the trained men
sent 10 them by the state are aided in
their solution.
"We have enlisted the interest OF
everybody concerned in this new
movement. Letters have been sent
out to the Alumni of both the school
and college of agriculture in this
state, to the teachers of agricultural
subjects in the various high schools
throughout Minnesota, to the town
clerks in most of the townships and
to many farmers living in all parts
of Minnesota, asking for CO. operation
in the movement. In November we
will send out men to organize and
direct the formation of clubs in all
the townships which have expressed g
desire to have the club and can show
the necessary number of interested
farmers.
TO such clubs, when organized
we supply a form for constitution.
outlines Of suggested program fol
meetings, any material they may
want on any subject which is of spe.