The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1913-08-28
Will ORGANIZE
FARMERS CLUBS
Minnesota University Extension
Division Has Important Work
Mapped Out.
200 CLUBS NOW ORGANIZED
Work of Clubs Includes Wide
Range cooperation With
Institute Work.

the aim of the university department
of agricultural extension under the di-
rection of Professor A D. Wilson,
says the Minneapolis Journal. Every
agricultural township in Minnesota is
to have it's 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 begun to increase
the total of 1000 before the end of
the year.
ct is the biggest attempt that has
ever been made in this state to organ
ize the farmers into unified body
with a central administration for the
purpose of furthering in every way
possible the interests of the farmer
and his family" said Professor Will
son late yesterday. 1.-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 of
our staff which are engaged in the or
ganization and maintenance of these
clubs. -.
1--WE aim to make the farmers club
an organization for the whole family,
1t is intended to further the social as
well as the educational and business
interests of the farmer and his fam
lily. The suggested outlines of pro-
grams which he send out for the
monthly or semi-monthly meetings of
the clubs take this into account. Be-
sides the social diversions suggested
on the monthly programs sent to each
club there are four agricultural to-
pics of timely interest suggested, CIV
ing an outline of what they might in
clude and a list of publications which
contain material upon these subjects.
We print also a small essay of 500
to 1000 words on each topic, which
may be read and discussed at the
meeting. This makes it possible to
conduct a meeting even though there
are no orators among the assembled
company.
"The manner in which these clubs
further the business interest of the
farmer has already been shown in sew
eral we'll marked cases. The Litchfield
Farmers club undertook the co-opera-
tive shipping of livestock, and in four
years increased the shipment of live
stock from fourteen to forty-six cars
a year. The Dassel Farmers cub
formed farmers corporation which
is now shipping livestock, conducting
a cow testing association, shipping
cartoned eggs, and handling ware
house through which they sell seed
corn and seed grain.
"A farmers club at Chatfield
brought about the existence of CO.
operative creamery and both are being
successfully operated. And there are
many more instances of the immediate
benefit brought about by the organiza-
ton 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 So
cial life and for their educational
needs. The tendency of the farmer is
to lead solitary life. And this ten
dency must be combated strongly. The
farmers club is the thing which will
work the salvation of the farmer as
nothing else will Meeting once or
twice month in private house, school
house, or hall, the farmer comes into
contact with all his fellows and to-
gether they discuss the common prob
lens which are bothering them, and
with the help of the trained men sent
to them by the state are aided in their
solution.
We nave CAAloCC0 thS AAASSASSS -
everybody concerned in this new
movement. Letters have been sent out
to the alumni of both the school ant
college of agriculture in this state
to the teachers of agricultural sub
jects in the various high schools
throughout Minnesota. to the towr
clerks in most Of the townships ant
to many farmers living in all parts
of Minnesota, asking for cooperation
in the movement. In November w
will send out men to organize and di
rect the formation Of clubs in all tn
townships which have expressed =
desire to have the club and can shov
the necessary number OF intereste'
/ farmers.
i 'aTo such clubs, when organized W
supply form for 4 consideration
i outlines of suggested programs TO
t~oo,&svroc orv m tort01 that they ma