The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1917-01-26
WHY MARYLAND FARMERS
SHOULD ORGANIZE.
Clearly Shown in Annual Reports Of
County Demonstration Agents.

The improvement in farming
methods and conditions in Maryland
during the year past as indicated
through the reports of the several
county demonstration agents has
been measured to a large extent by
the growth of farmers organizations
in their various sections. Although
steady and consistent improvement
has resulted in most sections where
the individual demonstration has car
ried out his work successfully, the
best results are being obtained where
the progressive farmers Of a neigh
borhood have joined with the County
Agent in forming a local farmers
club, grange, or community assOcia-
ton. Through cooperation with
such farmers organizations the intlu-
ence of the County Agent is much in
creased. There is better under
standing Of his work, questions are
freely asked and answered, and the
average farmer goes home 20 his own
. l2Gors knowing better how to make
Use OF the services Of his County
Agent and along what lines his frl-
lOW-farmerS think improvements in
his farm operations should be made.
-
through the influence of the county
grange organization and the several
local farmers clubs, the farmers OF
that section are progressing rapidly
i'll improving farming conditions.
Where here and there, an individual
or a neighborhOod showed commend
] able progress, 4WhOle communities,
and, in fact, the agricultural inter
~ rl.z
! to the needs of their section. Follow
ing the organization Of various COM
munities in the county into clubs,
oranges, and associations, the farm
ers OF Hartford county have organ
lied other associations for the pro-
motion of special industries to which
the county is adapted, such as COW
testing, corn breeders, and milk pro-
! ducers' associations that are already
bearing practical fruit in making
farming better paying business in
this section.
! The presence and growth of these
organizations has been especially
helpful in enabling the farmers of
Hartford county to make the most in
telligent use of their County Agent,
L. h. Mclaughlin, who has accom-
pllShed some most helpful work dur
ing his first years employment. The
most recent step in which he has
actively co-Operated has been in the
organization of eleven boys agricul-
tural clubs in connection with the
schools of Hartford county and with
the consent and support of the school
authorities. In taking this advanced
step, Hartford county has taken an
other long stride toward settling the
question of how We shall keep the
farm boy on the farm. Yet without
the strong backing OF local farmers
clubs and oranges, such d forward
step could not have been taken or
thought of. The best support that
any county demonstration agent re
celVes comes from the progressive
farmers clubs and oranges OF his
county whom he has convinced of the
value of his services and the most
practical method OF developing the
agricultural interests of his territory.
On the other hand, the Maryland
farmer who is making the greatest
profitable profit and at the same time
getting the most healthy enjoyment
out of life for his family and him
self is the member of the local farm
ers' club or grange or community as
sociation made possible through his
efforts and intelligent cooperation
with his County Demonstration Agent
and his State College of Agriculture.