The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1917-01-18
COUNTY AGENTS
SAYS u s. DEP'MT
OF AGRICULTURE
Growth Of County Agents In West and
Northwest In the Past Four
Years

of the realization that improved meth
DDS may be brought to the attention
OF the farmer more effectually by the
personal contact and demonstration
than in any other way, the county
agricultural agent work vas begun in
the Northern and Western States in
1911 by the United States Department
of Agriculture, the State agricultural
colleges, and county agencies, in CO.
operation.
Growth of the Work
During this year only 5 county
agents were operating in the North
ern and Western States, but by July
1, 1916, the lumber had increased to
419, the work having ben taken up in
every one of the Northern and West
ern States. While the general nature
OF the activities of the agents is the
same throughout the territory, the
provisions under which the States as
sist in the work vary considerably.
In some States the cooperation of
organized groups OF farmers in the
counties is a prerequisite to contri-
button of State funds, and in many
instances these farmers contribute
directly a substantial part Of the nee
essary expense money. Even where
the existence of such organizations is
not required. many have sprung up
and are playing important parts in
the success of the county agent work.
Money for carrying on the county
agent activities is contributed by the
Federal Government through the
United States Department OF Agri-
culture and the agricultural extern
sion act fund: by the States, usually
through the agricultural colleges; by
county supervisors; by local farm
ers; and by public spirited individuals
and organizations in both county and
city. The average total annual bud
get for the work of each county is
about 5000.
The County Agents Plan Of Work
The work OF the county agents
varies with the needs of their COM
munities, but in general is addressed
to the Improvement of agricultural
methods, practices, and conditions
wherever possible through demon
STATIONS, talks, and publications, and
through calling attention to good
methods already practiced by the
best farmers of the community. The
needs of the county usually are dis
cussed by the agents with State ex-
tension-work leaders, county officials,
and leading farmers, and a project
found who are willing to cooperate
in the demonstration Of certain i'm
proved methods and, when results of
the demonstrations are apparent,
field meetings are held in order that
the farmers may see the results and
determine their value. The agent
also assists the farmers to organize
cooperative associations; condusts
short courses in agriculture; holds
meetings, often illustrated by lantern
slides of local agricultural subjects;
writes timely agricultural articles
which are published in the local coun-
ty press; and carries on other SINH
lar activities.
Fitting the Work to Local Needs
How the activities of the agents
vary with their environment is shown
by the work with corn. In the far
North and Northwest this work has
been chiefly in securing varieties that
will mature in the short growing sea-
son. In the corn belt principal atten-
tion has been given to the testing OF
seed and the Standardization of var
ieties. In New York and New Eng
land emphasis has been placed on the
growing Of more satisfactory silage
varieties.
In Illinois activities have centered
In some sections on the introduction
of alfalfa, and in n county having
an agent since 1914 there Is now a
greater acreage of alfalfa than there
was in the whole State in 1914. Prac-
tically throughout the Northwest the
agents have striven to bring about
the more general treatment of oat
seed to prevent smut. In some coun-
ties where demonstrations have been
carried on for three years the practice
has become almost universal. The
average increase in yield, due to the
treatment. on all demonstrations has
been S.S bushels, and has been obtain
ed at a cost OF less than 10 cents.
Improving Livestock Operations
The county agents have been In
strumental in bringing about the in
PRODUCTION of live stock in regions
where grain farming had been ex-
clusively Or largely practiced. and in
all sections Of the Northwest have
done much toward the standardiza-
ton OF breeds. One saving they have
effected frequently In cattle raising
IL the exchange Of sires by different
This has. IN 1arwe