Sharp County record., 1917-12-21
ARKANSAS CAMPUS
Of THE UNIVERSITY
Agricultural Extension Division Helps
Solve Practically All the
Problems.

sion Division, University of Ark
ansas.
Arkansas the Campus Of the Uni
versity" has become a reality. The
Agricultural Extension Division or
ganized in a small way only few
years ago has grown in extent of SER
vice and in range Of subject matter
until now the University is in position
% serve any community in the state
in connection with practically any OF
It's agricultural problems.
Unity Of Effort.
Through a memorandum of under.
tanding the College of Agriculture OF
he University and the United States
Department of Agriculture have
lgreed that all extension work con.
iucted in the state by either institu-
ion will be through a central organi-
,ation, the Extension Division Of the
College of agriculture. This insures
unity of effort and avoids useless du-
plication.
The Agricultural Extension Work
Is founded on the fundamental prin-
2iple that the best way of teaching IS
through demonstration. For this rea-
son the term Demonstration Work"
is very often used.
OruanIzation.
The College Of Agriculture of the
University and the U. S. Department
# Agriculture look to the Director Of
Extension as their joint representa-
i've responsible to each. Under this
organization the State Agent has
charge of County Agent work; the
State Home Demonstration Agent, the
County Agent Work for Women; the
State Boys and Girls Club Agent,
Club Work; and highly trained spec
ialists in the several phases of agri-
culture and home economics,
County Agent Work.
Sixty-two county agents, employed
Jointly by the Extension Division and
the county, visit farmers on their own
farms, in their own communities, at
their own schools advise them as to
best farm practices for their particu-
lar soil, farm, and market conditions;
conduct demonstrations with them;
enroll and instruct farmer boys In
the club work Of corn, cotton, peanut,
pig, or calf growing; and each be-
comes a guiding factor In shaping the
agricultural growth of his county
along lines Of greatest economic value
10 the county.
Demonstrations Within Farm Homes.
Forty.seven trained women (next
year there will be sixty, County
Home Demonstration Agents, assist
the farm wives in their efforts to be.
come better housekeepers, Here, too,
the demonstration is the basis on
which the lesson Is taught. The girls
are taught to grow tenth acre Of to-
matoes or other vegetables, or a pen
Of chickens. Canning and drying Of
fruits and vegetables are taught
through actual demonstrations. w.
men and girls study bread making,
sewing, and the many other household
problems through demonstrations con.
Quoted by the agent But by far the
greater effect Of the work Is the de.
velopment Of leadership on the part
of local people who volunteer and aid
in promoting the work in the many
communities Of tho county,
Supervision.
For economy and efficiency in su.
pervIRion Of the work the state Is d..
vided into five districts Of fifteen coun.
ties each, The District Agent (man)
is responsible to the State Agent for
the work Of each Of the county agents
In his district, The District Home
Demonstration Agent (woman) Is re.
sponsible 10 the State Home Demon.
stration Agent for the work Of the
County Home Demonstration Agents
In her district.
Speelallste.
County Agents are called upon for
information in all branches OF agrt.
culture. He, therefore, cannot spe.
cialize In any one branch OF agrioul-
ture, More or less technical inforua.
ton Of q specialized character ID
necessary for certain types Of farn.
ing In all counties of the state. This
demand IA mot by providing special.
lists, men who have had opportunity
TO make special study Of u certain
branch OF agriculture and placing
their services nj the disposal OF the
County Agents 10 instruct them and
assist thom In inatruotIng othors, The
following limos are now supplied with
ono or moro specialists; Animal hss-
bondry doiryng, horticulture, hone
economies, livestock diseases, farm
machinery, poultry and marketing.
Ultimate Aim.
While the Extension Division wan
apparently created AZ IN agency for
carrying the information possessed BY
the University the Experiment sta.
tlohs, ana the Department Of Agrieul.
ture to the people, It would be d fail.