Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1919-04-09
Editorial.


A few days ago one Of our farmer
friends raised the question what is
the Farm Burea?'u A fair question
and his answer may be Of interest to
other farmers. At least he cast his
lot with the Farm Bureau and is now
boosting its work.
Answer:-During the reconstruc-
ton period following the Civil War
the farming conditions in the south
were about paralyzed. 1t became
evident that leaders would be needed
who understood conditions and could
put the southern farms on "a paying
basis.
AS result farm managers were Sc
cured through government aid who
assisted and guided the agricultural
work in several counties. Gradually
the work became SO heavy that it
was necessary to get farm advisors
for a single county. These men as
sisted in every way possible to put
agriculture on q pa ing basis. With
the result that the, South is now COM
ing to the trent in Scrop and live
stock production, Living conditions
have been bettSfed and farmers have
prospered under the fuidSnce and as
sistance Of these adyh6s.
Northern farmers We're not long
in recognizing the value OF such
work. AS result Farm Improve
ment Associations began to be form
ed here and there. These Associa-
lions hired manager or county
representative. called in most states
County Agents. It was the duty Of
the association representative to asa
sist the members of the association
in every way that he could. Live
stock was improved, soil and crops
were studied and made to produce,
various marketing associations were
formed. In fact, every phase of home
and farm life became part Of the
associations program. Out of this
work developed need for County
Nurses to inspect children and rem
der assistance, Home Demonstration
women were needed to assist In de-
veloping a better home life and final
ly the boys and girls were taught
to love the farm and better farm life
and methods through consolidated
schools and club work Of various
kinds.
Illinois probably has the oldest
farm improvement association In the
corn belt. These associations have
performed good work. This is evil
denced by the fact that in Illinois some
counties provide $4,000 to carry on
this work. Their membership dues
are $500 a year and they sign up for
three years.
In Iowa the Oldest Associations were
started about 1909 in Wright and
Scott counties, followed by Black
hawk. Today every county in Iowa
has an association known as Farm
Bureau. The total membership Is
nearly $4,000 With the exception OF
two counties which have member
ship fee of $1,000 the rest have IS
fee.
That the Farm Bureau movement
Is the outgrowth OF direct need LOT
a central clearing house for the farm
er's business is evidenced by its phe-
nominal growth. Today there are ov-
er 100000 Farm Bureau members
Thirteen states have formed sote
Federation of Farm Bureaus and the
time is close at hand fbr national
Federation. The farmet will then
have a voice in affairs that concern
his business the same as labor and
the commercial world have had for
some time.
The purpose of the State Federation
is to provide a clearing house for the
agricultural needs in the state This
federation is actually farming, has
made success Of his business, and
is qualified to represent the needs OF
his county.
We print in another section a re-
port just received from the Secretary
of the State Federation. Read 1t.
Iowa Farm Bureau Federation.
The County Agent has just received
this communication from the Farm
Bureau Federation Secretary: