The Filer record. (Filer, Idaho) 1919-1930, 1920-08-12
THE FARMER AND
THE FARM BUREAU
Rr H. e. POWERS. eouny Ageni


In fashioning a salutatory as your
county agricultural agent the writ
er fears that possibly his acQuaint-
ance with people and affairs I'm Twin
Falls county Is too limited TO enter
into a special discussion OF any phase
OF farm or community activities and
that generalization OF a broad
subject might be more appropriate
and at the same time afford an OPP
portunity TO express some Views rela-
tive 70 the farm bureau as an agen-
CT for propogating crystalixed ex-
periences that have proved their
worth. AS an organization or an in
stituion the farm bureau Is by no
means a panacea for all agricultural
ills TO which the farmer is heir. but
Il affords very convenient medium
through which better farming prac-
rice. better farm business and better
arm life may be brought 10 all.
Under the Smith-Lever act OF i9i2
there was established q national sys-
tenn OF extension service which
endeavors 10 reach practically every
farmer in the land with the best the
agricultural college can give. AS a
result of the act. the farm bureau
system is emerging and will soon be
found In nearly every agricultural
county in the United States.
rne United States department or
agriculture is by far the greatest
piece OF government machinery in
the world for gathering and distrib-
uting information about agricultural
subjects. The attitude OF the gov
eminent shows the very high esteem
In which the farmer Is held In no
age OF history and in no country has
there been nor is there now his
equal American farm life has bred
the most skilful farmers, the most
Intelligent rural citizens, the most
engaging farm homes 10 be found
anywhere in the world. This praise
APPLIES to the real American farmer.
the owner and active manager OF a
lfamily-size farm, who came with the
best blood of pioneer America, whose
Intelligence is comparable with that
of the leading groups of citizens OF
the republic. II is very doubtful IL
these ideas and ideals could be more
fully epitomized anywhere than In
Twin Falls county. where the day OF
the lone farmer has passed 10 the
day of rural civilization, adequate
and sustaining. Local rural com
munities must be built up as the
bulwark OF a true democracy OF work
and life as well as government, and
thus each will help the other 10 help
himself.
All through history the human
mind as held to the ideals OF better
day for mankind. The tragedy OF
the ages has been its postponement.
nut the hope never dies. The war
stirred to It's depths this spirit OF pro-
gress to be made in terms OF human
welfare and happiness. Now we are
10 have In vastly enlarged measure
the opportunities for comfort and
happiness and rewarding labor. one
growth of mind and heart. The
farmers. like other groups, must or
canize in order TO meet world stu
qtions. but organize in such way
that the farmer as an individual re
tafns his freedom. A plan Tor builo-
ing up the business OF agriculture
must be developed.
In most communities the farmers
big problem is not one OF production
hut OF selling TO advantage. Here. IN
a large measure, lies the function OF
the farm bureau One OF It's cnief
functions. as the writer sees II. IL Is
10 engender a hearty spirit OF coop
GRAFTON among the various groups or
communities. The organization OF
a local farming community is IN
some ways the biggest single enter
prise. IL means the effort 10 persu-
AIDE all the people and the local as
sociatfons and agencies OF the COM
munity 10 pull together for the con,
mon good Organization Is the the
only way TO fill efficiency. II shouts
inspire each man and group TO DO It's
best for the common good In coop
Grafton with all the rest.
The development of many OF the
great breeds OF purebred livestock
owe their origin and development 10
community breeding. This is true
az Jersey. Guernsey. Hclstein and
Avreshire cattle. and Perchercn
horses. The methods OF apple grow
ers OF Hood river valley. OF the
Rocky Ford melon growers, OF the
potato growers OF Greeley. Colo. are
an Illustrations OF advantages gath
cred when an entire community de-
votes its energy 10 that definite ine
of production for which II Is best
ada pied. This principle Is recog-
nized by manufacturers, and we nave
shoe cities, automobile cities ana
iewelry cities. IL is difficult 10 ex-
aggerate the advantages that accrue
when a community of farmers sets
out to bring production TO this com
mon basis. each farmer seeking 10
10 do HIS best, and all working to-
xether along a common line. Com
munIty production does not mean
that a community will grow only one
crpp--lt will grow whatever crops
can be best grown Ia that community
but whatever II does grow VIII De
pushed 10 the limit Standards vii
be set mp. Quality viii be sought
There n a common purpose ara
common gain. To this end the ener-
gIes az the farmer and farm bureau