The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1920-12-02
THREE THOUSAND
SOCIETIES UNITE
IN co COOPERATION
Farmers of Minnesota Have
Made Great Strides in
Solving Problems
HANDLED POTATO CROP
N. J. Holmberg Declares That
Plan Affords Practical Sys-
tenn of Marketing
HANDLED POTATO CROP

Chicago, H., Dec 2.-INarmers in
Minnesota, with more than 5000 CO.
Opertive associations, a majority
marketing organizations in purpose,
are prepared to move forward co
solve the big marketing problems that
face the American farmer, N. }. Holm
berg. Minnesota commissioner OF
agriculture, told the National Associa-
ton of Commissioners, Secretaries
and Departments of Agriculture, III
convention here today.
Mr.. Holmberg discussed the Drac-
teal projects of marketing depart
ment, and told of the experiences VI
the Minnesota department Ut Agri-
culture in the marketing problems.
when the Minnesota department
was created about two years ago"
Mr.. Holmberg said. 1T WAS given
rather broad powers with regard 10
cooperation and marketing control
in addition to the authorization to
standardize and grade products, is-
sue market reports, and regulate GER
tain marketing activities.
Supervise Geld Storage
Later on, at a special session Of
the legislature supervision over the
cold storage Of the state was granted,
as was the supervision of organizing
cO-Opertive associations. The depart
ment also has power to investiga te
business practices, many Of which
are not of an agricultural nature
The first farmers elevators in Min
nesota were started in the seventies.
.Ir. Holmberg said, and the cream
cries began in the eighties, and the
rineties were a period Of rapid eX-
pansion of farmers elevators and
creameries.
The past twenty years." the COM
missioner continued, has seen the
rise of the livestock shipping ass0-
Citations and various other forms of
cooperative efforts.
Organize Potato Growers ri
"The first problem confronting the
department following the granting Of
it's new powers, was the OrganiZa-
ton of the potato growers. Ap-
proximately thirty-five struggling CO.
operative organizations were made 4
nucleus of a statewide federation,
which today embraces 104 associa-
tions, handling one-fourth of the to-
tai potato crop OF the state, or about
5000 cars, during the, shipping sea-
son. This was made possible by the
co-operati ton Of the extension division
of the Agricultural college, and the
county agents, which are in practical
ly every one Of the states eighty-six
countless"
1t is proposed to organize the grain
elevators along similar lines of CO.
operation, Mr.. Holmberg said, and a
plan is contemplated to centraliZe by
cooperation the livestock shipping
associations now scattered over the
state.
"Our conception of state department.
of agriculture, in so far as it re-
lates to marketing" the speaker con-
cluded, "is to find out what the mar
keting problems of the farmer in that
state may be and to establish from
that point onward to the consumer
the widest and most open channels
of farm products. 1t is my belief
that this can best be accOmplishe ed
by recognizing the value Of existing
market agencies. and by utilizing
these in so far as it may be pos
sible.
81 believe the time is here for the
farmer in cooperation with his neigh
bors, and federated co operation with
other groups of farmers. to finance
the market movement and the selling
of his products through the entire
chain from the farm at least as far as
the terminal market" Z.