Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-08-17

fostered by the United States de-
partment of agriculture and the
Georgia State College of Agricul-
ture. The term farm bureau was
activities carried on by the federal
department and by the state col
lege embraced in it's membership
all the boys and girls, men and
women cooperating In boys and
girls club work, establishment of
creameries and cheese factories, CO.
operative marketing of hogs, CO.
operative purchasing of fertilizers
and live stock, home economics
clubs among women and like move
ments. This is what the farm bu-
reau means in Georgia today and
in great many other states.
However, there is another type of
farm bureau that is essentially and
fundamentally a business organiza-
ton that employs highly paid tech
nical experts to, manage it's af-
fairs. 1t goes into the matter of
cooperative purchasing of supplies
and marketing of farm products on
a much larger scale and requires a
large operating capital. The Amer
lean Farm Bureau federation was
organized in Chicago on March g.,
Georgia farmers contributing ST.
600 to the organization while the
farmers in the highly organized
state of Iowa put in $52,194.00.
The American Farm Bureau fed
GRAFTON embraces % states, has a
total membership of approximately
100000, and it's budget is $780,
100000. It's president is James R.
Howard, of Clemens, Iowa, who is
paid $15,OO0.OO a year and allowed
100000 for travelling expenses.
The basis of all farm bureau
work is the program of work and
Of II
county program. There is also a
state program and a national pro-
gram.
The American Farm Bureau fed
Grafton has on the basis of it's
$2OO,0OO.O0 budget laid out a ma
tional program and created the fol-
lowing bureaus, several of which
have headquarters at Washington.
1.-THE executive committee was in
structed to set up without delay a
business organization, under the di-
rection of trained experts, and
creates bureaus of divisions as fol-
lows:
1. A bureau of transportation
which will look into transportation
matters on both rail and water, to
the end that we may secure rates
on farm products which shall be
fair as compared with rates on 9TH
duu WHICH Shall
give to the farmer of the United
States ocean rates which will enable
him to compete on fair basis with
the farmers of other nations of the
world
2. A bureau of trade relations
which shall investigate our dealings
with foreign countries to the end
that the interests of agriculture
may be promoted.
~ +cih
shall make a thorough study of the
distribution of farm products.
4. A bureau Of statistics which
which influence supply and de-
mand, and which shall especially
study the. mechanics of prices.
5. A legislative bureau which shall
have to do with matters of nation
al legislation which affects farm
ing and farmers
will make special study of coop
erative methods which have been
found to be successful both here
and in other countries, and which
shall draw up standard forms for
kinds and aid state declarations to
promote local cooperative enter
prises on thoroughly safe and truly
cooperative lines.
A state program for Georgia that
would go into farm bureau work
as a big business will require at
least $780, 100000 the first year to
carry it to completion. The present
farm bureau plan contemplates rails
ing $1.00 for men, SO cents for
women and rs cents each for boys
and girls. The greater part Of this
money is to remain in the commu-
nifty in which it is raised, giving a
very small operating capital for the
state organization. When the farm
bureau goes into big business, suff1-
Gent capital must be supplied.
Whatever farm the bureau takes
in Georgia the county agent and
the home demonstration agent may,
under the law, act in an advisory ca
pacity and help in every way posi-
BILE in carrying the program of
the county agent serves as secre
the program of work of the bureau
becomes his program of work. I'm
der the present plan in Georgia
the county agent is acting as Or
ganizer and hence expenses are re-
duced to a minimum while in some
states paid organizers are employed
to do the job.
Probably the most important work
that lies before the Georgia Farm
Bureau federation today is the edu-
cation of the people to the needs
and opportunities for such an or
ganization and the training of farm
bureau leaders.