The Carlisle independent., 1921-02-10
FARMERS ASSOCIATIONS TO PRACTICE DIvERsIFICATION

|, Farmers in several communities of southwest Arkansas are solving their farming problems by forming local organizations for the growing of more diversified crops such as canta- : loupes, watermelons, sweet potatoes, and hogs. During the latter half of January meetings of farmers for forming organizations were held at Magnolia, Waldo, Texarkana and | McNeil.
 i At Magnolia 30 farmers met and formed an association for the produc- tion of cantaloupes, watermelons, sweet potatoes and hogs. A definite acreage was pledged to each crop and each member contracted with the association to grow and market a definite number of hogs during the coming year. This association ex- poets to plant at least 100 acres to cantaloupes, 200 acres to sweet pota- toes, 40 acres to watermelons and to raise at least 200 head of hogs for market this year. A large sweet po- tato curing plant will be built in time to house the crop for this year.
 Officers of the association were elected and J. F. Heath is president and J. M. Talley secretary. An orga- nization committee composed of w. E. Bennett and J. F. Burton was ap- pointed to canvass the entire commu- nity to secure contracts for acreage for those crops. The farmers were assisted in the work of organization by County Agent Chas. A. Overstreet of Columbia county and w. H. Laney assistant agent in marketing of the l Agricultural Extension Division, Un- iversity of Arkansas.
 A like meeting was held at Waldo where an organization was formed with w. M. Hosier as president and Sam Mckinley secretary. A con- tract was adopted for the production and marketing of sweet potatoes, cantaloupes and radishes. A com mittee was appointed to secure con- tracts for acreage of these three crops and arrangements were made for a definite plan of building pack ing sheds for cantaloupes and curing fhouses for the sweet potatoes.
 Although Miller county does not have county farm agent this year the farmers of the community around Texarkana held meeting and out lined plans for cantaloupe growers association under standard growers contract which is very similar to that used by organizations in California. A strong committee was selected to secure pledges for acreage under this standard agreement and a meeting was set for later date when a per manent organization will be formed in case pledges for at least 100 acres are secured
 At McNei a preliminary meeting was held by the farmers where steps were taken for the building of a sweet potato curing plant A meet ing was planned for later date when permanent sweet potato grow CTS association will be formed.
 All of these associations are com posed of members of the county farm bureaus only. Each association is a local unit of the farm bureau of the respective counties. In each county having a county farm agent this of ficial assists in the work of organi- zation and planning of the crops to be grown. A suggested constitution . for such associations, prepared by w H. Laney, assistant marketing agent of the Agricultural Extension Divi- sion, University of Arkansas, was submitted and adopted with altera- tions to accommodate the immediate needs of the local communities. :, C. A. Hutson was business visitol to Lonoke Wednesday.
 Fred Lilly was business visitor tc Lonoke Monday.
 T. J. Cullor was business visitor to Houston, Arkansas Friday. Misses Lillian Nelson and Marie Koch were Lonoke visitors Saturday l Mir. B. B. Roy was business visit r or to Stuttgart the first of the week
 Mrs. Clara Tapscott IS visiting hel sister, Mrs. B. D. Patterson at Bras. , field this week.
 Mrs. Harold Fitch is visiting few days this week with relatives 1T
 Stuttgart.
 A letter from Mrs. J. c. Welch an