Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1921-04-28

of serving the people of any county
in an unorganized way is too big for
any county agent, however energetic
and efficient. He cannot reach all the
people by personal visits and personal
service to individuals, so some means
must be devised by hich he can use
local leadership and reach his people
in groups. He must be able to en-
list the sympathy and assistance of
all the people of the county interested,
directly or indirectly, in the agricul
turaI development of the county. In
order, therefore, for county agent
to reach his maximum efficiency,
there must be organization.
Frankly, the Director Of Extension
in Mississippi and his leading co
workers were at first skeptical of the
farm bureau movement However,
having the good fortune to be in Chi
cago in November, 1919, when the
national organization was formed,
and being admitted uron the floor
and to take part in the fo' nation of
the constitution and bylaws of the
National Organization, the asst vestige
of sketpticism was removed. We
recognized in the movement the most
practical and far reaching organiza-
4in,, E., 60, -,
America. Radicalism was routed,
sanity and conservatism triumphed.
The controlling positions were filled
by men whose lives guaranteed eff
cheney and progress. The movement
was launched on the most practical
and business-like lines, and the ear
nestness and determination of the
body of men and women present in
sured the success which is already
being achieved.
We retZned from that meeting de-
termined that the people of Missis-
sippi should have the benefits of this
great organization. In order that we
might profit by both the success and
mistakes of these pioneer states here
organization was farthest advanced
and doing the most Two members of
the extension staff were authorized
in the summer of 1920 to visit several
of these states and observe their
taIl- lao- lan- ond
give US the benefits of their expert
ences.
When these men returned, and made
a full report, it was gone over care
fully, certain parts not applicable to
or practicable in Mississippi discard
ed, and out of it general plan was
drawn up and given to the people,
merely as suggestive plan. All
members of the extension staff were
instructed to study the plan care
fully in order to be able to assist the
people in organizing. However, we
will do SO only in an advisory way,
and a helpful way. No member of
the extension department holds now
or will ever hold a controlling posi-
ton in the farm bureau. No person,
any part of whose salary is paid by
the government, will be permitted to
hold controlling position in the farm
bureau, collect or solicit fees, or use
the government franking privilege
for farm bureau business, unless it
pertains strictly to the work of the
government for which the official
was employed by the government.
The business of the bureau is mahag
ed by a board of directors who are
private citizens, members of the or
ganization, and chosen by the men,
bership. In counties which have
farm demonstration agents, they are
usually made ex-officio members of
the board of directors, but act only in
an advisory capacity, having no vote
or absolute power.
How To Organize.
The movement for a farm bureau
should begin with the people them
selves. This should grow out of a
realization of the need of such an or
ganization. Some one or more pro-
gressive and aggressive citizens should
take sufficient interest and initiative
to acquaint the people with the aims
and benefits of the organization.
When sufficient interest has been
created, it is a good plan to call a
general mass meeting at the county
site, or some other convenient point