The Coconino sun., 1921-09-16
THE FARMS AND THE RANGES
 Edited by Francis A. Chisholm, County Agricultural Agent
RELATION OF THE COUNTY AGENT TO
 THE PEOPLE

The county agricultural agent is g public official whose business it is tc make available in practical form the knowledge of agricultural science as developed by the state experiment sta. tions, the U. s. Department of Ag' riculture, and the results of the best farm practice. He is expected to show by demonstrations in the field, publi- cations, and otherwise the application of such knowledge to local farm con ditions.
 The advantages of improved farm practices as demonstrated on the most successful farms in the county where the agent is employed are called to the attention of the farmers in his terri tory. With these demonstrations be- fore them, individual farmers are able to determine intelligently the extent to which they will apply the lessons of the demonstrations conducted by the agent.
 The county agent is an officer of the state college of agriculture and the U. s. Department of Agriculture, He may also be employed in co-opera- tion with the county government or the county farmers organization con tributing to his support and aiding in his work. He is not, however, ex- pected to act as the business agent of the individual farmer or of groups of farmers in carrying on commercial transactions. He is not in any sense a hired man, operating the farmers own farm enterprises.
 The subjects on which the county agent gives demonstrations or advice are as varied as the needs of the farm population of his county. It is his duty to demonstrate the application of agricultural science to soil manage ment and building, to the control of plant diseases and insect pests, to the introduction of better varieties of farm crops, and to improvement in methods of feeding, breeding and care of farm animals. The economic man. agement of the farm as whole to yield the largest net returns, the study of systems of farm supplies comparatively and otherwise, are broader phases of his diversified work.
 As a cooperative employe of the United States Department of Agricul- tare, the state agricultural college and the county, the county agents first duty is to inform himself as to how he can intelligently serve all the people of his county. He must get a general idea of conditions, of the local system of farming, the kind of people he is to work with, and knowledge of soil conditions. He must meet with representative farmers of the county and with them formulate a definite plan of work in regard to their more urgent problems.
 As he must endeavor to reach as many of the people as possible, and help them raise the average standard of farm practices, there must be a number of concrete demonstrations well scattered over the county from which definite reports of results can be secured. The county agents strength of leadership is demonstrated by his ability to perform his duties without drifting into superficial work; to maintain a well balanced program; to distinguish between essentials and nonessentials under existing conditions; to get people to help themselves and to cooperate with them in such way as to secure their assistance and to assist them in making and carrying out the general program.
 While the county agents pcsitior and duties make him the leader in ag- ricultural subjects, he cannot fairly be expected to be an expert on all az ricultural subjects. He should have a sufficient general knowledge to ad- wise on the leading questions, and he should know on what specialist to call on technical or difficult problems that may arise.
 Those in charge of cooperative ex- tension work, both in the U. s. De- partment of Agriculture and the agri- cultural colleges, believe that the agents should assist the farmers of the county with every problem con- nected with their business, from the preparation of the soil to the market ing of his products. It is natural for the farmers to look to the agent as the agricultural adviser and leader in marketing as we'll as production and to expect him to give them informa- tion on questions of harvesting, grad ing and packing. For the past two years the marketing problem has been the most vital one to all branches of agriculture. It is believed that it is legitimate and proper for the agent to encourage cooperative marketing, to obtain information as to what prod ucts should be worth, where the best markets may be found, and how these markets may be reached at the least expense to the producer.
 It would not be. proper for the coun- ty agent personally to engage in the buying and selling of the farmers products, to handle funds in the trans action, or to hold any office in market ing or other farmers organizations; but there should be no question of his right to furnish the very best informa- ton and to encourage in every way possible the farmers who do these things for themselves through some hv oiu acc mana Opr Or c0-0npratlVe aS-