Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1921-04-19
The County Agent.
South Paris, Me-, April 9, 1921.

dUttV OCuSOCy0ts
think there should be better under
standing, not only on the part OF tho
farmers OF this county, but BY tho gen.
eral public - to what County Agent
work 10 under the new plan. It ID OF
very great Importance to the farmers to
know whether this will mean greater or
less profits to them. The merchant
needs to keep In close touch with the
work for the same reason, and by oil
means the consumer should know
whether It will result In Q higher or
lower cost to him of farm products.
The following example illustrates how
little understood by some is the business
Of the County Agent: The other day
person In this county asked certain
business man in town what the County
Agents work really consisted of, and
this man replied that the County Agent
was q man hired by certain concerns
who had goods to sell, and his business
was to sell them to the farmer. This is
atrue illustration Of how little 10 known
about the work of the County Agent.
Perhaps Il would be Q good idea to
give here definition OF County Agent
which won . prize in North Carolina.
"A County Agent 10 farmer trained to
serve bis rural people as an apostle OF
the high ideals Of living, a. q teacher OF
the progressive principles Of the bust.
ness, the industry and the profession of
farming, and 40 promoter of whatever
will make for the welfare of the individ
uals, communities and state"
With the organization OF the Farm
Bureau, County Agent work in Oxford
County takes on new phase. Previous
ly 1t was for the agent to determine
what should be done and then to do II
as an individual dealing with individuals
as best he could. The thing Is exactly
reversed now, the farmers themselves.
through the Farm Bureau, draw up the
plan Of work and through the coopera.
tion OF the United States Department OF
Agriculture, the State College, and the
Farm Bureau, this plan 10 carried out.
The purpose of this work is to de-
crease the cost OF production by adopt
ing such methods as will give maximum
yields at minimum costs. The program
Of work 10 placed before local commu.
mites through meetings held for the
purpose of determining what shall be
done during the year in any particular
towns. The farmers select from the
program such things as they would like
TO have carried out. To illustrate, the
group might elect the account project
in which case those who cared to keep
farm accounts would make 1t known.
A local leader for the project would be
selected and arrangements would be
made for q meeting Of the particular
men who are interested to start farm
accounts.
In thirteen communities which have
Farm Bureau organizations, during the
month of March meetings were held to
determine the work which would be
done in this county this year. The re-
suit was that large number OF demon
strations of various kinds were arranged,
and several farm account groups, and
boys and girls clubs we're planned.
Under the new plan, the Farm Bureau
maintains In the Court House at South
Paris we'll equipped Office with facili.
ties for handling all sorts of matters for
the benefit of all farmers, whether or
not they are members OF the Farm Bu-
reau. And all organizations can call
upon the Office and the Farm Bureau for
any assistance whatever which may be
needed.
II there Is any Information relative to
any part of agriculture which any one in
this county desires to secure, the pur.
pose of the county agent is to supply
this; and be is hired TO serve no particu-
lar organization or group, but to serve
all organizations which stand for better
agriculture.
R.H. LovEJoY, County Agent.