The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1922-10-26
FARM BUREAU
WORK REVIEWED
Every Farmer and Citizen Of County
Should Be Interested In County
Agent Work

County Agent work in Hand County
during the past two years and a half
has meant considerable to those who
have utilized the Office and taken in
terest in the numerous projects car
ried ON in different sections of the
county. A survey of a number of the
accomplishments OF the office and
agent may prove of interest to Hand
County citizens in order that they may
better Judge whether or not II is a
worthy work and well worth the
$2S50.00 being put into it by the
county.
More than enough to maintain the
Office for a five year period has been
saved Hand County farmers through
the organization of the Livestock Ship
ping Association. This has been
brought about largely through direct
shipping, saving in commissions and
the fact that a competitive market has
been afforded for twelve months of
the year and no only during the time
of market price increases.
1t is mainly through the activity of
your County Agent that Hand County
was one of four counties in the State
in which women were given the OPP
p~ortunity of carrying out an intensi-
fled clothing program in seven COM
munities this past year, in co-opera-
ton with the Extension Specialists
from the State College, and which has
resulted i'm twenty-five communities,
with $50 women enrolled, to carry on
a special Food and Nutrition series
for 1928.
Twenty-Five. demonstrations in
Cciopfi6c poulfrv Cullin1 haua haop
given by the Agent. A very great i'm
provement in the culled fiocks is no.
>ticeable. This work reached approx
mately 400 farm people.
The County Agent has been respon-
sihle largely for the bringing in of
kanred Winter Wheat which at the
present time promises to be a valuable
addition to Hand County's crop.
Also much credit is due the Agent
for the rapid increase in Alfalfa seed
ing. In 1920, this county was credited
with $500 acres of alfalfa. This has
now increased to 1000 acres. The
same thing may be said of Sweet
Clover.
Information and instruction has
been given on the keeping of farm
records. For two years, six men in
Hand County have co-operated with
the State College in keeping farm
cost account records.
Seven farms during the year have
been given a preliminary survey for
tile drainage in order that these farms
may be worked more economically.
Four Community Corn Shows have
been held which are resulting in very
noticeable Improvement in the corn in
these communities.
One Hundred Fifty Boys and Girls
have been enrolled in the canning,
sewing, crops and livestock clubs, Civ
ing valuable training to farm boys and
girls which is certain to prove of great
benefit to them. The four-day summer
camp at st. Lawrence attended by rs
young people proved a splendid sue
cess. The young people received
much valuable instruction and whole
scme recreation.
The County Mutual Fire Insurance
Association, promoted at the request
of a number of successful Hand Coun-
ty farmers, will be ready to function
shortly after the mex meeting of the
Legislature when Hand County will
be included in the TornaGo Insurance
area and wind storm protection car
be given along with the Fire Insur-
ance.
Much information given cannot be
recorded here. This concerns assist
ance in animal disease control, insect
pest control, etc. The Farm Bureau
picnics, during the past two years,
were promoted by the County Agent.
During the season of 1921. the Coun-
ty Agent office attended $50 Office
calls, 395 telephone calls relating to
farm business. supplied 81 farm lab
orers, mailed 2122 personal letters and
29,Sa7 circular letters, prepared 139
newspaper articles. visited 219 farms
travelling 6,931 miles in these visits,
121 meetings we're held with an at
tendance Of approximately 1857.
1t Is physically impossible for the
County Agent to directly reach every
farmer in the county in one, two or
ever five years. The fact that many
men do not even know him does not
indicate that they are not receiving
benefit from his Office. Those who
have used the Agent once, generally
always come back. The agitation
against the Office comes almost en-
tirely from those who have not tried
to profit from the Office OF made any
effort to get acquainted with the
agent or his work. Hand County
farmers should appreciate that the
County Agent is human and not a
super man. He is willing at all times
to give service. His office is the only
one In the county from which farmers
may receive help pertaining directly to
their business. Why should some
farmers be interested in doing away
with L.?
The cost is not excessive. Only &c
per quarter section. The average to-
tai taxes per quarter section amount
to $77.58. The sum OF &c taken from
this amount will not make a great
deal of difference in the total tax
paid. !