Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1922-12-29
PROPER FIELD FOR COOP
GRAFTON AMONG FARMERS
BY DR.. W. l. Wanlass, Dean Of tho
School of Commerce and BusI-
mesa Administration Utah
Agricultural Goilegs

tween N0 tuiuSb Luey BnOulQ ana
could not and should not attempt to
do. This does not mean that all
groups should attempt to do the same
things. Much depends upon the gen
eral situation What Is the principal
object to be attained through COOP
Grafton? What is to be the size of
che organization? What commodity
or commodities are to be grown or
handled? What will be the probable
volumef
Upon tho answers to those and
similar questions the scope or activi-
tes Of the cooperative enterprise
should be determined But through
It all this fundamental principle must
be kept in mind: Successful coopera-
ton, Ike charity, must begin at home.
1t is futile for any group of farmers
TO think of reaching away out to per
fo.m the complex functions of mar
keting or distribution until they have
learned to do we'll the things that are
close at hand. Failure to recognize
this important principal has been the
rock upon which many well-inten-
toned enterprise has founered. AS
one studies the history Of our most
successful cooperative organizations
he finds that nearly all of them have
had to back up for second start
simply because they did not at first
recognize their own limitations. Ma
tHrally, the lesson Is learned at ter
rife cost. Most organizations are so
injured by the shock that they do not
kave the power to start anew.
What then. are some of the things |
that group Of farmers can do in a
cooperative way with reasonable hope |
of success7 If 1t is a marketing or
ganization, one OF the easiest and at |
the same time one of the most i'm |
portant things such group can do is |
TO determine with great care just
what commodity or commodities can
be most successfully produced. There
are many factors to be considered.
Soil and climatic conditions, distance
TO market, methods OF reaching the
market, the particular variety or type
that is In greatest demand-these and
many other items must be carefully
weighed and examined. The writer
mas In mind one locality which set
ont comparatively to gain It's economic
salvation by growing Strawberries for
rather distant markets. After much
expenditure OF effort thev discovered
Al. orfc Wy Nf harry |
selected and planted though lovely to
look upon, would hardly stand ship
ping across the street Necessarily,
their salvation was considerably de-
layed Il not seriously jeopardized-
Other localities that have studied
these matters with great care have
built UP regulations which are worth C
millions OF dollars. There is much e
to be accomplished in this direction. Il
Very rarely are markets glutted with T
superior products that have attained h
q market reputation.
Another marketing function closely
related to the one already described
which farmers working comparatively t
can perform better and cheaper than [
anyone else is that of grading and
packing products for market Here j.
again the opportunities for Improve
n.ent are great. Few indeed are the l
enterprises that have
realized their full possibilities in this
direction. Everywhere consumers are !
more and more demanding commodf- ;
ties that are uniform and dependable
throughout To meet this demand h
and market agencies are VIII I
Ing to pay premium for products OF h
this class. Here is the producers op- 8
portunity.
To do these two things thoroughly I
aud we'll Is an adequate program for I
any now cooperative enterprise no
matter how ambitious it may be.
Steps beyond this in the marketing
process should be left TO other agen- u
lies which, by reason of experience =
and specialization, are much better !.
lifted To do the work than new or !,
.anization OF farmers can possibly De. =
With a local group, actively coop {
Grating to do the things they are so a
fitted to do, properly con r
iected ND with n dependable cistrlDu- I
I've agency, we have an almost ideal
marketing arrangement Generally
ais should be the permanent ar
'angement. IL may be, however that o
Is the local organization gains eA' 5,
,erience and is able 70 acquire err b
tent mana cement it may with profit "a
each OFT and perform other ipne' r
Ions tilat are more stffcuy q par' b
4 Tho msr1lsting process, 3nis y y
PARTICULARLY true stlere the yoiu~s OF q
business handled Is large con
ldosable numbef Of our most sue
'esefu cooperative enterprise nf'ef
most hunlble beNnppg have sffa =
~" is.....a fl,..is naoua until fHay u