The Hartford herald., 1922-12-13
COUNTY AGENT INsP|RA-
IIdA FOR M'LEkM
Boys and Girls Club Camp One
OF High Marks Of Ford's
Work.
(BY RALPH COGHLAN)


year ago r. II. Ford strode into Nc
Lean county courthouse to apply for
that most important position-coun-
ty agent. He got it. The work of a
county agent is such that its result
cannot be tabulated. Therefore it
need only be said that you can't go
far in Mclean county without learn
ing that young Mr.. Ford has won
definite place in the hearts and in the
esteem of the citizens of the county.
He brought to his work fund of
native enthusiasm and electric ener-
gy. Those two, qualities were sup
plemented by thorough knowledge
of agriculture and a/des,re to win
the confidence of the community.
Perhaps the most outstanding thing
in Mr.. Fords personality is willing
ness to work.
After year in this work." hs
was asked, do you find that many
of the farmers come to see your"
mo-" he replied. t'I go out to see
theni."
So much of Mr.. Ford's time has
been spent travelling from place to
place throughout the county that he
is rarely at his office in Calhoun.
They tell this story in Mclean
county. A farmer on the way to Cal
houn stopped another who had just
come from there.
Have you seen Ford?" asked the
first man.
why do you ask me?" demanded
the second. I've just come from
Calhoun"
Mr.. Ford's conception of the du-
ties of a county agent is broader than
merely to teach modern agricultural
methods. He believes the county
agent should inject himself into the
life of the community and then. be
come leader in all things that min
lister to it's good. In rural districts,
one of the most important things is
to get the community to work to-
gether, to play together and to think
along the same lines.
Accordingly, Mr.. Ford believes
that at least one-third of a county
agents time should be spent in club
work. 1t is in this direction that he
has concentrated with notable sue
cess.
The county is still talking about
a boys and girls club camp that was
held OF Oak Grove in August under
Mr.. Ford's direction and backed by
such men as A l.. Moseley, Walter
Scott and Alec Quirk. 1t was the
first thing of its kind ever held here
and was such a great source of proc-
it and enjoyment that the county will
never forget it.
Mr.. Ford ascribes credit for the
camp to "the most whole-hearted and
generous cooperation | have ever
The county fgurative,y
arose as one person to help. Labor,
horses, time and money We're given |
freely and spontaneously.
A Blue Ribbon Affair
or the camp itself, it was said by
c. w. Buckler, chieftan of such
work for the State. that prizes
aren't given for the best camp in the
State. If they were think Mclean
would get the blue ribbon"
One hundred and ten Mclean boys
end & rls out of a total club mem
bership of 210, and seventy-six Muh-
youngsters attended The
camp. Extensive programs were ar
ranged, which kept everything hum
ming from reve-lle to taps.
The morning was devoted to lee
lures and classes on various subjects, 4
such as table-setting and table man
ners. nature study and da'ry.ng. The
afternoon was given over to games
and athletics and best of all We're the
evenings around a huge campfire
when songs We're sung and talks
were made. Through fortunate
DR.. w. ID. Funkhauser,
head of the zoology department of
the University of Kentucky. attend
ed the camp, and, because of his
winning personality and interest
ing talks, has carved a high place
for himself in the minds of Mclean
boys and girls.
The camp was the elimination
and the gh point of Mr.. Ford ,
year of club work. 1t Is difficult,
perhaps, for city people to ander-
stand how vital good clubs, both