The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1922-12-29
PROPER FIELD FOR COOP
GRAFTON AMONG FARMERS
BY Or. w. 1. Waniass, Dean Of the
School Of Commerce and eusi-
ness Administration Utah
Agricultural College

nave btNduSc wv l..
did not differentiate be- u
tween the things they should and
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 .
eration2 What Is to be the size of
the organization? what commodity
or commodities are to be grown or
handled7 What win be the probable
volumel
Upon the answers to those and
similar questions the scope or activi-
ties tf the cooperative enterprise
should be determined. But through
1t all tais fundamental principle must
be keIt in mind: successful coopera-
ton. Ike charity, must begin at home.
II is futile for any group Of farmers
to think OF reaching away out to per
form the complex functions of mar
keting or distribution until they have
learned do well the things that are
close at hand. Failure to recognize
this important principal has been the
rock upon which many a weli-.nten-
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 a second start
simply because they did not at first
recognize their own limitations. Ma
turally, the lesson is learned at ter
rife cost. Most organizations are so
injured by the shock that they do not
have the power to start anew.
| What then, are some of the things
that group of farmers can do in
cooperative way with reasonable hope
of success2 If it is 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
he 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 anr
many other items must be CAREFUL,
weighed and examined. The wrte
has in mind one locality which Sc
ont comparatively to gain its economic
salvation by growing strawberries TO
rather distant markets. After mucl
expenditure Of effort they discovers
that the particular variety Of berr
selected and planted though lovely I
look upon, would hardly stand shiI
ping across the street Necessaril,
their salvation was considerably Dc
layed If not seriously jeopardized.
II Other localities that have studio
these matters with great care hay
built up regulations which are wort
millions of dollars. There Ia muc
to be accomplished in this direction
Very rarely are markets glutted wit
superior products that have attaine
a market reputation.
huOtltT tphteAoh N'o'S
related to the one already describe
which farmers working cooperative
can perform better and cheaper tina
anyone else is that of grading ar
hacking products for market. He
again the opportunities for. improv
ment are great. Few indeed are Il
cooperative enterprises that ha'
realized their full possibilities in tn
direction. Everywhere consumers a
more and more demanding c0mmo'
ties that are un' form and dependah
throughout. To meet this demal
markets and market agencies are wi
ing to pay premium for products
this class. Here Is the producers {
portunity.
To do these two things thorough
and well Is an adequate program
any now cooperative enterprise
! matter how ambitious 1t may
! Steps beyond this in the markell
process should be left to other ag
cies which, by reason Of exporter
and specialization. are much bet
fitted to do the work than new
ganizaticn Of farmers can possibly
With a local group. actively co
Grating to do the things thew are
prominently fitted to do, properly c
~. nected up with dependable cistri
,yssl tive agency, we have an almost Id
II marketing arrangement Genera
. this should be the permanent
: rangement. It may be. however,
. As the local organization gains
. perience and Is able to acquire Z
/ cient management II may with pr
reach ont and perform other I,
n tions that are more strictly q I
Il Of the marketing process. This
\ particularly true where the voium'
= business handled II large. A
siderable number OF our most
cssaful cooperative enterprises, a
a most humble beginning, have r
ually widened their scope until
now cover practically the entire
3. lance from producer to consul
- Most frequently this Is Accompl's
by number OF local organization
district celebrating themselves