The Colorado statesman., 1922-01-14

(Prepared by the united States
of Agriculture.)
A new plan for the reorganization
of the extension office of the United
States Department of Agriculture was
explained by c. w. Pugsley, assistant
secretary Of agriculture, In an address
before the annual convention Of the
Association of Land-Grant Colleges at
New Orleans. The plan Is a depart
ure from the organization heretofore
existing. The extension offices of the
North and South were combined on
October 1 by order of the secretary of
agriculture, but the details were not
announced until they were gone over
and agreed to by the Association Of
Land-Grant Colleges. The new plan
will permit the development of an ex-
tension program with the farm family
as the unit. The old organization In
the North had but three administra-
tive divisions of extension work-one
for men, another for women, and "A
third for boys and girls. In the south
ern division two administrative lines
were followed-one for men and boys
and another for women and girls.
Must Have a Goal In Sight.
"The new organization permits ex-
tension workers TO focus their atten-
ton more effectively upon an agricul-
tural program" said Mr.. Pugsley. 1T
is necessary to have a goal In sight
when we are engaged in an important
piece of work If we expect to get the
best results. So far as extension work
Is concerned, that goal should be a
carefully worked-out program of rural
progress. 1t should cover all phases
of rural life.
'The logical way to work out such
a program in county is to have meet
ings of farm bureaus or other Or
ganizations composed of both men and
women for the discussion Of needs OF
all phases of rural life. A balanced
extension program will be the result.
1.-THE responsibility for making a
balanced county program does not end
with the county meeting, however.
The state has a responsibility. Its leg
islature has appropriated money and
placed officers In charge of its expendi-
lures. Many states have written into
their laws the purposes for which the
appropriations can or can not be used.
1t Is the duty of the state officers to
go over the projects of work from the
standpoint Of state agricultural pro-
gram. Some of these days each col
lege of agriculture will have in its en-
ploy some individual who will give
special attention to working out
unified program of agricultural prog
ress for the state, and who will assist
the counties in making their programs
d part of the harmonious whole.
Must Maintain Balanced Agriculture.
''In a society organized as ours, the
final responsibility for an agricultural
program cannot rest with each state.
The federal government has respon-
sibility In the matter. This Is recog-
nized by the appropriation of the
Smith-Lever and other extension
funds, amounting now to about Sc, $780,
600. The Department Of Agriculture
is the national agency charged with
the supervision of this vast and con-
stantly increasing fund. 1t has the
same responsibility toward the state
that the state has toward the county
"It should furnish the best informa-
tion available on world conditions and
should outline In broad and general
way a national agricultural program.
1t should look over the projects with
the national program In mind, just as
the state looks them over with the
state programs in mind. Otherwise 1t
will be very easy to develop an un-
balanced agriculture, from which the
entire nation will suffer. We have
some evidence today that nation
does suffer from an unbalanced agri-
cultural system.
"In short, the responsibility of the
national government is to see that the
federal funds are properly spent and
are accomplishing the purposes for
which they were intended, rather than
to dictate the details of the method of
expenditure.
Moro Home Economics Work.
"a unified extension program means
more extension work among the wom-
en- and girls. The plan of work which
has been In vogue In most of the states
has worked to the disadvantage of
extension activities in home problems.
When the work Is divided along the
lines of sex aud age, as Il has been
dlring the past, that work which Is
most likely to increase the farmers
income will receive the most attention.
The home and social features of pro-
gram of rural progress are sure to be
at Il disadvantage under such a plan.
an most stntpS there are now couQ-