The Devils Lake world. (Devils Lake, N.D.) 1920-1982, 1922-10-04
| <lS> THE AMERICAN FARM
] EVNATVA BUREAU FEDERATION
VSS-%AV BY Kiwanian A. M. Challey
BY Kiwanian a. M. Challey

Probably no organization of farm
ers in the history of the United Stat
es has enjoyed the rapid growth and
has secured the support and cooper
alton of the public to the degree which
has been experienced by the Amer-
can Farm Bureau Federation. 1t has
grown from single community or
ganization to one which has a men,
bership of over a million and half
members in the short space Of ten
years.
The first Farm Bureau was organ
lied in Brocme county, New York. a
county which at that time was con-
spicuous because Of the number Of
abandoned farms to be seen there.
The farmers having moved to other
sections which seemed to offer better
opportunities. Along with abandon
ment Of farms came pooper business
III towns. and the Binghamton Cham
Der of Commerce was not slow to real
ize that that organization should de-
vote more attention to the welfare Of
rural sections. The Chamber appoint
ed q committee for the purpose Of
gaining information as to the needs
of that section. Representative Of
the New York State College of Agri-
culture and the New York State De-
partment of Agriculture were asked
to accompany the committee on this
trip.
Much useful information was gain
ed on this tour. The causes Of fail
ures in many instances We're pointed
out and in other cases methods were
observed which had brought success
and were worthy of adoption general
ly. After the committee had reported
its findings which We're thoroughly
discussed, an agricultural committee
was appointed in the Binghamton
Chamber of Commerce. Thru the ac-
ton of the committee an agricultural
agent was appointed to work among
the farmers Of the county and initiate
better farm practices. Leading farm
ers were appointed as community
leaders to assist the County Agricul-
tural Agent and soon the entire county
was organized into a number of COM
munity groups which were in turn af-
filiated with the county organization.
Harmony and the closest cooperation
resulted. So successful was the or
ganization in Broome county that it
was not long until other counties fol-
lowed the lead and formed similar or
CARNATIONS. The movement soon
spread to other states which resulted
in the organization of State Farm Blu
reaus and the American Farm Bureau
Federation.
Time has brought many new phases
of work and the establishment of
many new departments in the county,
state and national organizations which
now not only assist in the way of in
creasing production but in marketing,
lettering social conditions, securing
beneficial legislation, etc.
The stated objects of the American
Farm Bureau Federation are: ''to de-
velop, strengthen, and correlate the
work of the State Farm Bureau Fed
eratlons of the Nation; to encoura pc
and promote cooperation of all rep
resentative agricultural organizations
in every effort to improve facilities
and conditions for the economic pro.
auction, conservation, marketing
transportation, and distribution OF
farm products; to further the study
and enactment of constructive agri
cultural legislation; to advise will
representatives of the public agricul
tural institutions cooperating will
farm bureaus in the determination O.
nationwide policies, and to inform
farm bureau members regarding al
movements that affect their interests.
TIE program Of work falls under tn,
following subdivisions:
General
l. To develop completely unifie
national organization to act as spok
esman for the farmer and to adequate
iy represent the farmer and the farm
er's interests on all occasions.
Educational
l. 10 create in the urban mind
better conception Of the Farmers re
latlonship to other units in the socis
and economic structure.
2. To re-establish agriculture i
the public mind as the foremost ir
dustry, on which all others Deepen,
and, in the prosecution Of which ma
reaches his highest plane of develo,
ment.
3. To encourage and assist in tt
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES