Putnam patriot. [volume] (Putnam, Conn.) 1872-1962, 1929-09-05
Digest of Reports of Connect.
cut Agricultural Policy
Conference
Every Day Questions Discussed by
Men and Women

The Connecticut Agricultural Poll
cy Conference sponsored by the Conn
ectieut Agricultural College, and de-
voted 20 an appraisal of problems
affecting the net incomes of Connec-
tcut farmers, terminated its three
day session at Storrs, Saturday after
noon, August 10.
The conference was composed of
men and women designated as repre-
sentatives by the State Grange, the
Farm Bureau Federation. the Farm
ers' Cooperative Associations, the
County Farm Bureaus, the State
Agricultural Societies. ether farmers
organizations, and by the Connect
cut Agricultural College, the Conn
eetieut Agricultural Experiment Sta
ton and the office of the State Com
missioner of Agriculture. DIR. Henry
{. Taylor of the Comprehensive Sur
vey of Rural Vermont, DIR. @. E.
Baker, DIR. Whitney Coombs and Mr..
Tolley of the U. S. Department of
Agriculture, and DR.. c. +. Ladd. Di-
rector OF the Agricultural Extension
Service of the State of New York,
assisted in the de iberations of the
conference. One hundred and fifty
persons were present and about seven
" persons participated in the work
of the committees on the final day
and were present at adjournment. In
committee reports approved by the
conference, conclusions were reached
as to the leading problems confront
ing the dairy, poultry, fruit, vege-
table, tobacco and the potato interests
of the state, and as TO policies in
land utilization, farm management
and education.
Farm Management and Land Utili-
zation
The conference recommended the
segregation o. lands suited for agri-
cultural use from those suited for
other uses. 1t was further recommend
ed, as a first step in the development
of a state land policy, that . state
wide soil survey be inaugurated. The
conference went on record as support
ing the states policy Of purchasing
non-agrieultural land fer state for
ests. In several of the committee re-
ports accepted by the conference the
need for low cost production of high
quality farm products adapted 70
northeastern market requirements
was stressed. In planning production
policy it was agreed that farm ac-
counting and the use of farm accounts
would materially increase the net in
come of a great many Connecticut
farmers.
Education
f Emphasis was placed on the import.
ance Of determining the education
needs of different groups and the de.
STABILITY Of cocrdinating the effort.
of such agencies as have TO do witt
teaching and research bearing OF
+ farming and country life.
The conference went on record il
favor Of provision being made fol
education in matters CT public policy
affecting agriculture, such as taxation
roads, reforestation and the inadvis
ability Of expanding the country.
farm land areas by reclamation pro
jects
The conference took the position
that il is the function Of farmers
commodity organization and not OF
public educational agencies, to edu
cate the consumer in the use of tn,
several farm products, except as suci
education may pertain TO public pol
icy such as health. police service, etc
Research
The reports of the committees
stressed the need for more research
I particularly with relation to diseas,
and pest control, and with relation e
economic problems, and the need foi
more complete and accurate infor
nation on acreage and yields anf
other factors Of supply and demand
Other recommendation included
% reorganization and standard
lzaticn Of the public city markets
/ (2l rapid Improvement of rura
roads, 90 more and better informa
i ton on crcp prospects and market
conditions, and (4) disease and pes
control.
Taxation
The problem Of taxation as il AZ
fects the net income Of the farmer re
/ eeived serious consideration. Tn,
I opinion prevail ed that farm Leaders
are not sufficiently informed regard
ing the facts Of the situation tc make
possible an immediate appraisal 81
/ the problem. Provision was made foI
the appointment Of a special commit