The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-01-16
TWO NO. DAKOTANS
TO Be H0NORED AS
MASTER FARMERS
University Of Minnesota to Be
Host Of Gathering to Con-
fer Distinction

Seven farmers from Minnesota. two
from North Doakta, and one from
South Dakota, at q banquet at Uni
versity Farm, st. Paul, next Monday
night, January 20. will be "decorated''
as Northwestern master farmers.
The banquet will be given by The
Farmer, and Farm, Stock & Home, in
cooperation with the department Of
agriculture of the University Of Min
nesota, the two institutions which
check the qualifications Of farmers
nominated for the master farmer
medal each year by their neighbors.
It will be one Of the outstanding
FEATURES of Farmers and Homemak-
ers' week, the greatest Of all the many
short courses held every year at Uni
versity Farm, and will continue the
evening program Of the week. Per-
sons attending the course will be adj
mitted to the banquet by ticket, so
long as seats in the dining hall are
available.
The honors conferred on the ten
men will be in recognition Of their
efficiency as farmers, heads Of fam
lilies, and citizens.
The North Dakota farmers In this
group, the fourth in the history of the
movement in the Northwest, follow:
Hans Georgesen, Niagara, Grand
Forks county. Lumberjack and farm
hand from age II to ~. Now 1t "a
owner of three farms of 2,4S0 acres.
Wheat, flax, and rye his chief crops,
but balanced with beef cattle and
hogs. Rotates crops to maintain fer
Utility and control weeds. Dockage
separated from grain on the farm and
fed to livestock. Farms characterized
by l~abor-saving equipment. Two sons
have received higher education. An
outstanding community leader.
William Watt, Leonard, Cass coun-
ty. Homesteaded his first 160 acres
in 1895. Today has q well improved
farm Of $50 acres. A pioneer In d.
versified farming. More than half
his income from cattle and hogs.
Grows corn and alfalfa. Five chill
dren, all we'll educated. Daughter q
teachers college graduate; two sons
graduates of North Dakota school of
agriculture: one son q student in
North Dakota agricultural college and
a fourth son farming.
Commenting on the 1929-30 class,
The Farmer, in its January Is issue,
will say:
1.-THE average value per farm Of
livestock kept by these ten master
farmers Is about $4,700. In addition
to work horses, these farms keep an
average of 81 head Of breeding cattle
and about II brood sows per farm.
Although sheep are increasing In
number each year on Northwestern
farms, it just happens that only one
farmer in this group is keeping
sheep, and he only on a small scale
Livestock has an important influence
upon maintenance of soil fertility and
control Of weeds, especially wher
combined with a system of crop rota-
ton which includes the production Of
legumes such as the various clovers
and alfalfa. About 20 per cent of the
crop land Of these master farmers Is
sown to legumes. On the average
northwestern farm, not more than 10
per cent Of the crop acreage is de-
voted to these soil building crops.
Averaging them altogether, how
ever, the average value Of real estate
per farm Of the ten Northwestern
master farmers is $33,500: the average
value of livestock per farm, $4,000;
and the average value of machinery
and CONTINENT: ncr farm. ~ l00. max.
ing a total capitalization per farm Of
about $4,000.
After farming an average Of 26
years, these master farmers have
gained an average net worth Of about
$4,000. OF this amount only $4,700,
On the average. was acquired before
starting farming or was inherited