Evening star., 1934-04-29

and president of the regional group
of chapters. Later he became vice.
president Of the New York State
Branch of the Future Farmers Of
America. Concerning him, the local
school official writes, Dane is not
brilliant student, but hard worker.
He Is one of the most trustworthy and
dependable boys In our entire depart
ment, numbering As vocational pupils.
It has been a pleasure to work with
him and to watch this young man
grow in management and workman
ship ability"
Future Farmers Activities.
As phase of the newer methods Of
teaching, special emphasis should be
placed on the activities Of the local
and State chapters Of the Future
Farmers of America. This is ma
tional organization of young men
preparing to farm. At present there
are 180 local chapters in New York,
enrolling more than 1000 active
members. This is distinctively
boys activity, local teachers serving
primarily as counselors. The aim of
the organization is ito provide train
ing in planning and working to-
gether."
Regular meetings are held. at which
educational programs, cooperative
business activities and recreational
activities are prominent features. Each
year, in connection with the State
Fair at Syracuse in September and at
the farmers week at Cornell Univer-
sity in February, a State congress is
held. Competitions in public speaking,
judging live stock, poultry, crops and
fruit, and the Identification of disease
and insect injuries are features of the
program. Perhaps the greatest value
Of this rapidly expanding activity
among young men is the opportunity
for learning the vital lessons Of lead
ership and fellowship and how to put
the common good above a personal
gain.
Farming has become complex and
highly commercialized business. The
production of milk has doubled in the
last so years, even though the num-
ber of COWS has remained about the
same. Each generation of American
farmers has produced more per man
than the previous generation. Indeed,
the modern farmer produces two and
a half to three times as much as his
grandfather. The coming of improved
equipment and power machinery, the
new knowledge of science underlying
agriculture and the improved methods
of management provide real chal-
lenge to the young man who expects
to equip himself for farming.
Learning to do by doing Is simple
yet far-reaching axiom in education.
In learning to be a good business
manager in farming one should actu-
ally manage farming enterprises. He
should practice making decisions un-
der real and normal life conditions.
With the present narrow margin Of
profit in farming, if one tries to learn
such decisions by himself, after en-
gaging in the business, mistakes in
Judgment are not only costly but
often mean the loss of an entire busi-
ness equity.
Number of Farmers Increasing.
Last July the number Of persons on
farms in the United States was the
largest in our history. Tens of thou
sands of city persons, faced with the
hardships of unemployment, moved
to the country. National, State and
local agencies have rendered valuable
services to many persons Of this group
in order to safeguard both their well
fare and their investments. The ad-
justment services of the Federal Gov
eminent, the extension services from
the colleges of agriculture, and the
assistance from local directors and
teachers Of agriculture have been
helpful in assisting adults and heads
Of families in adapting themselves to
the new conditions of life on farms.
These combined agencies are doing
everything that Is humanity possible
to help in the emergency. We should
not overlook, however, the long time
educational program of our schools
and colleges, especially in reference to
career planning and specific prepara-
| ton for a vocation.