Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1938-12-31
State College Professor
Named to Wallace's Staff


riculturaI economies at Montana State
college for the last IL years, Prof.
Elmer A. Starch has been named by
Henry A. Wallace, secretary Of agri-
culture, as co-ordinator of programs
for the United States department Of
agriculture, the appointment becoming
effective Jan. /.
Professor Starch, who now directs
the economic department at the col
lege, will be succeeded by DR.. r. r.
Renne, DR.. A. L. Strand, president,
said in announcing the resignation
Of Starch.
In his new work as co-ordinator,
Professor Starch will work closely with
regional directors Of the AAA, farm
security administration, bureau of ag-
ricultural economics, soil conservation
service, biological survey and forest
service, all Of which have programs
under way in the northern great
plains. He will also work with officials
Of state agencies concerned with land
and water use, particularly the state
colleges.
It viii be his job to coordinate the
several programs of the department Of
agriculture and harmonic these with
the agricultural programs of the sew
eral state colleges and other state and
federal agencies IN Montana North
Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska and
Wyoming.
Calls Himself Farmer
For the time being Professor Starch
will make his headquarters In Boze-
man and later will move them to Lin
coin, Neb.
Preferring to call himself a farmer
rather than an educator, Professor
Starch came to Montana State college
in 1926 after receiving his bachelors
degree at the University Of Minnesota.
His farming experience includes run
ming a dairy farm in Minnesota, a
wheat farm In North Dakota and
sheep and wheat ranch in Montana.
When Professor Starch came to
Montana State college he was assist
ant TO M. L. Wilson, then head Of ag-
ricultural economies, but now under
secretary of agriculture. Starch was
promoted to assistant professor Sept.
/, 1929, to associate professor on Sept.
l, 1881, and took charge of the depart
ment in July, 1888, when Wilson was
given leave.
AS a co-worker Of Secretary Wilson,
Starch aided in the development Of
the original AAA program. Working
with j. G. Taylor Montana extension
service director, Starch assisted in de-
yeloping the first educational program.
Leader In Research
In agricultural economics Starch has
led the field In starting researches |
that formed the background for re-
construction and rehabilitation of
farms and farm operators in the great
plains area that are now in progress, |
DR.. Strand said. These studies were
started by Starch in 1926 in pre-duSt /
bowl times, before the full implications
of conservation we're realized.
Because of his outstanding work in
the field of agricultural economics,
Starch has been called q number of (
times to assist in work of nationwide |
scope. In 1888 Henry Morgenthau Jr
then governor of the farm credit ad-
called him to. serve on
the national committee for land valu
alton and appraisal procedure. The
next year Starch filled a part-time
assignment with the land policy come
mittee of the department of agricul-
ture. In 1885 he was on the national
committee for the agricultural census
and late the same year he was requt-
to serve as regional director
for farm security with headquarters at
Denver. He served until April /, 1887.
In DrOuth Program
While in the Denver office he also
served as consultant for President
great plains committee and
when he returned to Montana State
college in 1887 he was a member OF
the committee to coordinate drouth
activities for Montana. Since then he
has served as consultant for the office
Of co-ordinator which he will direct
for the northern great plains after
Jan. l.
Starch took part of his advanced
study at the University Of Minnesota.
Before his term with the FCA he
took advanced work at Harvard uni
under a national research coun-
Gil fellowship, while on leave from
Montana State college. Called upon
frequently to appear as speaker at
leading educational institutions, Starch
this year was invited to Harvard to
q seminar on agricultural
policy. He was one Of four men Har-
ward selected within the United States
and Europe.