Evening star., 1939-08-04
Sees Widespread Need
For Soil Conservation
More instruction Urged
For Negro Formers
In Southern Stutes

rof negro FORMERS
In Southern Stutes
To the Editor Of The Star:
DR.. H. H. Bennett, chief Of the United
States Soil Conservation Service, stated
in his address Wednesday, July 10, at the
Kudzu jamboree held at Camp Hill, Ala
that "the problem of saving our soil is
great, but it is my conviction that the
inventive genius of the American people
will solve this problem, as 1t has done
Others"
The fulfllment of DR.. Benefits
prophecy regarding soil conservation will
be proportional to the intelligent appli-
cation of the principles and practices
advanced by soil scientists and conserva-
ton specialists on the part of all the
people who actually till the soil.
1t has been estimated by the United
States Soil Conservation Service that 81
per cent of all the erosion in the United
States is in the South. Scientific data
has revealed that among the basic causes
OF erosion in this section as we'll as else
where, are: Poor farming methods, topo-
graphical, chemical, physical, vegetative,
climatic and biological factors.
Taking the factor Of poor farming I'M
der consideration, as this is one of the
primary causes of soil waste, it is note
worthy that TO per cent Of the South's
Negro population is rural. The census
shows that in 1880 there was a total
Negro farm population in the United
States of 4,68O,523, with approximately
four and half million in the South All
of these persons should be intelligent
along the lines of soil conservation.
However, with due regard to other
considerations, 1t is notorious fact that
most of these Negro farmers have the
least access to adequate training and are
least conversant with the new methods
and developments in soil conservation
Is it not to be conceded that this lack
on the part of Negro farmers is decisive
factor in the matter of poor farming as
cause of soil erosion? - and should be
considered in any program of soil con-
servation?
The following are results of a survey
which I, In the capacity of professor of
soils at Tuskegee Institute, conducted
among 335 Negro agricultural workers in
IL Southern States. The objective of this
study was that of gaining some insight
into the extent of conservation knowl-
edge among Negro agricultural workers
in the South, whose activities affect all
farms where Negroes are used. This
survey ended in March, 1899. These are
the results gained from this study among
these 1876 vocational teachers of agricul-
ture, county agents, and teachers of
agriculture in land-grant colleges:
(a). Fiftyfour per cent have never
studied soil.
tb). Sixty-two per cent have had no
training in soil conservation.
(c). Three per cent stated they did not
need any conservation training.
Cd. Ninety-four per cent admitted
that farmers in their territory asked for
soil conservation information.
fe). Ninety-four per cent stated that
they believed conservationist's aid was
needed to help advance the national con-
servation program in their territory.
%. Eighty-two per cent indicated that
they were not getting adequate specialist
help in soil conservation.
tg), Seventy-seven per cent stated that
they were not receiving assistance in
their county from specialists in soil con-
servation, other than from the A. A. A.
f). Fifty-eight per cent stated that
they had not asked for any assistance.
The findings from this survey reveal
the startling fact that the very ones.
the agricultural instructors among Negro
farmers, who are expected to bear the
brunt of the work of leading the Negro
farmers in the program of soil conserva-
ton, as well as in other phases of agri-
cultural endeavor are themselves in
adequately prepared for carrying out
the conservation program.
This suggests that it is incumbent upon
the United States Soil Conservation
Service to see that an adequately trained
Negro personnel be secured to carry on
the all-important work of soil conser-
vatlon, If that particular phase of the
Governments agricultural program is to
be carried out along traditional lines.
From the above facts, it is evident
that there is an imperative need for
specific training in soil conservation
among Negro agricultural workers in the
South This is the only direct manner
in which the necessary training and
guidance can be transmitted to the
Negro farmer and farm worker.
1t is true that the conservation pro-
gram as applied by the Soil Conserva-
ton Service has made a commendable
approach to the problem of dissemi-
mating information and training among
the farmers in general in the South.
But the fact remains that the majority
OF Negro farmers and agricultural work.
ers are not receiving the full benefit
OF this service which Is possible through
the aid of Negro personnel, either
educational or technical.
The American Negro has always made
distinct contribution in national emer-
gencies. In this battle of soil erosion
control, he stands ready to answer to the
call of soil conservation.
In the other agricultural programs
sponsored by the Government, such as