The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1942-07-23
n. C.. Farmers AT War

stood and marked the shots heard round
the world, but on the home fronts, North
Carolina farmers are literally firing shots
in food production that reverbrated
throughout the world.
The annual report of the N. c. Agri-
cultural Extension Service, just issued, is
encouraging proof that the farmers of this
state are cooperating in the production of
food which will add up to the ultimate de-
feat of Hirohito and Hitler. In addition to
the fact that practically every farm family
in North Carolina cooperated in the Food
for Freedom drive, the report reveals true
progress among the rural people in organi-
zation, leadership, better homes and farms
and improved farming practices
The 1941 agricultural year was a prof
liable one for most N. c. farmers The u.
S. Department of Agriculture shows cash
income from all crops and livestock, in
Guiding government payments, of $685.,
$4,000. The cash income in 1910 was $780,
$4,000. The income from livestock alone
arose from $36,684,OOO in 1910 to $48, 1872
600 in 1941. There were $4,000 more cat
tie including 10000 more milk COWS on
North Carolina farms, than at the close of
1910. And the average yield of most i'm
portant farm crops showed an increase per
acre over the 1O-year level
North Carolina hens really did some
thing to crow about In 1871 there was
total of 1,731,0OO chickens over the previ-
Gus year, and of this amount there were
$4,000 laying hens and pullets reported.
They produced FOB million eggs, or an av-
erage of 1923 eggs per bird. This is the
highest average annual production per lay
ing chicken in the history of the State.
Better poultry flocks, better feeding and
care must be given credit for much of this
gain.
More N. G. farmers participated in the
1941 AAA program than ever before Of
the $4,000 eligible farming units in the
State, 213, O45 took part in the various AAA
programs earning an estimated $14,287, 267
in conservation payments and $7,1O0,000
in parity payments. Approximately 21O,-
600 acres of cropland were seeded to winter
legumes and more than one million acres
to other legumes and grasses. Other prac-
tees carried out by farmers to earn their
sCil-building payments included the ap-
plication of 275,OOO tons of limestone on
pastures and cropland, and $4,000 tons of
superphosphate on pastures, legumes and
grasses.
These are only of the facts contained
in the report of the Extension Division
showing how, with it's assistance and CO.
operation, rural North Carolina is going
forward and is doing a real home-front
war job.
But this is only part of the story,
which deals more with people than mere
production facts. The effort of the Exten-
sion Division is based on the idea that if
rural people are supplied with tools and
the ideas to make them more happy and
contented on the land, they have greater
love for democracy and our way of life.
That is why the Extension Division spon-
sors All clubs, home demonstration clubs,
neighborhood leaders, field demonstrations,
new methods of farming and better equip
ped rural homes. People come first.
Last year the 1860 home demonstra-
ton clubs of N c. had membership of
1882 women. This is an average of 800
clubs and 2,14O over the previous year.
There were 1886 4-H clubs with total of
54,1O7 young people enrolled. This also
shows an increase, and by far larger
number of the boys and girls completed
their projects. Not only was the youth
given valuable training and assistance
through these clubs, but youth went earn
estly to work and earned money for him
self
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