Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1952-02-02
Father OF Negro Agricultural
Extension Work Honored In Ceremony
Marking Site Of Appointment

W!dIkIMS OlW VI A|
The father of Negro agricultural
extension work, T. NJ Campbell,
field agent of the U. S. Depart
ment of Agriculture, was honored
last week at Tuskegee Institute
when a marker was placed at the
site. of his appointment as the
first colored farm demonstration
agent As years ago.
1t was significant recognition
Of the dramatic achievements of a
man who has played an important
role in the development of an
educational program which has
gore far in making for better
rural living in the South.
Director of Extension NJ. l.. Will
son was the principal speaker for
the OCCASION NEGRO extension
work has come long way since
that historic day in 1906" he told
a gathering of farmers and pro-
fessional agricultural workers from
all over the Southern region.
Standing under the cedar tree
where the appointment was made,
Director Wilson declared. "From
one lone worker to a staff of SAG
competent Negro agents and sup
ervisors in the II Southern States
is the important and meaningful
story that had its beginning here"
Continuing, the director said,
Great changes have come about
in farming since the start of Mr.
Campbell's illustrious career" He
pointed to home improvement, d.
versified farming methods, and to
the trend toward better rural liv-
ing in the South.
Presentation Of the marble mark
er was made by B F. Hill, an
Alabama county agent, who as a
student at Tuskegee, was picking
up sweetpotatoes behind the pillow
Of Mr.. Campbell on that Novem-
Der day III 1906 when the latter
received notification Of his appoint
ment as the first demonstration
agent
Booker T. Washington and DIR.
Seaman A. Knapp, founder of farm
demonstration work, came into the
field and Informed young Tom
Campbell that he had been select
ed to operate the Jesup Movable
School, carrying demonstrations in
better farming right up to the
doors of rural Negro people of
Alabama.
Inscription on the marker reads:
"On this site, November II, 1906,
Thomas Monroe Campbell, the first
Negro agent, received notice of
his selection by DR.. Booker T.
Washington and Dr. Seaman A..
Knapp, USDA, to begin Extension
work in Agriculture. Erected, Jan
uary, 1852"
it was long way for Camp
bell to that marker. 1t began in
a poverty-ridden farm home in
north Georgia where the tall gang
ling boy grew up on raw sweet
potatoes, fathack, and molasses.
The first step in the long journey
began with a 240-mile trek to
Tuskegee in 1899 to get an edu-
cation. After nearly four months
Of working and walking, Tom ar
rived at the campus of the great
institution.
Would you like to study farm
ing Z" the registrar asked when
the boy appeared before him for
an assignment as a work student.
Tom shook his head vigorously.
He had had enough Of mules and
barns and blowing
well, would you like to study
agriculture ?" The registrar con-
tinued.
Eyes Sir" the boy said. I'D
like to study that" The next
Morning ne found himself at the
barn hitching up a pair of mules.
From the time of his appoint
ment as demonstration agent.
through Is years. Mr.. Campbell
has carried the banner of better
farming methods to every corner
of the South. One Of his big Jobs
has been to secure the appoint
ment of additional agents. And
records show that during the early
years, it was extremely difficult
TO get plantation owners to agree
to such appointments.
Il suppose won over more plan
tatlon operators with a song than
| ever did with a sound argument
on the need for improved farming
methods" says Mr.. Campbell.
| The fell agent has become a
symbol of extension work at home
md abroad. His book, "The Nov
able School Goes to the Negro
Farmer" has been distributed
widely in this country and parts
OF the British Commonwealth.
And in 1915, he helped to make a
study of ways by which L. S. ex-