Farm Bureau Work in New York State for 1914 2107 



York State would probably not have had these institutions until one 

 and more likely two years later. Of the last fifteen bureaus formed, 

 at least ten were organized by farmers, who raised from three- to four- 

 fifths of the money required, and began the work without either Govern- 

 ment (except the franking privilege) or Crop Improvement Committee 

 aid. With few excej^tions, these bureaus have made as much progress 

 in a }'car as was made in two years in counties where farmers were not 

 interested, either in the finances or in the management. This prog- 

 ress was not so much due to the managers (agents) as to the member- 

 ship and the interest of farmers in these counties. It is an illustration 

 of the old and soimd principle of self-help, which is always the most 

 efTective. 



It is an easy matter for the Government or the State to organize a 

 fann bureau and to aippoint an agent to work with farmers. It is not 

 so easy to stimulate cotmties and communities to work for themselves, 

 but it is vastly more efTective. If we have learned one thing better than 

 another in New York State, it is this fact. "Now our policy is not to 

 encourage the organization of a fann bureau in a county until several 

 hundred farmers indicate their interest by forming an association and 

 locally pro\'iding at least three-fifths of the finances, as well as asstuning 

 the responsibility for the work and the manager. It will be noted that 

 while the first nineteen bureaus organized have an average membership 

 of 225 farmers the last 7 organized average 305 members. We have had 

 marked successes with the old method, but they have been due chiefly 

 to the individual ability and the personality of the farm bureau mianagers. 

 In several of these counties the bureaus are now being reorganized. 



organization and functions 



The central office of farm bureaus, located at the State College 

 of Agriculture, represents the United States Department of Agriculture 

 through its office of Farmers' Cooperative Demonstrations, North and 

 West, in its extension ser\'ice; the New York State Department of Agri- 

 culture through its Bureau of Farmers' Institutes; the New York 

 State College of Agriculture; and the various farm bureau associations 

 in the State, which are receiving State and Federal aid and have 

 signed a memorandum of understanding regarding the conduct of the 

 work. 



The method of procedure in the organization of farm bureaus is as 

 follows : 



Local farm bureau associations are formed by representative farmers 

 and other persons interested in the agricultural develojiment of a county. 

 In doing this the persons interested usually ask and receive aid from 

 the director's office. These associations should comprise a minimimi 

 of ten per cent of the farmers of the county. Having completed its 

 organization, such an association applies to the director, as the repre- 

 sentative of the State and Federal Governments, for financial aid, super- 

 vision, and cooperation. A general memorandum of understanding 

 is then prepared by the director stating the terms under which such 

 assistance may be granted. When this is properly signed by the co- 

 operating parties, the treasiurer of the farm bureau association, when 



