teXTENSION DIVISION. 1»T 



more and more apparent that it would be necessary to combine all the fruit 

 organizations in the State to furnish sufficient tonnage to properly sup- 

 port a central sales agency. 



Consequently plans were developed for the formation of a state-wide 

 exchange which would include all fruit organizations. After a careful 

 studj^ of the situation, it was concluded that the best plan was to effect a 

 reorganization of the Michigan Fruit Packers' Federation. That was 

 accomplished at the annual meeting of the said organization, and the 

 personnel of the management was completely changed. The name was 

 changed to the Michigan Fruit Growers' Exchange, and other amendments 

 to the by-laws and Articles of Association were voted, in order to make the 

 organization satisfactory, particularly to the grape interests. Four of the 

 grape organizations had indicated their willingness to join, and it is hoped 

 that all the fruit organizations may unite on this plan in the near future. 



The problem presents many complications, and it is thought advisable 

 not to press the matter at present. The members of the former Michigan 

 Fruit Packers' Federation were all visited in the interests of the formation 

 of a central sales agency. Some efforts had been made along this line the 

 preceding year, but with rather unsatisfactory results. All the member 

 organizations were visited and, with the exception of the South Haven and 

 Fennville Fruit Exchanges, all the organizations have agreed to a cen- 

 tral sales plan. 



In addition to this work, new organizations are being completed in 

 the northern part of the state, one of which, the Hart Cooperative Mar- 

 keting Association, has already joined the Michigan Fruit Growers' Ex- 

 change. The enclosed map, marked "Exhibit C", indicated the location 

 of the Fruit Growers' organizations in the state, and the location of the 

 central office in Benton Harbor. 



LIVE STOCK INDUSTRY. 



Interest in cooperative marketing of live stock has been very active, 

 and a large number of local organizations have been completed in the 

 State during the past year. 



In response to a general demand coming from local live stock shipping 

 associations throughout the State, an effort was made to organize a state 

 live stock exchange, the purpose of this exchange being to co-ordinate and 

 unify the efforts of the local associations and to mobilize their financial 

 power and strength for the general protection and upbuilding of the in- 

 dustry. Work on this central live stock exchange was delayed until the 

 appointment of Mr. G. C. Raviler as Field Agent in Organization, who was 

 to give special attention to live stock marketing in the State. 



In response to a general call, representatives of about sixty-three live 

 stock shipping associations assembled at Lansing on the 20th and 21st of 

 March. A constitution and bj^-laws were adopted and the following direc- 

 tors elected: 



Fred Smith Grand Traverse County. 



H. T. Glezen Cheyboygan County. 



E. E. Compson Mecosta County. . 



L. E. Willett Shiawassee County. 



C. L. Harrison St. Joseph County. 



C. E. Beamer Lenawee County. 



Wm. E. Hill Genessee County. 



