70 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



herds of special excellence; methods of controlling diseases and insects; 

 equipment for household water supply and sewage disi)osal; drainage 

 systems; farm buildings, and many other farm methods and equipment. 



In all the service offered it is the aim to help both organizations and 

 individuals to do things for themselves ralher than to do things for them. 

 W'lierever \\()rk is diMie with individuals on siieeial piohlems those prob- 

 lems are handled in the way that will be of benefit to the community as 

 well as educational to the individual. 



In all such matters as sale of products, purchase of supplies, control of 

 disease, surveying drains, farm construction, etc., it is the function of 

 extension workers to teach farmers how, and develop in them business 

 ability through experience rather than to do things for them. 



Working with groups and organizations has become the standard 

 method of reaching the large numbers desiring the services of extension 

 workers. The size of the State and the great numbers of rural people 

 make working with individuals inefficient. However, in dealing with 

 groups, special effort is made to secure proficiency on the part of the 

 most adaptable individuals in order that others may later learn from 

 them. To make such work of permanent value, the great need, both in 

 the small neighborhood groups and in the wide community organization, 

 is for local leadership. Such leaders are the permanent point of contact 

 between the service of the College and that community unit. 



Many leaders are to be found within present farmers' organizations 

 such as the Granges, Farmers' Clubs and Gleaners, and also within rural 

 schools and churches. Much has been done by the various institutions of 

 the State in developing this leadership, but great effort must be con- 

 tinued to bring about a realization of the opportunities for development 

 along every line in rural community life. The winter short courses, the 

 summer school and summer conferences, farmers' week, and other Col- 

 lege activities are assisting invaluably in this work but training in rural 

 leadership should be given emphasis at every opportunity. 



The conservative and practical extension work done in former years 

 has effectively prei^ared conditions for the more rapid growth under the 

 Smith-Lever Act. There are still many communities where little is 

 known of the extension service of the College, but through successful 

 work in adjacent regions our methods and purposes are becoming better 

 known and appreciated. The work is not crowded upon people where 

 there is no desire for it, and it is most encouraging to learn from the ex- 

 tension staff that this desire develops rapidly in such regions as the 

 work becomes more fully understood. 



In accordance with the terms of the Smith-Lever Act, the work for the 

 succeeding j^ear has been planned in project form and submitted to the 

 Secretary of Agriculture for ai)proval. Projects Nos. 1 to 14 as already 

 given were revised according to the experiences of the year and have 

 been approved. Projects Nos. 15 and IG will be continued on College 

 funds. 



Very truly vours 



R. J. BALDWIN, 

 Extension Director. 



East Lansing, Mich., June P»0, 1910. 



