256 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



standardized articles. The general policy of elimination of waste in 

 production and distribution has been made effective in all projects. 



Tliese ])olicies luvve been felt out on a state-wide basis thiiouoh district 

 conferences of agents who bring with them a consciousness of the needs 

 and wishes of the residents of their areas. Definite expression of the 

 major jiolicies was presented to the annual meeting of the State Farm 

 Bureau and recognition and support was given to at least the program of 

 market organization. 



In the execution of this organization program, the State Fann Bureau 

 has co-oiverated fully with the Extension Service in building up the local 

 units and federating Ihean into comnioditv exchanges. This co-operation 

 consisted in full discussion of each step in the plans, assistance in organ- 

 izing local co-operative units and finally assuming of the responsibility 

 by the State Farm Bureau for the calling of state-wide meetings of repre- 

 sentatives of locals for purposes of federation. 



As local co-oiperative units grow in nnm'ber and strength, their influence 

 in working out programs and plans of work is being felt through the 

 County Farm Bureaus. The County Executive Committees of the Farm 

 Bureaus are in such matters sensitive to the needs and wishes of the 

 local marketing associations because it is often thiough these locals 

 that tlie actual work is accomplished. In many counties marketing 

 locals are being given representation on the county fai'm buireau com- 

 mittees. 



The county farin bureaus of Michigan have abandoned business activi- 

 tias and have become, with few exceptions, purely educational organiza- 

 tions for carrying on promotional work in the interests of agriculture 

 and home life in the country. The executive committee of each bureau 

 is the extension committee througli wliicli the county agricultural agent 

 with the ai<sistau!ce of state leaders works ont the plan and program of 

 work for the county. The execution of the program is accomplished 

 through a number of methods. Tlie period of develoipment through which 

 county farm bureaus liave i)assed lias caused lack of uniformity in organ- 

 ization. Many bureaus are still dependent upon the township unit system 

 for representation. This ])lan merely serves to elect delegates once a 

 year to a county meeting for ]nirposes of electing officers, executive com- 

 mittee and giving general advice on program of work. In such bureaus, 

 the executive committee is in full power throughout the year to direct pro- 

 gram and jtlans. Other bureaus are formed on the basis of representation 

 selected by local co-oiperative marketing institutioaiis. This is proving 

 more satisfactory because the local economic institution is permanent 

 and represents the great majority of the people. The business local also 

 has associated with it the strong leaders of the area and gives the whole 

 bureau a .setting of power and stabilitv. It must be emphasized, however, 

 that county farm bureans controlled by reiireisentation from business 

 institutions are educational in character and function as an extension 

 machine. The service wliich the central county bureau extends to the 

 business locals is entirely eduational and not one of business control. 



It is tanticipated that the number of counties employing agents in 1922 

 will increase to G7 or 08. No counties now in operation are likely to be 

 discontinued for any Icngtli of time. Salaries of agents will decrease, 

 but not seriously enough to lose good agents. The ajiparent trend of 

 emphasis will swing toward production, not because of lack of interest 



