442 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



for that purpose. A constitution and by-laws were adopted, offi- 

 cers selected, and the infant organization sent forth to face the world 

 and justify the faith of the men who brought it into existence. 



From the beginning the new organization seemed destined to fill 

 the proverbial " long-felt-want." A giant field of effort was plainly 

 ripe for exploitation. More and more the agricultural citizenry ral- 

 lied to its standard. Farming interests showed faith in it. And 

 while the men most active in perfecting the organization were opti- 

 mistic in iheir predictions concerning its future, the cordial re- 

 ception and support given the new body exceeded their most extrava- 

 gant anticipations. 



A big and enthusiastic farm bureau meeting was held at the Iowa 

 State Fair in the closing days of August. Hundreds of farmers 

 gathered from over the state to listen to the advice and counsel of 

 men engaged in this particular field, not only in Iowa, but in other 

 states. It was decided at this meeting to put on a special state- wide 

 campaign to enlarge the membership of the farm bureatis of the 

 state. ,, -.lig 



A plan of campaign was mapped out and the drive started the last 

 week in September. Members were to be solicited on a life basis. 

 The membership fee of $5 a year would entitle to association with 

 both the county farm bureau and the State Federation. The cam- 

 paign was to be very thorough. A week was to be devoted to each 

 county. At least one solicitor would be provided for every township, 

 and every farmer and land owner was to be given a cordial invita- 

 tion to join the new movement. 



Hardin County was selected for the initial tryout. Farm bureau 

 affairs in Hardin had been rather down-at-the-heel and lacking 

 in interest, and it was agreed that the results of the week's drive 

 would go far to forecast the future and its possibilities. At the end 

 of that first week when Hardin County made good with nearly twelve 

 hundred farm bureau members there was no longer any doul)! in 

 the minds of the leaders as to their duty. 



The next week Butler County was canvassed. The week following 

 two counties were covered and from that time on the scope of the 

 drive was widened from week to week as solicitors were obtained 

 and sent into the field until by December fifteen or more counties 

 were covered each week. The campaign closed the week before 

 Christmas with more than 100.000 members enrolled. 



In connection with the drive for members, contributions were in- 

 vited for the purpose of paying the initial expense" of the campaign 



