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BY VERNON HARDESTY, FORD COUNTY 



/f HAVE been a member of the Ford County 

 ^l Farm Bureau since its organization. There 

 ^^ are several reasons why I belong to this or- 

 ganization. 



First, the Farm Bureau is the best of all farm or- 

 ganizations. It is only by co-operation that farmers 

 will ever succeed in competing with the other in- 

 dustries. Just as other industries have strong organ- 

 izations to hold all their members together for the 

 welfare of all concerned, so must the farmers organ- 

 ize. 



The Farm Bureau has effected changes through 

 the national government this year and is working 

 further in this line. 



Secondly, there are several ways by which money 

 is saved by the Farm Bureau member. In purchasing 

 gasoline and distillate from the Service Company, 

 ten to twenty per cent is refunded. I use large 

 quantities of fuel, grease and oils and so save much 

 money each season. In buying serum for the vac- 

 cination of pigs for cholera, five per cent is saved. 

 Not only does the serum cost five per cent less than 

 the veterinarian charges, but before this was true the 

 cost of vaccinating was much greater than today. It 

 was through the Farm Bureau that I purchased a set 

 of vaccinating tools and learned how to do my own 

 vaccinating. Therefore, I save much money each 

 year. 



The cheapest and best life and auto insurance at 

 the present time is provided by the Country Life In- 

 surance Company and the Illinois Agricultural Mu- 

 tual Insurance Company. All members of our fam- 

 ily have life insurance with this company, three of 

 whom are charter members and receive a special 

 participating dividend. Our car is also insured with 

 our company. 



Last year my son raised two calves as a 4-H 

 project which were purchased by a plan provided for 

 by the local Farm Bureau. Each year many boys 



have this opportunity and are thus encouraged to 

 raise club calves. 



I have stock in our nearest cooperative creamery. 

 This creamery has raised prices and the quality of 

 cream. Selling to the creamery saves delivering 

 cream and enables the creamery to produce the best 

 quality of butter because the cream is sweet when 

 received at the creamery. Profits go to the producer 

 instead of to "middlemen." .1 



My wife has saved much time and energy by 

 using a tin can sealer which we purchased through 

 the Farm Bureau several years ago, before it was 

 possible to buy one from other sources. Now cans 

 and lids are handled here at reasonable prices. 



By the use of farm account books, members may 

 keep a record of all sources and expenditures of in- 

 come, and after they are balanced, each can judge 

 his rating in that district and can tell in what phase 

 of work he has made the most and least profit, and 

 thereby strengthen the weak spots in the next year's 

 system. I have found it interesting and helpful to 

 look back at the books covering the work of several 

 years. 



Besides all these benefits, there is the social as- 

 pect. The local unit holds monthly meetings at 

 which good speakers appear on the program with 

 entertainment provided by committees formed from 

 the group. These meetings are instructive as well as 

 entertaining. 



Another benefit is received from the Ford County 

 Com Growers' Ass'n. organized by the Farm Bu- 

 reau. At the seed houses the seed corn is dried and 

 tested for disease as well as .germination. 



Altogether, the Farm Bureau means very much to 

 me. Not only do I save money as an individual 

 member, but I feel that in the work of this organ- 

 ization will be found the salvation of the farmer. 

 The quotation — "United we stand. Divided we 

 fall" — holds good with farmers as well as states. 



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L A. A. RECORD 



