70 THE COUNTY AGENT'S SERVICES 



generally desire to have done. This is one of the strongest 

 and most helpful kinds of local leadership in farmers' 

 affairs. 



The second and very common type of leadership is that 

 acquired by the local banker, the local merchant, dealer or 

 speculator who, because he controls more or less of the 

 wealth of the community or because he is a large buyer or 

 seller acquires an influence by this means which is often 

 out of proportion to his real qualifications in other respects. 

 This kind of leadership may be very helpful. If it is based 

 on the character and personality of the individual and what 

 he has accomplished for the community, it will be good. 

 If it is based upon selfish attainments used for personal 

 interests, as is too often the case, it will be harmful. 



There are always special or occasional leaders who stand 

 out both because of their personalities or more often be- 

 cause of the position which they may hold in the com- 

 munity. These are usually non-agricultural, such as the 

 pastor, the social worker, and sometimes the politician. 

 The value of such leadership altogether depends upon the 

 motive and qualifications of the individual. Position does 

 not of itself carry with it leadership. Too often such 

 leaders are not sound and dependable in agricultural affairs 

 and, therefore, not always desirable. 



The leadership which comes to an individual because he 

 is elected by his neighbors as an officer of a local grange or 

 a local farmers' club, theoretically, is excellent. Officers 

 in such organizations should be elected for their leadership 

 qualifications and because the leadership of a particular 

 individual is needed. In practice such leadership is not 

 always effective because it is so often elected for personal, 

 political or other reasons. 



i The community committeemen of the farm and home 

 bureaus, especially the chairmen of the committees, should 



