110 THE COUNTY AGENT'S SERVICES 



A SOUND PUBLIC POLICY 



It should be clear that the function of the county agent 

 in relation to cooperative organization among farmers 

 should be to so present the facts to farmers that it will cause 

 and help them to think through their own problems and 

 decide upon their own responsibility what it is desirable 

 to do. Farmers cannot and should not be told what to do 

 or what not to do in cooperative buying or selling. They 

 should be helped to help themselves since this will 

 strengthen their- own ability to solve their problems. 



The principle that the county agent should confine his 

 work on marketing as well as production problems 

 to educational activities is sound and should be rigidly 

 adhered to. While he should at all times maintain a sym- 

 pathetic and understanding contact with such undertak- 

 ings and be ready to assist in suggesting the most efficient 

 type of organization he should never take an active part 

 in organizing or operating or assume responsibility for 

 any marketing undertaking. 



There are certain basic principles which underlie co- 

 operative organization for marketing or for buying sup- 

 plies. If these are not adhered to, failure is almost in- 

 evitable. Farmers can get knowledge of these principles 

 either by expensive experience or by seeking, securing and 

 practicing what the experience of others teaches. They 

 are entitled to have this experience and advice readily 

 available. The county agent and the farm bureau are the 

 obvious local sources of this information. 



