200 THE GREEN RISING 



by Congress in 1914 provided for a comprehensive 

 program of agricultural extension. This important 

 agrarian measure gave the stamp of approval to 

 farmers' cooperative demonstration work, which had 

 been previously fostered by Dr. Seaman A. Knapp. 

 The Extension specialist and county agricultural 

 agent began in 1914 to disseminate the scientific 

 agricultural information that had become available 

 through the research activities of the experiment 

 stations throughout the country. When the hos- 

 tilities began in 1917 the number of county agri- 

 cultural agents was increased greatly and their 

 services were utilized to aid in stimulating agricul- 

 tural production. By the time the War came to an 

 end, the Extension Service organization had become 

 organized thoroughly and the county agent had be- 

 come a recognized factor in the promotion of 

 agricultural endeavor. 



In the meantime, county and state farm bureaus 

 were being formed in several states. It is sig- 

 nificant that this organization entered upon its first 

 national phase when representatives from twelve 

 states gathered at Ithaca, New York, on February 

 12, 1919, to consider the advisability and desirability 

 of uniting in a national federation. As a result of 

 this meeting it was decided to postpone final action 

 for the present, but a call was issued for another 

 meeting to be held at Chicago on November 12 and 

 13 for the purpose of forming a national associa- 

 tion. In the intervening months vigorous cam- 

 paigns were conducted in a number of states where 



