268 THE FARMER AND THE NEW DAY 



telligence and skill on behalf of the human as well as 

 the economic interests of the peasants of Russia, the 

 rural villages of India, and the tiny farms of China. 

 America particularly ought to be open to an appeal 

 for a world program of agricultural education and 

 country life propaganda that will supplement coor- 

 dinated agricultural business and economic interests. 



Sooner or later there will have to be due recognition 

 of world interest and world solidarity in regard to rural 

 affairs. The very moment has arrived to recognize 

 that interest in an international conference and pre- 

 sumably in some form of permanent council or con- 

 ferring group. The desirability has long existed. It 

 has now become imperative. 



THE FIRST STEPS 



In reconstruction plans, probably agriculture will be 

 recognized. A national commission to study these 

 problems may be necessary and desirable, but we can- 

 not wait for that. The most important single step that 

 can be taken is to secure a thoroughly responsible na- 

 tional conference to consider the agricultural program 

 of reconstruction. Ideally, this would be called by the 

 Department of Agriculture; but at any rate it ought to 

 be brought together and in the immediate future. 

 There is no other way of mapping an adequate policy 

 for securing a working program. 



There could be formed at least a temporary Na- 

 tional Council of Agriculture and Country Life, com- 

 posed of representatives from such bodies as the Na- 

 tional Grange, the National Board of Farmers' Or- 

 ganizations, the Advisory Committee to the Secretary 

 of Agriculture and the Federal Food Administration, 

 the American National Live Stock Association, the Na- 



