DEVELOPMENT OF THE FARM DEMONSTRATION AGENCY 



than upon any other topic pertaining to farming or farm folks. 



Demonstration Agents should consider three types, or 

 steps, of organization, viz., (1) selective, (2) sentiment-form- 

 ing, and (3) general. They must realize that human forces 

 are mobile and changeable. They can not take organization 

 as an objective and finish it with a song of satisfaction like, 

 " 'Tis done, the great transaction's done." They will fare 

 better if they adopt a philsophy somewhat after this fashion : 

 Organizations may come and organizations may go, but object 

 lessons go on forever. 



The selection of the demonstrators themselves is the first 

 and most vital piece of selective organization. This is where 

 Gideonic wisdom is most needed. As a practical proposition, 

 the agent must frequently call for volunteers, especially for 

 the Boys' Farm Clubs. Then in every section or sub-division 

 of the county he must have some counselors and supporters 

 who advise and help. Of course most of them will be demon- 

 strators themselves and, therefore, competent and intelligent 

 to give aid. However, a country preacher, a physician, the 

 county superintendent of education, a leading banker, editor 

 or lawyer may belong to the chosen few who constitute the 

 advisory cabinets of these agricultural reformers. This coun- 

 cil should be expanded as interest grows. It should always 

 be made up of members who have a vital concern in the success 

 of the work and the welfare of the people. 



The Progressive Farmer of November 1, 1919, gave this 

 brief outline of the duties and workings of a farm council: 



"The council has appointed five sub-committees, each one 

 charged with a clearly defined share of the agricultural work of the 

 county, and each one representative in that it includes a leading 

 citizen from every district or beat." 



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