THE STORY OF THE ASSOCIATION 



BEGINNINGS 



In September, 1910, a little group of New York vegetable growers 

 who were attending a meeting of the Vegetable Growers' Association 

 of America stood together in the lobby of the Livingston Hotel 

 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. One of the growers wondered why 

 just such a meeting might not be held within the bounds of the home 

 state, thus bringing to the many the advantages which were then 

 available to but a few who were willing to make the long journey to 

 another state. Others in the group spoke favorably of the idea, and 

 as a result of this conversation, letters were addressed to a number 

 of prominent vegetable men in different sections, asking their opinions 

 as to the desirability and the feasibility of undertaking a movement 

 looking toward the organization of an association which might hold 

 such meetings and in other ways advance the interests of the pro- 

 ducers of the state. Replies were in practically every instance 

 favorable, and in many cases highly enthusiastic, and the following 

 call was formulated and signed: 



A CALL TO ORGANIZE THE VEGETABLE GROWING INDUSTRY 

 OF NEW YORK 



Realizing that the vegetable growing interests of New York State 

 are rapidly increasing in importance with the growth of our cities 

 and the development of our lands; 



Realizing that the fruit and dairy interests of our state and the 

 vegetable interests of other sections have gained much through 

 organizations ; and 



Realizing that the vegetable growers are neglecting an oppor- 

 tunity to interchange ideas on their own line of work, to hear the ideas 

 of the best growers from without the state, to exercise a helpful 

 influence over legislation, to make known their needs as to instruction 

 and investigation, to bring united pressure to bear upon the carrying 

 companies for better transportation service, and to undertake many 

 other activities that the future would show to be of value, 



We, the undersigned, hereby request the vegetable growers of 

 New York State to meet at the College of Agriculture, Cornell 

 University, Ithaca, New York, on Wednesday, February 22, at 2 p. m., 



