1941
What was happening in 1941...Home Demonstration Agents - Elizabeth Needham Block and Margaret Thurston
Major Study Projects Building Habits and Character Child Development (constructive discipline, children's use of money) County Ag Agent - R.T. Nelson County Club Agent - Paul Henderson President of Farm Bureau - H.F. Mueller Nine local club groups were organized. Silver Lake Ramblers and the Bristol Go-Getters joined together. Fifty-six members enrolled in the baby beef club, with 82 calves. Three members enrolled and completed in the beef heifer club. Two members exhibited at the county fair, both animals placing in the blue ribbon class. 33 boys enrolled and 23 completed in the market lamb club. 249 yearling ewes were purchased from the Eidel ranch in Montana. These ewes were distributed among 4-H members at a cost of $10.85 per head. Two county corn test plots were established, one at the Claus Randall farm in Lincoln township, using six replications of 20 hills, with 45 varieties; the other, a plot of 49 varieties, put in at the Flatness Brothers’ farm in Grove township for use as a moisture test plot. Community Activities 43 township and community meetings was attended by the agent. Attendance at these meetings was 3,788. A total of 60.4 days was devoted to community activities. Extension Organization A total of 21 meetings with an attendance of 364 attended on work connected with extension organization. 27.5 days were spent on extension organization. Other Projects Small Grains – Two meetings on flax growing were held in the county. Over 100 grain exhibits were entered in the corn and grain show held at Northwood. Legumes and Forage Crops –There seemed to be little difference between the Grimm, Cossack, and Ladak to date. Increased interest was shown during the year particularly in soybeans and reed canary grass. Soils – 22 fertilizer plots were established in the county in which small grain or flax was seeded to clover or alfalfa. Over 200 samples of soil were tested during the year for lime requirement. Vegetable and Truck Crops –Two potato test plots were conducted in the county. Landscape Architecture –Checked on landscape work started in the county, and drew up plans for additional work. Tree and Small Fruits –Budding and grafting work was carried on in two demonstration orchards. Agricultural Engineering –Two meetings were held in the county on the use of electrical equipment. Demonstrations were conducted on the installation of septic tanks. Poultry Production – A meeting was held on poultry management and one on poultry diseases. Dairy Production – Held a meeting on feeding and management. Dairy Industry – Cream scoring work was carried on in the county in cooperation with the Agricultural Extension Service and the Iowa State Brand Creameries. Beef Cattle Production – A meeting was held on feeding and management of beef cattle. Swine Production – Publicity and circular letters were mailed to producers urging them to increase hog production in 1941. Sheep Production – A carload of 249 yearling ewes was secured from the Eidel ranch in Montana to be distributed among producers in the county. Assisted in the location of seven purebred rams. Farm Management – Over 100 record books were distributed from the county extension office. Agricultural Outlook –Presented the agricultural outlook information at a series of township and community meetings, also at vocational night school at Manly. Farm Financing and Credit –Worth County was included this year in the area where the Tenant Purchase plan became available. Agricultural Conservation Program – Time devoted by the county agent to the agricultural conservation program was 12.5 days. This was spent almost entirely in educational work. A series of four educational meetings was set up in March. Public Problems – Organized for a aluminum drive in the county. A total of over 3,000 pounds of aluminum was collected in this drive. Took part in a discussion of rural library service at a district meeting held at Britt and at a similar meeting held at Mason City. Marketing Farm Products –Assisted two cooperative creameries in the county in reorganization and securing of new charters. Spoke on principles of cooperative marketing and the importance fo food production for national defense at annual meetings of creameries and elevators. Food and Nutrition – Took part in the county meeting for organization of a county nutrition committee. Cotton Mattress Program – The county agent assisted in setting up the cotton mattress program in the county. A total of 22.3 days was devoted to this project. Assistance was given to setting up mattress centers, securing equipment and materials, training leaders, and other work in connection with the program. Rodents and Insects – Two fumigation demonstrations on insects in stored corn were held in the county. Weeds – A large increase in the number of samples of seed sent in for purity tests was shown in this past year. |