Untitled Document

THE HENRY COUNTY FARM BUREAU

By John P. Manna, President

Illinois can now boast of 23 counties employing advisors, and 13 additional counties in the process of organization. The Farm Bureau movement in Henry county is still in its infancy, but it is fair to expect that a permanent organization will be perfected in the near future. It is there fore fitting that space in this directory be devoted to the history and purpose of the organization.

In the counties having advisors the discoveries of the experiment stations are being combined with the experiences of the best farmers, and the results demonstrated on the farms of actual farmers under their own conditions. The demonstration plan was first introduced about 10 years ago through men who have become known as "county agents" or "advisors." In Illinois the work was started simul taneously in De Kalb and Kankakee counties on June 1, 1912, the counties working independently. It is worthy of note that so far no county in Illinois has discontinued the work after having once begun it.

Before the organization was formed in Henry county, a considerable amount of preliminary work was done in order that as many farmers as possible over the entire county might have accurate information as to the general purpose and plan of the work. As in any other new movement for the betterment of agriculture, the best farmers in the community have taken the lead. Much credit is due the county newspapers, which have been of great assistance in presenting the subject.

On March 24, 1916, a county-wide meeting was held in the court house at Cambridge, for the purpose of forming a temporary organization. John P. Hanna of Geneseo was elected president; J. W. Morgan. Galva, vice- president : Tosenh Ryan, Kewanee, secretary, and E. C. Love. Orion, treasurer.

Two representatives were chosen from each township, whose duty it was to make a systematic canvass of the county in order to secure members and financial support for the work. These representatives were actual farmers, well-known, and hav ing the respect and confidence of their communities. The following committee was also appointed to draw up a constitution and by-laws for the permanent organization: Joseph Ryan R. J. Hamilton, C. J. Kellem, Frank Blair and J, W. Morgan.

On July 26, those interested in the Farm Bureau movement enjoyed a basket lunch picnic at the County Infirmary. Concerning this first roundup of farmers and business men the local press gave the following account: "They came from all parts of the county did the crowd that gathered at the County Home last Wednesday in response to the general invitation extended by the Henry County Farm Bureau for a gathering of farmers and business men in a get- together picnic. Practically every township of the county was represented by delegations large or small. The largest delegation was from Kewanee and the second largest from Geneseo.

The picnic was held in the grove at the north of the county building, and it proved an ideal place for an event of this kind. Although the day was one of the hottest of the season, the mercury hovering around the 100 mark in the shade from morn ing until night, the picnickers enjoyed themselves in the shaded grove, seemingly oblivious of the fact that it was a fearfully warm day. A social good time was enjoyed until the noon hour, when the picnickers formed into groups and partook of a basket picnic dinner that was, of course, one of the pleasing features of the day's festivities. Music for the occasion was furnished by the Cambridge Boy's Band, a musical organization of which the county seat town may well be proud."

1918 Prairie Farmers Directory

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