University of Florida - Tower / Seminole Yearbook (Gainesville, FL)

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FARMERS' INSTITUTE STAFF. I . H. Rolfs, M.s.-------...--------------------Sup •rintcmh nt. A. P. SPENCER, M.S. —-------------- Assistant in Extension Work. C. K. McOUARRIE--------------------Asst. Supt. Farmers’ Institute R. MrQl AKRIK Stenographer. EXTENSION DIVISION. The work of the Extension Division of the University of Florida is primarily an educational enterprise. Its purpose is to carry information and encouragement from the University into the country, the towns and the villages of Florida, especially to those citizens of the State who are engaged in Agriculture and who cannot afford the time to attend the University. The work is so planned that the farmer, the truck-grower and the fruit-grower, who are striving to build up better homes and secure better returns for their labor n« y get the latest and most accural information. Making the Individual farmers more prosperous builds up the schools, the churches, and the community as a whole. The policy of the Extension movement is to con- serve and help to broaden the spirit of initiative, co-operation. and self-reliance among the country people, and not to encourage dependence on State or Federal forces. Agriculture in Florida is, to a large degree, still in a pioneer stage, and. in a broad sense, differs widely in different sections of the State. The present development of the land is giving rise to a more changeable and varied condition of agriculture. The former cotton planter may plant his field to pecans, or he may become a pork producer. Recause of this, information of a varied nature is demanded and supplied. It therefore becomes the duty of the Extension workers to meet the most imperative needs. The Farmers’ Institutes have been developed in

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more communities than any other line of Extension work. Information on farm practice, crop production, fertilizers, and other questions of rural interest, based on scientific data, is offered to the farmers in plain discourses. Between July 1. 1012. and February 20. 1013. 367 such discourses were delivered at 175 Farmers' Institute sessions in Florida. In all. 16.375 persons have attended (an average of 05 per session). The variety of the agricultural interests in Florida has made it necessary to carefully plan the Extension work. Co-operation of sentiment between Extension works and the communities must exist. To meet this condition, local Farmers' Institutes have been organized in each of 32 counties. This organization facilitates matters in three important ways: First: It permits of a systematic arrangement so that sufficient time may bo allowed in advance to carefully plan the Institute and to advertise the meetings, thus preventing additional expense and loss of time in travel; and conserving the energies and funds of the Extension Division. Second: It stimulates local interest and encourages organization and self-help in the community centers. Third: It enables the Extension workers to give preference to the wishes and vital needs of the individ- uni communities, and in this may give direct assistance. Because of an increasing demand on the Extension forces and funds, it was not practicable to conduct a Farmers’ Institute train through the State this year. The greater demand for Farmers’ Institutes has made it necessary to emphasize the truly educational phases, and lay less stress on the stimulative features. For the present year $7,500 was appropriated to carry out the Extension work. From this fund is | aid the traveling expenses, salaries of the officer , the clerical help, postage, publications, equipment, and general expenses incident thereto. The Women’s Institute was made possible oi ly in live places, through co-operation with the Home Economics Department of the State College for Women. Quantities of seeds of new and useful plants have been furnished to persons who seemed best prepared to care for them. So far as possible, field instruction to farmers has been given, but this was possible only on a very limited number of farms this year. Movable schools, for which there are constant requests, have been impossible. For the present it seems best to carry out a single project in the complete way. rather than to attempt to cover the entire field and to cover none of it thoroughly and acceptably.