University of Wisconsin River Falls - Meletean Yearbook (River Falls, WI)

Page 28 text:

Department of Agriculture JOHN M. MAY B. S. A. Kansas Agricultural College Agriculture needs trained men more today than ever before in its history. The war has produced many changes in farming. It apparently stopped a comparatively long period of farm prosperity. For the past three years, agriculture has been going through a severe period of depression. New problems have appeared. the most important of which are distribution, adjustment of production to demand, credit and better marketing methods. There is an urgent need for men trained to cope with these problems and who can stimulate an interest in agriculture. The most effective and far-reaching work is with the boys and girls who will be our farmers in the next generation. The agricultural course at River Falls Is organized to train men for this type of work. The department for training of agricultural teachers was organized in 1912. The first graduating class had three members. Since that time 275 have completed the course, most of whom have become teachers of agriculture and science in Wisconsin. Forty per cent of the special teachers of agriculture in Wisconsin this year are graduates of this department. The work of a teacher of agriculture is varied. He must have a thorough understanding of the practical and technical phases of agriculture. He must have sufficient professional training to enable him to teach successfully. He must also . ROY K. SPRIGGS B. S. Kansas State Agricultural College Igricultural Mechanics WILLIAM SEGERSTROM Stout Institute Manual Training Page H

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JAMES I. MALOTT A. M. University of Missouri Principal. Rural Department Department of Education ALFRED H, WEBSTER A. M. University of CIuchko WALTER II. HUNT Pit. M. Valparaiso University Principal. Principals Department The primary purpose of the normal school is to serve the state in training teachers for its common schools. In rendering this service it should pay special attention to tlic educational movements that arc continually presenting themselves for consideration. This service to the school is rendered through the Department of Education. It is the function of the Department of Education to aid in the organisation of the various courses of study offered by the school, to study the different educational ideas as they arc advanced, and to try these out, evaluate them, and pass them on to the school. The Department of Education formulates the body of educational theory for the school and furnishes the educational principles upon which the work in theory and practice is to be based. It renders to the school a service in educational theory similar to that rendered in practice hv the practice teaching in the Training Department.

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THE MELETEAN E. J. PRUCHA It. S. University of Wisconsin H. G. ANDERSON ARTHUR N. JOHNSON M. S. University of Wisconsin IS. S. University of Wisconsin IgricHltnral Economics become an active part in the community life and be a leader in many activities. The aim of the department is to provide opportunities for training in these different phases of his work. For this purpose a farm of 110 acres is managed by tbc department which is used for agricultural experimentation and demonstration. A large herd of pure-bred cattle furnishes opportunities for judging, testing and feeding practice. A large shop building furnishes excellent facilities for mechanical training. Well equipped laboratory rooms are available for more technical instruction. Special facilities are provided for teaching experience. The River Falls High School conducts an organized course in agriculture, the teaching of which is done by senior students under careful supervision. The department has a program of outside activities including a Poultry and Grain Show, Live Stock Show and Field Day where opportunity is afforded in training for boys’ and girls’ club work ond community service. The agricultural department was the first organised department in the state to permanently adopt a three year course. With the prospects of the Normal Schools being granted the power to grant degrees, it is expected that the Board of Regents will award the department this privilege. A four year course with a degree would open an unlimited field for our graduates in this and other states, since many states now require a degree for high school teaching.