Degree at Master at Science Floyd J. Ruble, B.Sc

Home , Ion thruster

THE ORG!NIWION AND DEVELOPMENT

OF YOUNG MEN'S FARMING CLUBS IN OHIO

A fheaia Preaented for the :Degree at Master at Science

Floyd J. Ruble, B.Sc.

~he Ohio State University 1930

Approved bya TA.BLE OF CO:tnENTS

Page

INTRODUC~ION i

Statement of the Problem 11

Source material ii

FARill ORGANIZATIONS 1

ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH 2

BEGINNING OF THE FARMING CLUB MOV&ililll! 3

ITS POSSIBILITIES FOR lilEMBEB.SllIP 4

THE ORGANIUTION OF A TY.Piilli.L CLUB 5

PART-TIME COURSES ESSENTIAL TO 1!13TABLISHING FARMING CLUBS 10

INT~TS OF THE OBGA.Niz.ATION 12 MEM.BlmSHIP 14

THE CONSTITUTION OF A CLUB 18

INITIATION 19

.PROGRAM OF WORK 20

ATHLE'rIOS 27

SOCIALS 28

PIAYS 29

PFB.l! HUNTS 30

PAlJJlft-SON .BANQ.Ums 31

PA!lf-TIKE COURSil> 31

O.BJ:00!.rIVBS OP' PART-TIME INSTRUCTION 35

PROJ:OOT WORK 37

:eROJ:OOTS AND SUPERVISED .PRACTICE IN THE GROVE CITY C01A1UNITY TABLE OF CONTE!il'lS

page

CASES OF INDIVIDUAL PROJJOOT WOBK 46

THE YOUNG MEN'S FAru.ilNG CLUB AS A COM.WNITY ASS~~ 50 BEIA.TIONSHIPS AND R.EaPONSIBILITI.12 OP T~CH.l:lib OP VOCA.TIONA.L AGRICUL'...'URE 51

THE FU'i'URE OF YOUNG MEN'S FAmllNG CLUBS 52

STATUS OF YOUNG MEN'S F.Alli:iilNG CLUBS IN O'.i:HAR STAT.Ea 53

SUMhlARY 54

BIBLIOGRAHIY 56 APPENDIX 57 LIST OF TAB~

Page

I GROWTH OF THE GROVE CITY YOU. MEN'S FARM.ING CLUBS 6

II THE GRC1NTH OF YOUNG .MEN'S ~~Rii:llNG CLUBS SHOWING THE REJ'ATION OF THE NUMBER OF llEPAR'.i:.:J..~~S OF VOCATIONA.L AGRICULTURE AND THE WllB~ OF .PART-TIU COURS.:l3 FOR NINE Y.FARS, 1922 TO 1930 10

III 11IE REIATIONSHIP BEfJ.'WEEN F.AlUoUNG CLUB l4EM.B..iBS AND PART-TIME El'ffiOLI.JalliNT AT GROVE CITY BY Y~RS FROM 1924 TO 1930 12

IV IN'.l:..:.:RESTS OF YOUNG l4:EJI' S aRMING CLUB .lS RA.l,.l{ED BY fWENTY-SIB INSTRUOTOBS 13

V BANKING OF PA.Rr-T I.ME WORK BY YOUNG .MEN 13

VI PEaOENTAGE OF AVAIIABLE YOUNG lam ENROLLED BY YOUNG KEN'S FARM.Im CLUBS IN TWENTY-SIX COMlvl."UNITI~ 16

VII VARIATION IN YOUNG .MEN'S FArulING CLUB llEMBmBHIP IN TWENTY-SIX CLUBS 16

VIII STATUS OF YOUNG MEN'S FARMCING CLUB m.IB.i.::BSHIP FOR IJ!WO Y~RS 1928 1'0 1930 17

IX RFASONS WHY YOUNG Bl DROP OUT OF YOUNG liiEN' S FAR- MING CLUB 18

X TOURS TAKEN BY YOUNG MEN'S F.A.IU.aNG CLUBS AS REPO:Rr.ED BY TWENTY-01:r.E T-4\CH&S 27

XI PART-TIME COURSES SPOl~SORED BY YOUNG .MEN'S FAlUilNG CLU.Ie 32

XII REIATIOHSllIP Bi!rW~EN OLUB MEMBlll.SliIP AND A.TTEN- DA.lJCE AT 1'H.E FIRST PART-TillliE laiEETING Alf GROVE CifY 33

XIII PA!t!-TI.ME COUBS:F.8 OFFERED AT GROVE CITY 34

XIV DIFFICULTIES ENOOUNTlltED IN SUPERVISED PlU.O'fIOE WORK 38 xv PROJOOTS AND SUPERVISED mAOTIC:E WORK VII!rn B\.RT• !!MB STUDENTS IN OHIO 1926-1926 39

XVI PROJOOTS AND SUPERVISED P.RAOTIOE WORK WITH P~- ~IME STUDE1'1rS IN OHIO 1926-1927 40 LIST OJI TilLES

XVII PROJ:OOTS AND SUPllWIS.ED PRACTICE WORK WITH PART-TIME S!I!UDENTS IN OHIO 1927-1928 40

XVIII PROJIOOTS AND su:emVIS.ED PRACTICE WORK WITH PART-TIME STUDEN'rS IN OHIO 1928-1929 41

XIX BROJJOC:TS AND su:emVISED :EBA.CTICE WORK WITH PART-TIME STUDEl-.1TS IN OHIO 1929-1930 42

SUMMA.RY OF PROJ:EX:lTS AND SUPERVISED P.RACTIOE WORK WITH PART-TIME STUDENTS IN OHIO 1925-1930 THE ORGANI.t:.ATION .AND D£VE.LOP1~T

OF YOUNG L.IEN'S FARMING CLUBS IN OHIO

Introduction

Young men's tarrning clubs are social organizations established by teachers ot agriculture in Ohio, for young men between sixteen and twenty- tive years ot age who are engaged in ta:rming. These clubs have been in existence since 1922, and are well distributed over the state. This thesis is an account of the organization and its subsequent development, particularly in the Grove City conmunity where the author has been associated with it for the past five years in his capacity as critic teacher in the Depart- ment of Agricultural Bducation.

For several years teachers of vocational agriculture have searched for a means of uniting the interests of the young men in their conmmnities. lfhis movement has offered a solution, It is the aim of this study to present what has been done in this field. It, as a result, other teachers shall be enabled to organize similar groups, that will be adequate practical justification for the study.

As tar as the writer can ascertain by oorrespondtnce and reading, little, if anything, has been done in this field in other states. Mr. J.B. llcClelland, Assistant State Supervisor ot Agricultural Education for Ohio, made a contribution in this field in his thesis,1 ~grioultural Instruc- tion for Pa.rt-Time Groups in Ohio, in 1927.

1 J.B. McClelland, Instruction for Part-Time Groups in Ohio. ~hesia for M.Sc. Degree, The Ohio State University. Columbus, Ohio. -U-

Statement .2.t~ Problem

~he statement of the problem in analyzed form follows:

fa determine the importance of Young Men's J'a.rming Clubs in Ohip; and their value in their respective communities. To discover the relationship of this organization to other organizations in the community.

To present in an organized way the organization of the Grove City

Club and its development of a successful program of work.

To find out what 11 being done in other states.

SQYl9§ Material

Source material was limited, Mimeographed pamphlets of the Depart- ment of Agricultural B:Lucation, The Ohio State University, bulletins ot the Federal Board for Vocational Education, and books on education were atudied. A questionnaire was prepared and distributed among the teachers having organizations ot Farming Clubs at the annual conference of teachers of vocational agriculture in Columbus, Ohio, July 7-11, 1930. !his questionnaire, which is given in the appendix, waa also sent to other Ohio teachers reporting similar organizations in their annual reports. Twenty- six questionnaires were tilled out and returned. Most at the teachers filling these out were personally interviewed regarding their respective clubs. Letters were written to members of the ataft of the Federal Board for Vocational :eliucation, Division ot Vocational Agriculture. All leads suggested by them were followed. Young men in Ohio who had conducted project work apparently auccesstully were interviewed or written to. Very helpful experience has been gained by the writer thru five years work with the Grove City Young .Ken•s Parming Club. FAml ORGANlAb.TIONS IN OHIO

It is natural for people to gather into groups, either for social or commercial reasons. this tendency is as old as man-kind itself. Men and women, boys and girls, like to work under capable leadership. The outgrowth baa been the forming of numerous societies and organizations, bringing together those having common interests. In Ohio there are a number of such orge.ni~ations which have a following in the rural communities. However, most of these organizations are for adults or for children. Very little has been done to reach that group which is developing into young manhood. Farmers in Ohio have been members of the Grange since the early seventies. For the moat part the present Grange membership of 78,000 is made up of older people. To the credit of the Grange movement, it may be said th.at in some conmunitiea their programs have appealed to the young men. However, the percentage reached ia often very small.

Young people come to the Grange meetings for the social features, but it seems often become dissatisfied with the business sessions with which they are little concerned because this pa.rt of the meetings did not directly concern them. Unless there is something to hold their interest, they soon cease to be members.

In 1919 the Farm .Bureau Uovement became widespread throughout the etate. ~heir highest point in membership, about 75,000, waa reached in 1921-1922. At this time local organi~ationa were found in ~early every community in the state.l The membership was centered around the l 'fhe Farm Bureau in Ohio. fhe Ohio Fci-rm Bureau Federation, Columbus, Ohio.P. 8-lO, - 2 -

adult farmers who were actually engaged in farming. Teachers in this

study report that about 50 young men out of a total membership of 556

are farm bureau members.

Interests of the Fa.rm .Bureau were largely conunercial, { "It is a

service organization, furnishing part of its service direct and part

through &ftiliate6 marketing and purchasing agents.")1 Unless theJ

owned or had a share in the farm business, the young men had little in-

terest in this organization or its meetings.

ACTIVITIES FOR ClilLilREN AND YOUTH

We find an organized effort to reach the boys and girls through

4-H Club work. In 1929, there were 36,051 club members, 10,527 of whom

were boys. Boys and girls between the ages of 10 and 21 may become mem-

bers• .Most of the membership, however, is found in the lower age group. w. H. Palmer, State Club leader, reports the average Club age to be between 13-14 years. ~his being the case, 4-H Club work is also reaching

relatively few of our older boys and girls, aw only 7 out of 556 members

of the Young lilen' s Farming Clubs are club membera. 2

.Boys and girls in this state are compelled by law to go to school

until they are 18 years of age unless they are granted working certifi-

cates after they are 16 years of age. !hus, until they drop out of or

graduate trom high school, they are engaged in worth while activities

in a definite organized body, such as the Hi-Y, Future Farmera of Ameri-

ca, Literary Societies, Debating, Musical and Athletic Clubs. Teachers

~he Farm Bureau, op. cit., P. 10. 4fabulated Data from Questionnaire in appendix. - 3 - and school officials take an active part in promoting the welfare of the group a11d directing their programs. Until this period in their lives, older men and women have been concerned with their interests. Bow the time comes when the older people are not particularly concerned about them &Jld, because of their active nature and other interests, the youth do not wish to become a part ot the organizations in which their fathers and mothers are members. fhey are easily affected by outside influence. at a time when vocationa.1 guidance is of the utmost importance. Guidance must come from the home, the employer or the school. ·~he teacher of vocational agriculture, as a representative of the school, has a responsi- 1 bility of prime importance" in developing a satisfactory program of activities for this group which are neither children nor adults. They belong in neither class and are only trying to find themselve,. In most communities the younger men do not have a central organization and too often they loat around places, often undesirable, for want of a better place to spend their evenings.

BlillINNING OF ~HE FARMING CLU:B MOViMENr

In lebraary 1922, w. F. Bruce, Critic teacher of vocational agriculture at Hamilton Township School, :rranklin County, Ohio, set about to organize this group of young men in his cozmnunity into a definite orga.ni~a- tion following the completion of a succesatul course of instruction in farm shop. This was the first Young Ken's Farming Club organized in the state. Its purp·1ses were to secure better social, educational and recre- lGeorge E. l,fyer1, Problem• ot Vocational Guidance. p. 45. fhe Il4acm1llan Company. ••• York. • - 4 - ational activities for its members. They immediately started wwrldng to accomplish these aims because "They built a farm shop and machinery building the first summer, the school board furnishing the material, and the club voluntary labor. Baseball and basketball teams ~ere organi£ed. They helped put on a corn and grain show at the Farmer's Institute the following winter." 1

The Ohio State Board for Vocational Eiucation was so impressed with the possibilities of the work ~ith this young men's group, that in 1924- 1925, Kr. Bruce was employed to conduct a survey ot young men on farms in representative communities of the state. !wenty-one vocational teachers volunteered to cooperate in the survey, which was designated as a part- time survey. Part-time work has been designated aa work with groups, the majority of whom are 16 to 25 years ot age.

POSSIBILIT I~ FOR .14.EMBIBSHIP IN YOUNG MD'S FAB.MIJ:G CLUBS

•A. preliminary survey indicated that the age 11mits should be fixed at 16 to 25 years. A total ot 709 young men, or an average ot 34 per community, were located. It was deemed desirable to extend the part-time survey in 1926-192?, 10 that a random sampling of school districts could be studied and additional data secured. Of the 185 communities offering vocational agriculture courses, 92 located in 53 counties ot the state, were included in the survey. In these 92 communitiea 3,570 young men were located in a total area of 4,317 aqua.re miles, an average ot .83 per

lw.meogra.phed pamphlet, Young Men's Farming Clubs. Department of Agri- cultural Bduoation, Ohio State University. P. 2. - 5 -

I quare mile.ttl

~lf the results o:f' this survey be extended to the 185 communities offering courses in 1926-192?, and to other high schools enrolling more

tm.n 25 :f'arm boys, approximately 14,478 young men 16 to 26 years of age would be available for part-time instruction in the 376 communities, poaae1sing or eligible to full-time vocational agricultural departmenta."2

"The typiaal young man in this part-time group was 20 years o:f' age, single, located 4.1 miles from school and had no reaponaibility for the management o:f' the farm."3

!!!HE ORGANIZATION AND DEVELOP.l.llim OF A TYPICAL

YOUNG 1.1m•s FAlWING CLUJ3

!he organization and development of the Grove City, Ohio, chapter of the Young Men's Farming Club, with which the writer has been associated during the last tive yea.re, aervea as an example of how this movement became established in a oonmunity, and haw lived and found a place in the livea ot its members.

Barly in 1923, Jlr. J. B • .MoClelland, now Assistant State Supervisor of Vocational Agriculture in Ohio, then critic teacher at Grove City, through personal visita, news articles and letter•, enrolled 18 young men ot the community in a machinery and gas engine short courae.4 fheir ages ranged from 16 to 26 years. fhis was the first time that many of these

,m.y Fite, The Organization and Financing of Vocational :Education in Ohio. lederal Board tor Vooa.tional Biucation. .Bulletin 144, Agricultural Series 37, PP• 43, 45. :Ibid. P• 45. Ibid. P• 46. 4iu.meographed. pamphlet, Young l4en• 1 Farming Clube. Department ot Agri- oultural .Education, Ohio State University. p. 2. young men had met, and as a result new friendships were formed. !he next winter many ot this same group met with the teacher in the evenings in the tarm ahop room ot the high school building tor a aeries of lessons in shop work, such as rope splicing, knot tiei:ng, tool sharpening, saw filing, soldering and woodworking. By this time they had become better acquainted with each other and more interested in wbat the othera were doing aocially and at home, Learning ot the activities of the Hamilton township Club in an adjoing townahip, they accepted an invita- tion to attend a meeting of this club, thereby became acq1.W.inted with their program and organization. The Grove City boys were so well pleased with their reception that they invited their neighbors to install their group as a ••Young Men's

1&rming Club," llighteen charter members were initiated into the organization in »a.rob, 1924~ ~hie was the third club formed in the state, the second one having been formed at Centerburg in Knox County two months earlier. Prom this start of 18 charter members, the Grove City Club has grown to its present membership of 43 young men as shown in ~able I.

!ilLE I

GROW'tH OJ 1'HE GROVE CITY YOUNG MEN'S P'ARW:m CLUB

Status of Jlember1h1p 1 J12, Ji25 lSCig H=22 li2& li2i ;Li30 Old members 18 26 29 36 36 38 liew memb era 18 10 6 10 'I 3 8 Dropped out a I ~ 'I I fatal membership 18 26 29 36 36 38• 43 - 7 -

The unusual increase in membership the second year was due to young men joining the club who were eligible as charter members, but did not wish to become members at that time. In the si2 years that it has been an organized club it has reached 62 young men living in the conmunity, between 16 and 25 years of age. Some have dropped out tram year to year but the membership has steadily increased. The map which follows shows the homes at all members of the Grove City Young Men•a Farming Club since its organization. The respective figures opposite the symbols show the number ot years each member has bean active in the group. Present membership is ehown as 1, former members as o.

- 9 -

!he territory served by this organization conforms very closely With the Grove City sohool district. this is in accord with tbe part-

time survey taken in.92 conmuuities in 1926-1927.1 In only four cases

has the membership extended very muo~ beyoJ:¥1 the school district. In

each case this can be explained through certain friendships existing

between the boys who were members and those who were not, and the de-

sire ot these non,.membera outside of the district to become a part ot the group.

!he Young Ken•a Jarming Club organization has had a wholesome influence on its members. Boys have been willing to work together for

8.tl1 enterprise the club was fostering. In the spring ot 1927, the club decided to introduce certified seed corn in the community With the result that 23 boys, or two-thirds of the membership, from 18 tarma bought 26 buehels. ~hey have taken the reaponaibility of financing a grain show at the annual iarmer• 1 Institute. All have had a part in providing the entertainment to raise the necessary funds.

In oaae of disagreement, the policy ot the club bas been to discuss thoroughly the question at h.lnd and to let a ma.Jori ty vote decide. As long as such , an attitude continues, the club should continue to grow, perhaps not in membership, but in the activities of its members, and consequently it should exert a more wholesolll8 influence on community life.

1nay Fife, op. cit. - 10 ..

PA.m-TD4E OOURS.!f8 ESENT!AL TO THE ESTABLISH.14Effl! OF YOUNG .MEN'S FARMI:tn CLO.BS

'fABLE II

THE GROWTH OF YOUNG .MEN'S FAru.iING CLUBS SHOWING THE RE!A'l'ION OF THE NUMBER OF DEPARTM.il;TS OF VOCATIONAL AGBICULTURE AND THE NUJ.lB.!m OF P~-TIME COUES~ FOR NINE YEARS, 1922 TO 19301

:1.2g; J.9~3 J.2~i :Li~§ :1.2g§ J.927 12~§ 19~9 ;l930 !lumber of departments offering vocational agriculture. 86 113 134 154 173 185 196 191 192 Humber ot departments offering part-time No work. 3 5 data 23 46 61 75 55 40 Number of departments having Joung Men'• Farming Clubs. 1 l 3 8 20 35 65 47 34 Per cent ot depart- ment1 having Young lien' 1 Farming Clubs that offer part-time work. 33 20 34.7 68.8 57.3 87.8 87.3 85

It will be noted from an examination of Table II that there 1a a

close relationship between the organization of YoUIJg Ken's P'arming Clubs

and the establishment of part-time work in the different communities. fhe number of departments offering part-time courses doubled, from 1926

to 1928, and Young l4en' s larming Clubs increased from 20 to 65 in the same period. One of the principal reasons for this waw the emphasis

being placed on this type of instruction in the state program of work.

1J. B. McClelland., Agricultural Instruction for Part-Time Groups in Ohio, Pirst part of Table Years 1922-25 inclusive. P. 7. - 11 -

Another eeason for this see:as to be that, after the young men have

been meeting together for several weeks studying a conmon problem,

they desire some sort of an organization and a tarm club group is

the natural outcome. this 11 desirable from the bo1s• standpoint in

that they can oome together in a soo1&1 and business group at a time

they would othel"llise be wcattered and not have a common interest. It

is also desirable from the 1nstructor•a viewpoint, in that it ena.bles

him to keep in touch with the group throughout the year, and when he

desires to begin short course work the following year, an enrollment

is usually assured. Instead of spending considerable time in enrol-

ling member• he is better able to organize and conduct part-time meet-

ing11. Teachers of agriculture and extension leaders in the past have

found it easier to work w1 th school boys and girls, on the one hand, and adults on the other, neglecting the intermediate group ranging in age trom 16 to 25, which are generally known as the part-time group. In the spring of 1927, the writer made a survey of the Grove

City community and found 60 young men between the ages of 16 and 25

living on farms in a territory much the same as the one from which the all-day students came. An effort baa been am is still being made to form contacts with these young men. ~he map shows that this effort has been unsuccessful in the district north of Grove Oity. ~his can be pirtially accounted for by the influence of the City of

Colwnbua. In this adjoining district many owner, of amall homes are

foUlJd working in Columbus. Their interests center in town and not in

the country. - 12 -

fhe writer finds that it is relatively easy to enroll yollllg men in part-time workwbo are interested in tarming. fhis is largely due

to the Young Men's Farming Club organization to which most of the part-

time s tud.enta belong. fhe part-time enrollment and Young Men's farming

Club memberahip are practically the same. as is shown in Table 111.

TABLE III

THE RELA.T IONSHIP Bl!.~EEN FAR.lliNG CLUB MEL,iBlmS AND PAm-TIJ4E EmlOLLMEN? AT GROVE CI~Y BY YEARS PROJ4 1924 !l!O 1930

1924 19i5 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 Farming club membership. 18 26 29 36 16 38 43 Part-time enrollment. 23 27 30 33 38 42

A young man must attend three meetings before he is counted in the pa.rt-time enrollment. !able III indicates that there is a very close

relationship between the enrollment and the farming club membership. At no time has there bean more than five enrolled in part-time courses who were not aambera of the Farming Club. The variation has bean one or

less for fota' years of the seven.

INT:JJ:RE3TS OF THE ORGANiilTION

The form that a Farming Club organization may take de·pends upon the ability of the instructor '"nd the personnel of the group. It nay easily beco~e an organization featuring athletics if the students come • 13 -

for basketball and not for part-time meetings. Or again, it may be en-

tirely educational or social. The interests of the club, educational,

athletic, and social were given the ranking shown in Table IV by 25 teachers promoting them.

TABLE IV

INTEB.U3TS OF YOUNG MEN'S FARMING CLUBS AS RANKED BY TW~Y-SIX INSTRUCTORS •

Kind of Interests First Second Third &3,nking

Educational 21 l 4 69 Athletic 2 16 9 46 Social 3 10 13 42

It Will be seen that the educational aim of the club, receiving a

total rating of 69, is foremost in the minds of the teachers. In 1927,

a study somewhat similar was made of the interests of 50 young men, as shown in Table v.

!ABLE V

RANKING OF PAl'ff•TlME WORK BY 1''1 FTY YOUNG MENl u

lim. 2, in~~1:i1!1 l![li a~gQ~ Z~ti& ,:o:g.i:th Janki:gg Jlanagerial type2 22 8 10 8 140 Supervised practice of project work. 11 16 11 11 125

• Iotes Three points were given for a rank of first, two points for second, and one point for third. •• Notes rour point, were given for a rank of first, three points for second, two points for third, and one point for fourth. lJ. B. KoClelland, op. cit. P. 40. 2Jlanagerial courses are courses such as poultry or swine production which give the students a chance to analyze siti.ationa a:a:t apply the information to their own cases. Mechanical C,;urses a.re operative and give the students an opportunity to develop new 1.killa. Projects or supervised practice offer• the pupil an opportunity to put into practice new ideas under the supervision of the instructor. - 14,..

TABLE V (Continued)

~11!1 gt: i11t~t§1ta li;t§t §g~g~ ih!.:s J:o:g.th ~nking Mechanical type ot oourae. 14 9 16 6 121--386

Social pa.rt ot work. 3 15 8 22 95--481

!he educational interest of Table IV includes the types ot courses, both managerial am mechanical, am supervised practice of project work given in this table. ~he educational aim is given more importance by the young men than by the teachers, as it was given a total ranking of 386 points out of a possible 481. The social part of the program waa ranked in fourth place by 22 young men. The evidence is rather conclu- sive that this group of young men were interested in attending the meetings with the intent of better preparing themselves for their jobs. In- terests of both pupil and teacher as shown in Tables IV and V are in accord that the primary purpose of Young Ken• s Farming Club organizations should be educational, and that athletic and social activities are secon- dary.

J.frHBEBSHIP IN YOUNG MEN'S FARMING CLUBS

The common practice in the organization of a farming club is to bring the young men together for a. number of part-time meetings on a sub- ject of general interest to the group. After they have found this instruction and other group activities worthwhile, it is relatively easy to form an organization. Young men between 16 and 25 years of age living on farms and who are not regularly enrolled in school are eligible for membership. • 15 •

Older men may be accepted as members of the club if it ia found ad- visable. High school boys are accepted as members in 4 out of 25 clubs reporting. They are not usu.ally encouraged. to attend part-time meetings, because they lack the background of experience that the young men possess. In this connection it is timely to note the answer to the question, ttshould we combine the Young Men's !arming Club with the

Future Farmers of America Ohapter?"1 It was the opinion of 19 out of 24 teachers reporting that this should not be done. The folloWiIJg objec- tions were given to this propositions

A difference in interests, both educational and social.

l'uture Farmer activities center aroUDl high school; Young Jlen'a Farming Club activities center around outside interests.

Leaders would always be chosen from the older group, thus depriving the young boys of this opportunity and experience. feachers find it desirable at different times throughout the year to hold joint meetings of the two organizations. fhey may work on a common activity each having ita own responsibilities.

!he Grove City high school boys and young men had a pest hunt during the winter of 1927-1928, in which members of the :rarming Club opposed the students in vocational agric.'Ulture. Ea.ch side made their own plana and carried them out. Although opposed to each other they were working for a common good. At other times they have gone on tours together.

Since the two groupa have a working relationship with each other, the result is that when boys are no lo:cger Future Farmer member•, they

1Puture Farmers ot America is a national organization of high achool boys taldng courses in vocational agriculture. - 16 - naturally become members of the other organization. If they bave been active in their own organization, a plaoe is ma.de for them in the older group after a time, and they are given an opportunity to bear new reaponaibilities. ~la earlier training makes them more valuable members to the older organization. A Young Men' a Farming Club gives the high school boys something to look forward to and a high school organization eerves as a feeder to the farming club.

TABLE VI

PmCENTAG:B OF AVAILABLE YOUNG MEN ENROLLED BY YOUNG MEN'S FAR.Ml& CLUBS IN TWEN.rt-FIVE1 COAWUNITI.Fl3

Per oent Enrollment Number of Communities Q - 2°" 3 21 - 40$ 6 41 - 6~ 7 61 - 8~ 7 81 - 100% 2

At the present time it would appear from an examination of Table

VI tru:\t the young men• e organizations do not have as large a percentage membership as they should of.the young men in their respective communities. Sixteen of the 25 do not have more than 60% ot the boys available as club members, and nine organizations are enrolling 40% or less of the available young men. TABLE VII

VAIUATION IN YOUNG wm•s FABMING CLUB GIBERSHIP IN 26 CLU.BS

Bange in llemb erahip Jrumber ot Clubs 10-15 9 16-20 4 21-25 6 26-30 4 31-35 l 36-40 l 41-45 l • 17 -

~he 26 clubs on which data were given had a total membership ot

556. IJ!his gives an average membership of 21 per club. De.ta in the appendix shows that the membership ranges from 10 to 43. The membership of 19 of the clubs was 25 or less. It ha.a been shown in !able VI that 16 of the clubs are enrolling less than 60 per cent of the available yoUDg men. !his beiDg the caae, it would aeem that there is an opportunity to increase club membership in theae comm.unities. In the writer's opinion, the chief difficulty in the way of a larger membership seems to be that of not being able to enroll the young men in part-time courses.

In 21 organization, cooperating in this study, the membership is reported to be on a rather stable basis, as given in table VIII.

TABLE VIII

STATUS OF YOUNG 11.EN' S FAB.Il4DIG CLUB MEMBdtSHIP FOR TWO I.FA.RS 1928 TO 1930

Status ot J4embership Humber of Organizations

Inoreasecl 9 Decreased l Constant 11

In only one case has the membership ot the club decreased, in 9 there has been an increase in membership. !his appears to be a good en- dor/1ement for these clubs. '!he membership in these clubs 11 changing, if the data for the Grove City Club on page 6, may be considered typical. It ia interesting .to note the reasons given by the teachers for loss in mem,.. bership. !!hese reaeons are tablulated in Table IX. - 18 •

TABLE IX R.&.SOES WHY YOUZ 1mN DBOP our OF YOUNG l4EN1 S FAru.UNG CLUBS

Reasons Given feachera Reporting Ia.ck of tncational interest 14 Marry 12 Grow old 4 Uninteresting meetings 4 Not enough athletics 3 :llove away 2 Do not like crowd 1 !oo tired 1

As the boys grow older and ns.rry, they have new interests and re- aponsibilitie1 and it is to be expected that they will drop out of the organization.

!he high percentage of those dropping out because of a "lack ot vocational interest" and "uninteresting meetings" would appear to de-

serve consideration by those teachers responsible for the organization and welfare of the club.

THE CONSTITUlION OF THE YOUNG MEN'S

F.A.RmNG CLU:S ORGANIZA.T ION

A constitution ia adopted 100n after a club is organized, which sets forth the aims of the organ! za t ion, makes prov! si on for securi:i:ig new members, gives the duties of the officers and the form in which meetings shall be held.1

~he constitution of the Grove City club is given in the appendix. ~hia constltution waa mimeographed by the Department ot Agricultural Educa- tion and sent to teachers of vocational agriculture conducting part- time groups in 1925. - 19 -

Officers, selected by the club, are in charge ot the meetings.

!hey conduct the meetings in due torm.l ~his 1a a valuable feature in that it give, training which prep:i.res for the future leadership in larger community organizations. A number of these club leaders have assumed places of leadership in their home conmunitiee, in leading or assisting with Farmer• 1 Institute, Grange, Farm Bureau, and community :tair1.

INITIATION CEREMONY OF ~HE YOUEG MEN'S F.AR.MING CLUBS

An initiation aeremo?l1' was a pa.rt of the original program. Of the 26 clubs included in a survey by the writer, only 5 continue to use this feature. Whether it should be used or not depends on the community and. the desires o:t the local group. In a community opposed to secret organizations it would be rather unwise to use an initiation service as this might easily doom the organization to failure from the beginning.

In other communities, it may strengthen the organization. Sucp aeema to be the case in the writer• s district. Applicants are required to sign a petition, asking for admission in the club.2 before they are voted on. If a favorable vote i1 given they are asked to come prepared tor initiation at the next regular meeting. !he initiation can be divided into three pa.~a,- entertainment, education and lecture. fhe entertainment part of the initiation varies from time to time so that the candidate will not know what is coming next. The initiation committee worka up stunts of different kinds to provide aauaementa

1AppeDdix, Constitution of Young Men's Farming Clubs. 2lbid. - 20 -

for the old members without too much embarrassment to the initiate. Ordinarily, two oandidatea a.re initiated together so they can help

initiate each other if desired. Care must be taken that the initiation does not become too rough.

One particular lesson that has been used as a IBrt of the educa-

tional feature 11 to have the candidate sign a paper which is the oppo-

site of his intentions. He is brought into the dimly lighted room,

blind-folded. !he blind-fold is removed and he is asked to sign this

pa.per which is the same as his original application, except that the word mor is placed in the context 10 as to make it read that he does not favor the things previously petitioned for. When later this application is read, he denies ever having signed it and will' hardly believe his own aign;:1ture. He learns the lesson, in a rather forceful manner, never to sign anything without carefully reading it.

In the lecture, generally given by the president, the member is

given the pass word, and. the voting sign. He is instructed in how to

enter a meeting in session, the proper way to withdraw from a meeting and the duties of membership. The new member is maCe to feel that the

initiation has educational features for himself, as wall as being in-

terestiDg to the old members.

PROGBA.M OF 'NORK OF YOUNG .MEN'S FARMING CLUBS

All o:f' the Young Men• a !'arming Clubs in thia inveatigati on have pro-

grams of work for either nine or twelve months. They were equally divided between the two. Thirteen schools had a nine months program and thirteen had a twelve months program. ~he chief interests in the summer - 21 - are given as socials, trips, and athletics in the order named.

The success of any organization depends on i ta having a good program which gives the members something to do. An organization can not expect to accomplish very much unless this program is detini te. fhe most successful farming clubs have had definite organized activities.

!he program for the Grove City Club, which has been considered successful by workers in this field is given for 1929 and 1930.

January Pu.t on short play at Farmer• s Institute Start :rs.rm Accounts February · Visit Greenfield Young lle~.I Farming Club, and two good farmers in the community - one a master farmer.

March Visit Hamilton Township Young Men's Farming Club.

Apri1 Plan spring party. Hold party.

May Show .Master Parmer slides

June Picnic

Jul7 Plan tour. Have a meeting with County .lgricultural Agent and Extension Specialist •

.A.ugust !I!ake tour of Northern Ohio

September Business meeting. Discuss la.st tour and plan for tour for next year.

October Kake part-time course plans. Ballowe• en party.

November Begin part-time course on Principles of Breeding. Start basketball. Buy shot gun shells cooperatively.

December Work out year's program for 1930. Complete Farm Accounts. Kake preparations for Farmer•• Institute. - 22 -

January Sumnarize Farm Accounts. Put on pJ.a.y for evenings entertainment at Farmer•a Institute. Provide music for this session. Finance corn show.

FebruarJ Entertain Greenfield Young Jlen•s J'arming Club, secure a State University speak.er for the occasion. Com- plete part-time course. March Athletic program

April Spring dance Bee keeping for profit June Picnic

July Plan tour of Western Ohio

August !ak.e tour of Westerp Ohio September Have meeting with County A.gri Clll tural Agent

October Plan for pa.rt-time course. Ballowe• en party

November Begin part-time course• .Buy shot gun shells cooperatively.

Devember Work out program for 1931. Complete Farm Accounts. Start pest campaign.

In these programs an effort has been made to appeal to the interests of all members of the organization. That this effort has been success:tul is shown by the attendance at meetings whether they are educational (10? meetings with an average attendance of 20), or social (average attelldance of 50 young men and women). Athletics bas had a part in the program, but bas always followed the educational meetings. Light refreshments are served by the social committee once a month during the Winter. No refreshments are served during the summer as the meetings are held at irregular periods. About one-third of the clubs reporting hold meetings regularly in the summer, the others do not hold meetings at this time - 23 - or else at irregular periods.

~he activities of the club have been educational, recreational, and social. Sometimes these activities stand out separate and alone, at other times they merge together. "Life is activity, initiated and sustained to satisfy wants."1 The program of the Grove City Club has been planned to give activity to the members in mind and body. Educa- tional features have varied to appeal to the interests of all. It would seem that the succel8 of the club has been due to a well rounded program. In the following pages the activities of the Grove City Club are given in detail.

Part-time courses generally take the place of special programs in the winter. At other times, club members or outside speakers discuss subjects which will be of general interest to the club. ~he choice of subjects varies from time to time, depending on the interests of the group. The following subjects have been discussed at the meetings,

l. Value of lime. 2. Buying high grade fertilizer. 3. Keeping farm accounts. ,. Establishing a pure bred herd. 5. Tillage practices. 6. What is new in machinery? 7. Care and management of bees. 8. Finance for the farmer. 9. ICuropean corn borer. 10. Use of concrete on the farms.

At other times debates are held between members of the club. These have proven to be worthwhile to both the debaters and the audience.

Kotion pictures have been used very little because there is no ma- chine available. Pictures have been secured through the United States

lArthur I. Gates, B. L. Thorndike, Elementary Principles of Education, p. 17. The Macmillan Company, :ltew YQ-rlt. - 24 - •

Department of Agriculture on SW1ne Sanitation and Poultry Raising, and

from Intermtional Harvester Company on tractors. ~he County Agricul-

ture Extension Agent cooperated by securing a us.chine and opere.ting it.

Slides showing the homes and fai,ns of Master Farmers have been used..

!hese have been unusually interesting as later the boys visited some of

these on a tour. fhe Hamilton Township club own.a a moving picture ma-

chine. !hey use it to show educational reels at their meetings, also popular films for profit before commwu.ty audiences.

Practice in parliamentary drill has been given as a phase of this work. Outlines ot parliamentary proceedings were i;aased out to the boys. fhese were atudied and discussed by the group. Different members of the group were then made chairmen. !hey proceeded to handle the discussion

to the best of their ability. When some difficulty arose, all used their reference sheets to determine how it might be remedied. Since this was the first time that some of the boys bad ever acted as chairmen it was rather difficult for them, however, they considered the effort worthwhile.

TRIPS CONDUCTED BY YOUNG MEN'S FARMING CLUB

~he first trip taken by the Grove City Young Ken's Farming Club waa to the Seven cavea, in Highland County, about 60 miles from Grove City, in June 1927. !he purpose of the trip waw largely social, as the

Young lien took their girl friends if they cared to. Dinner was taken by members am at ooon 1pread on a lmoll overlooking a ravine. ~he day was spent exploring the cavea and wandering around through this bit of Nature•, Wonderland. Thie trip waa ot special importance as it tended to enlarge the outlook of some of the boys. Some of them had never

been more than a few miles away trom home. To· spend a day in a hilly

country, broken by creeks and ravines, with interesting cavea, was a

new experience. This activity waa to pave the way for other tripe ot

a different nature later•

.Kembers of the Greenfield part-time course visited Grove City in li4arch, 1928, and were regularly initiated as a Farming Club. They in-

vited the Grove City Club to visit them in Febru:1ry, 1929. Thetr invi-

tation was accepted by 27 of the Grove City boys. On the day of the

trip the boys from Grove City arrived at Greenfield about 3100 P. M. They went in the afternoon in order that they might visit Mr. Jacob

Wh1 te, a Master Farmer, who has an excellent herd of pure bred Jersey

cattle, and Mr. Paul Wilson, a breeder of Baron English White Leghorns,

both of whom live near Greenfield. llr. Harris, Superintendent of Green-

field achools,took the boys on a tour of the Greenfield school system, which is generally considered as being one of the finest and best

equipped school plants in the United States. This fine outlay of buil-

dings and equipnent, costing about $3,000,000, made a lasting impres-

sion on the boys.

In the evening both Young Men's Farming Clubs met in joint short course meeting in Fa.rm Management. .Both groups took i;e.rt in the dis-

cussions, led by J. F. Johnson, Instructor of Vocational Agriculture

at Greenfield. After the short course meeting, opposing teams from

the two schools met in a friendly game of bask.etball, at the close of

which, lunch was served by the Greenfield Club in the school cafeteria. .. 26 -

An impromptu program followed during which short talka were made by the club preaiden'la, the vocational agri~-ulture instructors ani the principal of the Greenfield school. fhe Grove City boys returned home feeling that they had had a wonderful time a.nd hoping they might retUl'D. the courtesies shown them.

A tour through Northern Ohio wa.s taken by fifteen members of the club in August, 1929. Thia trip extended over three days and covered a distance of 426 miles. Stopa were nade at Jlr. George A. Dix's, a breeder of Percheron horses at Delaware; Jlr. Paul .118.rNell'a, dairyman at cardington, ll'B.nsfield. Reformatory, .Mansfield; Wayne Poultry J'arma,

Wooster; !he Ohio Agricultural E:itperiment station, Wooster; Jlr. A. c.

Bamseyer, »aster l'anner, Smithville; and Ir& Marshall, Champion corn grower, Dola. Other points of interest included a visit to Lake Brie,

Bd.iaon's old home at W.lan, and the former home of President Rutherford

B. Hayes at Fremont. this trip was considered so aucoessful by the boys that they began upon their return home to make plans for a similar trip next year.

With the help ft Mr. L. L. Rummell of the Ohio Farmer, plans were made for a tour through West Central Ohio in Augu.st, 1930. !his was made by 12 club members. Visita were paid the London Prison Fann at London; A. E. ilildman, Selma; o. A. Dobbins, Master Farmer, Cedarville; Scarff Brothers, New O&rlisle; Reathaven ,arm, Troy; John P. Gasson, Master Farmer, Versailles. Plans were made to viait either the National Cash Register or Frigidaire factories at De.yton if they had been in operation. - 27 -

Other interesting places seen on this tour were Clifton Gorge,

Jaacachee Oaatle, lake St. Marys and Ohio Caverns. This tour offered those participating an opportunity to see new farming pra.oticea and to learn new methods besides seeing some of lfs.ture•s Wonderland. Annual tours provide an interesting feature during the summer when it is difficult to maintain interest. Twenty-one of the teachers reporting in this study have taken tours with YoWJg Men' a Farming Clubs.

TA.Bl& :X

!OURS TAKEN .BY YOUNG l4EN' S FARMING CLUBS AS REPORTED BY NENfY-0:NE TFACHm5

Place• Visited Humber ot Teachers Reporting Bxperiment Station 12 !he Ohio State University 6 Jlaster Farmers 6 Stockyards 7 Other achool1 6 Other trips 10

ATHLBr 10 PROGRAll OF YOUNG MEN'S FA.BMING CWBS

Athletics were placed second in the interests of the club by the teacher, in !able IV,, page 13. It the writer may judgie trom the experiences of the teachers over the state, it ia possible to assume that basketball aids in maintaining interest in short courses meetings. It is the Chief athletic activity of the clubs• .Basketball must not be placed first in the minds of the boys. It athletics 11 allowed to dominate the procedure, experience in a few cases would lead the writer to believe that the educational features of the meetings would soon become ot little importance. - 28 -

!he Grove City Club has had the privilege of using the high school gymnasium after the short course and business meeting of the club. All farm boys who wish to play basketball nn1st attend the short course meeting first, then, if they care to, they ~Y play basketball thirty to forty-five minutes. About half' of those attending avail themselves of this opportunity. !he other half discuss problems with the teacher or members, may watch for a time or go home. !hose wishing to play choose up sides and play to the enjoyment of all. On other occasions, a team is selected by the captain to play outside teams. An objection to this, is that it may detract from the interest of the boys during the regular club meeting. !he requirements for club membership must be kept clearly in mind. If not, those boys desiring a strong basketball team may urge the membership of good athletes to the general detriment of the club.

SOCIAL PROGRAM OF YOUNG MEN'S FABMING CLUBS

Reference to the Grove City program of work, page 20, reveals that two or three social gatherings are held during the year. At these social gatherings, club members invite their girl friends or sisters if they care to. fhe form these parties nay take depends on the committee in charge. A d.a.nce am card party is held in April following the completion of the annual short course. fhia is commonly held in a pub- lic hall. ~he music is furnished by an orchestra from the club.

A Hallowe'en party is held at the home of one of the members to increase the general interest in the organization. Picnics are held during the summer by some of the clubs. These generally take the form of • 29 - an outing at some pleasure spot. !!!he writer has found it very conveni- ent to let the boy1 plan and direct their own social functions, only offering an occasional word of advice.

!he Grove City Club acted aa host to the Greenfield Young Men's

Farming Club in February 1930. A program was planned at which Dr. Gay of the Animal Husbandry Department of the Ohio State University was the chief speaker. After this, the two teams engaged in an interesting game of basketball. Lunch was then served, followed by brief remarks by the respective presidents and teachers in charge. !his exchange of visits by two cluba not separated too tar geographically is to be commended. It gives the group something to look forward to, new friendships are formed, and new practices are learned through the visita to another community.

PLA.YS GIVEN BY Youm ll.EN'S FARMING CLUBS

Young lien' a Fa?ming Club have put on playa in 9 of' the 26 communities reporting in this study. fhe writer find.a that this type of work appeals to the young men. '!!he Grove City Club has put on plays each year from 1927 to 1930, inclusive, during the Farmer's Institute, to pay the expenses of the Grain Show held in connection with it. After all expenses are paid, the balance is placed in the club treaaurf. . A play committee is appointed to select the play and the cast, and to see that it is properly directed. !he success in the end depends largely on this committee, so it is very necessary that their appointment be given careful consideration. - 31 •

Other committees necessary are, ticket, mu110, ush•ring and pro- perty, to take care of their respective partw. Bven though the club has a large membership, work is easily found.for all. Kuch of the

club's success 1n this activity seems to be due to the arrangements whereby all members take part. !his activity brings them in diraat contact with the Farmer'• Institute, its officer• and program. A com-

mittee from the club has been appointed each year to supervise the grain emibit at the Institute. !his committee makes out the premium list and

drawa up the rules of the show. They help the vocational agriculture

boys prepare tables for the exhibits, but give the younger boys the re-

sponsibility for handling the grain. Pifteen other departments reported th0t Young Men's Farming Clubs

have helped conduct :rarmer'• Institute a:nd eight have aided by putting on e:zhibits at local faire.

Pli'B'r HUm'S HELD BY YOUNG MEN'S FARMING CLUBS

The Grove City Young Ken's 1'&:rming Olub fostered a peat hunt during the winter of 1927-1928 With the vocational agriculture boys, in which 13 hawks, 18 crows, 2,776 rats, 3,431 mice and 3,747 1parrows were

destroyed. Six other yoUJJg men's oluba ha.Te put on similar campaigns. ~he destruction of common pests in such quantities means a considerable

a&Ving to a collllluni ty. !he United States Department ot Agriculture re-

ports that a grown rat wi 11 destroy $2.00 worth of grain annually. - 31 -

PABEN'.C AND SON BANQ.trar HELD BY

Youm MEN' s FARMING CLUl3S

!en ot these twenty-six Young Ken's Farming Clubs have helped put on parent and son banquets. fhis event is commonly held Jointly with the local lu.ture Parmers ot America Chapter. Committee, tram both organizations are selected to plan the menu and arrange a program. !his makes a desirable feature as it unites both groups in a common enterprise. More parents are brought in direct contact with the work of the Department of Vocational Agriculture. An op.. portUllity is given to better acquaint them with the program in vocational agriculture through talks and demonstrations by the boys, following the banquet. They enjoy visiting the shop aui class room.

PAR!-flME COUBSli8 HELD BY YOUNG MSN' S FARMiliG CLUBS

Part-time work is the most important activity engaged in by Young Ken's farming Olubs. It will be seen from table IV, page 13, that the educational aims are more important than athletic or social. In ~able v, page 13, titty part-time students also placed the educational -pa.rt of the work as the most important. Twenty-tive oluba in this study have fostered one or more part- time courses as is shown in fable XI. - 32 -

!A.BLE XI PART-TIME COURS~ SPONSOR.ED BY YOUNG MEN'S FARMING CLUBS

lfumbe:r of Courses Number ot Club•

l 5 2 6 3 6 4 2 5 4 6 0 7 2 8 0 9 l

Five of the clubs have only had one part-time course, 20 have had 2 or more, 14 have had 3 or more courses.

fhe Grove City Club leads all the clubs in Ohio in the number of

courses ottered to a single group. One or more courses have bean given

each year since 1922-1923. Allot these c0urse1 have bean given to the

group 16 to 25 years old. Three of the boys enrolled in the course this year were enrolled in the first course, eight years ago. Although tb.4ly

are now more than 26 years of age they continue to meet with the club.

Nfhe primary purpose of part-time classes in agriculture 11 to pro-

vide instruction for the large group ot boys and you:ng men who are on farms, and who may profit by systematic instruction in vocational agri-

oulture."l Theee part-time classes have reached the 62 boys affiliated with the Grove City club at one time or another, and in addition to this, 5 others, who have not been club members. !hus a total cit 67 yoUl'lg men

1it. lf. Stewart, A. K. Getman, !reaching Agricultural Vooa tiona. John Wiley and Sona. Hew York. P. 52. - 33 - in this one community have had the advantage of one or more courses ot instruction.

fhe Young Men• 1 Farming Club has been an important factor in making it possible not only to enroll such a large number, but also to hold their interests over a period of years. This organization bas been largely responsible for securing the snrollment. In tact, they make up the enrollment very largely.

TABLE Xll REIATIONSHIP Blm/Zi:N CLUB ll.FliI.BdiS}lIP .um A.TT~CE Af THE FmST PAm!-TIME MEETING A.f GROVE CITY

19?5 1926 192'1 1928 1929 Club membership 2'1 30 33 38 43 Attendance at first part-time meeting 26 28 28 35 25

According to Table XII this attendance of young men at the first instructional meeting o~ the school year is an excellent argument for a definite orga.n1£ation. fhe instructor has not nee~ed to give much thought to securing an enrollment. ~he group has been there year after year ready for organi~ed instruction.

1Peraonal racorda of the author. • 34 ..

TABLE XIII

PARl!-TIME COURS.ES OFF.Eli.lID AT GROVE CITY

1922-23 Farm Machinery, Gas Bngine• 1923-24 Shop 1924-25 Dairy and Tractor• 1925-26 Poultry, ram Machinery am Ga.a Engine• 1926-27 SWine 1927-28 Soil Improvement through Legumes and Fertilizer 1926-29 rs.rm lta.na.gement 1929-30 Principles of Breeding

Each of these courses has been selected by the group as the one in which they were the most interested at the time. Plana for a cuurse are made at least a month previous to the first meeting. At this time a list of courses previously offered are placed on the blackboard. !he boys next propose courses in which they are interested. fhe possibilities of each course are sugge1ted and, after a general discussion, a vote is taken. Sentiment has been strong enough for the cuurses selected that little objection to them was offered by the minority. fhe attendance at 75 meetings conducted by the regular instructor for the last five years has been a fraction above 20, which is a good record when compared with the attendance of other clubs.

The instruction has bean in accord with the idea that 1•1nstruo- tion in agriculture and shop work must be based on the participating experiences of the pupils; and what is taught should 1pecificall1 help

*'fheae courses were taueht by special instruction provided bJ State Department ot Vocational ltiuoa.tion. - 35 - them better to understand what they are doing occupationally in order to develop in them thinking and doing abi 11 ty in the farm work in which they are engaged and arousing in them a greater interest in their work."l Pupils are encouraged to participate in the discussion by giving their own experiences, or those with Which they are familiar. Since the discussion oentera tor the most part around their h03e problem the boys are easily led to take an active pa.rt in the meeting.

It 11 imposaible to cover an enterprise thoroughly in a series of . 12 to 18 lessons. (This wa1 the length of time given to the courses.)

Only the most important jobs and problems within the enterprise which otter the greateat possibilities tor improvement were given considere.- tion. !hose considered in poultry production were culling and selec- tion, feeding, houaing, sanitation, diseases, breeds, securing baby chicks, brooding, sunrner management ot growing flock, and marketing.

!heae lessons were selected by the instructor after talking to ditfer- en* members of the group at school and at home and attar studying the conditions existing on local farqs. A similar plan haa been followed with other courses.

OBJWTIVES OF PARr-Tilm INSTRUCTION

fbe chief objectives of part-time work a:re to train the atud.enta tor proficiency in apeoitio farming operations and to establish them in farming on an educational basis. In addition to these objeativea, certain ideals need to be established in the mind ot the student. these lo. A. Schmidt, Efficiency in Vooationa.l Education in Agriculture. 'l!he Century Company. New York. p. 197. - 36 •

may be classifed as followsa

"l• Pride of the skilled worker in his products. 2. Regard for his occupation as a calling.

3. Oonaoiousness ot service to society by means of his occupation.

4 • .lppreciation and enjoyment of the activities and living

conditions encountered in the pursuit of his ocouJ;S,tion."l

~he authors ot the Smith-Hughes Law wrote into that law that the

funds appropriated for agriculture are to fit the boys, young men and adults for one specific purpose -- Useful Employment.2 Ken are wanted today who can do things. Practical efficiency becomes the first objective. While establishing this objective teachers have an opportunity during part-time classes to establish the ideals suggested a?ld to furmu- late objectives of citizenship, recreation, lite and health as set up by Frederick G. Bonser.3 The instructor can carry these objectivea through into the young men's organization meeting following the short course.

Herein is given an opportunity to more fully round out their lives, mak-

ing them more useful citizena by the training given under his direction.

The important test of part-time instruction is the manner and the efficiency with which practices are applied on farms.

l.lgricultural Part-fime Schools. Federal Board for Vocational Biuca- tion. Bulletin 108, P• 5. 2sm1th-Hughes Law, Section 10. 31rederick G. Bonser, !he Elementary School Curriculum. lifa.cmill&n Company. New York. P. 43. - 37 -

PROJECT WORK IN CONN.OOTION WITH .PART-TDLE WORK

Realizing that doing is an essential part of learning, the authors of the Smith-Hughe• Law wrote into it that all schools receiving money from the provisiane of this act shall provide for directed or supervised practice in agriculture.1 •It affords an opportunity for the boy to gain, under normal conditions, experience in the application of farming principles which he learns at schoo1.112 •1t throws him on his own resources and develops his power of initiative, as well as giving increased know- ledge and ak.111 in farming methods. 113 It is only through this training that he can be expected to accomplish very much. If' he is carryi~ on a project, his interest will be motivated and he will show more inter- eat in the course.4 He Will generally have fi:nancial responsibility.

He knows that he is reaponaible for doing his best. Problems will be raised which he will be interested in solving.5 The writer has found that the boys who are carrying on home work are always the most interested. It is much more desirable if this work can extend over a period of years. •It should be cumulative in effect with regard to the goal of establishments in farming upon an i?ld.ependent basis. 116 !his aim has been reached in a number ot cases in the Grove City communH:j:. where several of the part-time students have been carrying on supervised practice work for the past five yeara. Other teachers have not been as lsm.1th-Hugbe1 Law, Section 10. ~he Home Project aa a .Phase ot Vocational Agriculture Education. Fed- eral .Board for Vocational Education. Bul. No. 21, Agricultural Series 3, P• 5-6. 3lbid. P. 6. 4a. K. Stewart, A. K. Getman, op. cit., P• 249-260. 6G. A. Schmidt, op. cit., P• 289. &Agricultural Pa.rt-Time Schools, op. cit., P• 23. - 38 ..

suoaesstul on a lo:ng..time program. Nineteen ot twenty-tive teachers reporting on this point in the survey have had difficulty in getting

satisfactory follow-up work in connection with short courses.

TABLE XIV DIFFICULTIES ENOOUN'iERED IN SUPERVISED .PRACTICE WORK

llumber ot teachers Dit,1cu1t1ea ;sncounterad 1gper11na1ng n1,:1cu1t1ea Boye do not underwtand value 9 .La.ck of interest on pa.rt ot boy 7 Too muoh trouble tor boy 6 Too much trouble for teacher 5 Parental objection 2 Not worthwhile l

~o remove the difficulties encountered is largely a question of teacher responsibility if the data given in the above table, are a re-

liable criterion. The boy can be shown the value of such work and he will take an interest when he understand• the project idea; howeTer, this can never be accomplished as long as the teacher considers that project work is too much trouble for himself. fhe writer was able to interest members ot his part-time class

in poultry projects by discussing with them the economic possibilities in this enterprise. In a very short time more than half of the class were planning on what they could do to put into practice things they

had been learning. Others in attendance who could not illlllediately fol• low out supervised projects have dona so since.

Supervised practice work was not required by the State Supervisor ot Ohio previous to the school year of 1927-1928. At that time it was realized that a very important part of the vocational agriculture work .. 39 • waa being neglected. Letters were sent out to all teachers requesting that they have a definite follow-up program with their part-time and evening students. As a check on this the State Department of Education require, a preliminary report in April and a final report the following winter of the projects and supervised practices being carried on by the students. If the instructor fails to file these reports, reimbursement for this work is withheld.

TA:BLE XV PROJ]X}TS AND SUPERVIS.hl0 PRACTICE WORK WITH PAM-TIME STUDEl~S IN OHIO 1925-19261

Projects and Super- bl gt gg~H li)m)bgt 1D1.:g,J.m~m Ii!UI~ f;r.:agUsu1 long Tractor 5 26 16 10 Machinery and Gas Engine 2 ll 7 4 rarm Shop e 66 45 21 Bort1culture 2 13 8 6 Dairying 2 26 l 25 PoultrJ 3 54 25 29 Soila arid. Crops 2 26 13 13 J'arm Account, 2 10 8 2 Soil Management l SWine l 22 7 15 leading l 18 9 9 Animal Husbandry 1 9 9 Gardening l 20 4 16

Total 31 301 152 149

Percentage of students carrying projects or supervised practice work was 50 per cent.

1J. ~. UoClellarid.. op. cit., P• 29. Hotea These students were between 16 and 25 years of age. - 40 -

TABLE XVI P.ROJJ£TS AND SUPERVISED PRACTICE WORK WITH PART-TIME STUDENTS IN OHIO 1926-19271

Projects and Super- INu o;e Qoyrse Number EQroJ..went vi se4 Practige l9W! tractor 4 46 10 35 Machinery 2 15 ll 4 Parm Shop 14 202 98 104 Horticulture 2 16 4 12 General agriculture l 28 7 21 Dairying 4 40 12 28 Sheep 1 Swine 4 65 44 21 Soils 2 17 11 6 Gas Engines l 18 8 10 Jarm Account, and Kanageme nt 3 41 31 10 Poultry 7 67 36 31 reeds and reeding 2 34 15 19 Blectric Wiring 1 11 5 6 Animal Husbandry 1 12 12

Total 49 611 292 319

Percentage of students carrying projects or supervised practice work was 48 per cent. TABLE XVII PROJECT AND SUPERVISi:D PRA.OTICE WOBK WITH PART-TIME STUDENTS IN ORIO 1927-19282

.Projects and Super l@mt g;C Qoiu:u lli!UH2l IQrg.J.msna v;J.11!& iEtagUce ;one la.rm Shop 20 365 142 223 Swine B 180 62 118 Dairying 12 216 105 111 reeds and Feeding 6 108 51 57 Tractor 5 79 34 45 Soils 4 68 36 33 Machinery 3 48 38 10

1J. B. McClelland, op. cit., P• 31. Notes These students were between 16 and 25 years of age. 2i>a.ta taken from mimeographed l)B.Illl>hlet of State Department tor Vooa- tio:oal muoat1on. Report of Short Courses by Departments. • 41 -

TABLE XVII (Continued}

Projects and Super- i§mg Q! gg:QtlI l11mbgz: EnrgiJ.m~st vts1g ~§&Ugg none Agricultural Engineering 3 53 33 20 Ge.a Engine 2 52 13 39 .Poultry 3 65 38 27 l'arm Crops 2 49 27 21 rarm Management 2 38 3 35 Parm Account 1 1 10 10 l'arm Economics l 17 9 8 Soils and Oropa l 25 12 13 .Breed1Dg l 15 15 .Potatoes l 20 '1 13 Community Beeda l 26 26 Swine and Shop l 34 14 20 Pru.1 t l 21 9 12

!Otal 78 1489 642 847

Percentage ot students carry1Dg project, or supervised. practice work was 43 per cent. TABLE XVIII

PROJOOT A.ND SUP.mVIS.ED P.BA.OTICE WORK WITH PART-TIME l:JlUD~NTS IN Ol:110 1928-19291

Project and Super- ble Q' QO:QltUI! iJillb~z: Bnroi.m~ni Vi SfUi i,t>hHi! D2D! rarm Shop 4, 66 26 40 ])a1rying 9 166 104 62 Swine 9 154 86 68 reeds and FeediDg 2 36 31 5 tractor 0 Soils 5 73 57 16 J4'.a chinery 4 70 40 30 Poultry 4 59 35 24 '8.rm Crops 2 30 28 2 l'arm Management 8 172 128 44

1i>ata from teachers preliminary and final reports for part-time students on file in State Supervisor's office. - 42 -

TABLE XVIII (Continued)

Projects and Super- Heme ot course Jumber &rollment vised Practice Nang Jarm Economics 2 44 22 22 Breeding 1 18 Potatoes 2 29 25 4 J'arm Mechanics 3 48 22 26 Sheep 3 46 41 6 Gardening l 12 9 3 Orcha.rding l 7 5 2

'fatal 60 1030 659 371

Percentage of students carrying project or supervised practice work was 64 per oent. TABLE XIX PROJECT AND SUPERVISED PRACTICE WORK WITH PAlfl!-TI.ME fJ.rUD~x~S IN OHIO 1929-19301

Projects and Super- Isa at: com:u }!umber J:mr2, ,m~nt vi1gg Prac U gg None J'arm Shop 6 84 67 17 Dairying 3 64 37 27 Swine 3 50 31 19 Jeeda and reading 2 45 29 16 Tractor 2 25 11 14 Soils 2 31 27 4 Agricultural Engineering 2 52 26 26 Poultry 6 78 69 19 hrm Crops 2 32 21 11 Parm Management 8 146 114 31 .Breeding 2 56 17 39 l'arm Keohani cs 2 36 26 10 Sheep 3 46 35 ll llark.eting l 13 11 2 Soils and Manage- ment l 14 10 4 Shops and Breeding 1 18 8 10

Total 44 789 629 260 Percentage of students carrying projeot1 or supervised pra.otioe work wa, 67 per cent. ls'ttt tjken f om }eache~ prelimin~ry pa.rt-time reports on file in the a e uperv1 sor a Off oe. - 43 -

TA.l3.Ii8 :XX SUMMARY OF P.ROJ..l:XJT AND SUPERVISED PRA.CTICE WORK WITH PARr-TIHE STUDENTS IN OHIO 1925-1930

1925_ 1926_ 1927_ 1928_ 1929_ Year 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 Number ot part-time courses in this study 31 48 78 60 44

Enrollment. 301 611 1489 1030 789 Humber carrying pro- jecta or supervised practices. 152 292 642 669 529

Percentage of students carrying projects or •uperYised practices. 50 48 43 64 67

(These data have been ta.L:.en from report& in the office of the state su- pervisors as submitted by the teachers of vocational agriculture. A majority of the students in these reports were between the ages of 16 and 25. In some cases the students were carrying superviEed practice or project work thut was not related to the course given. Thia was not separated because of data given in sor..1e of the earlier records.)

!here was a large increase in the emrollment and in the number of part-time courses given trom 1925 to 1928. During the next two years the decline has been almost aa rapid. Part-time work ha.a not been stressed as muck in the state program of work during the later period. Within this same two-year period the percentage of students carrying projects or supervised practices has increased 24 per aent due to additional emphasis on supervised practices in the state program of work. ~e enrollment has declined 700 while the number carrying projects has decreased 130 or lees than one-fifth as rapidly. - 44 -

!he data given in these tables would seem to indicate that more tea- ohers must have a program of work that includes the pa.rt-time student, and that more emphasis must be placed on project work, because in the best year only 67 per cent carried on this type of work.

PROJECTS A.ND SUP1!!RV1S1'l> PBA.CTIC.E

IN THE GROVE CITY COllMUNITY

'l?here has been a defin1te program under way for five years to have pa.rt-time students in the Grove City Club carry projects and supervised practice work under the direction of the teacher.

The opportunity for supervised practice work became apparent during a poultry course held during the winter of 1925-1926. Several of the students were talking about raising chicks and making changes in the management of the home poultry flock. Interest on the pa.rt of the students bad been aroused and they wanted to do something. These interests were capitalized through a definite project program. Students were encouraged to keep definite records on baby cbick projects. As a result of thia pa.rt-time course 7 students conducted 500 baby cr~ck projects, a.:cd two others had 400 an:l 200 chicks. These stuienta built five new brooder houses in 1926. Six others were built by different boys the next year.

A poultry house raising was held at the home of one of the students in

September 1926. He and another student Jiluiaged Demonstration flock& beginning in November of the same year. TwO other students managed calendar flocks beginning at the same time. Other members JIBde changes in the feeding and housing programs of the home flock under the direction ot the in- - 45 -

atructor. Feeding of mash and culling the la.yiZJg flock were adopted a1 aima of the group. Three students have continued with baby chicks

for five year,. It ia interesting to note that some of the students who were not interested in raising baby chicks at the end of the part-

time course were interested in raising them the following year because of the profits made by some of the boys. The first year one student

raised 486 out of 619 chicks to 12 weeks of age, ma.king a labor income

ot $138.76 for that period.

A course in swine management was held during the winter of 1926-27. Only a small number of students were able to carry projects or auper-

viaed practices with hogs. Three boys entered the ton-Litter Contest; one concrete feeding floor was built; changes were made in rations fed

and in sanitation practices used by different students. seven boys con-

tinued with baby chicks and flock management. ~enty-three boys trom

18 tarma bought 25 bushels of Biohelberger• a Certified seed corn. TWo

ot these boya have been producing certified seed corn for three years.

Twenty-one boys buying certified seed corn bought drying racka or

ordered electric-weld wire to use in making drying racks.

A course in soils was given in 1927-1928. As a result two boys applied ground limestone and tive applied fertilizer to corn for the

tirwt )ime. fhe practice of fertilizing corn in the hill is being adop-

ted by others whenever they can make the neoessary changes in planters.

Poultry and corn projects have been continued.

AB a result of the part-time course in :tarm management conducted in

1928-1929, twenty-four students started keeping farm account records. Ten completed them. 0'1 the 14 not completing, 2 moved away, 3 were wo~king in town and 9 others were incomplete. - 46 •

The supervised practice program for the part-time course in Ani- mal Breeding held in 1929-1930 was unsatisfactory although five students bave purchased pure bred animals and six students are continuing farm accounts. More pure bred livestock will be introduced as capital permits. As a "carry over" from the preceding courses, atu.dents are now buying high grade fertilizers for corn and wheat.

There are a few young men in the club who have carried on very little or no supervised practice work. It is the opinion of the teacher tbat these might also be reached if he could make an appropriate appeal to them on this pa.rt of the program.

aASll, OF INDIVIDUAL PROJ:OOT WOBX

In the questionnaire sent out, teachers were asked to give the r:iame of a student having a good pa.rt-time record. ~en boys were written to and three others were interviewed. Teachers were questioll8d in detail concerning the boys• programs. A few have been selected as representa- tives ot different part-time activities.

Clarence Boyi ot Oenterburg, applied 50 tons ot ground limestone on 25 acres of wheat ground in 1929 as a result of a course in soils management. He secured a good stand ot red clover in wheat which yielded 26 bushela to the acre. He expects to lime the same amount ot ground in the fall of 1930, or the spring ot 1931. He also sprayed oana.dian thistles with sodium chlorate in 1929, Which resulted in satisfactory control, except where they were 1ID8,ll. He will spray them again in the summer ot 1930. He has also kept Farm Accounts tor two years. - 4'1 -

Robert Buck, Greenfield, Ohio, kept farm accounts for the first time 1n 1928. fhey were completed and analyzed in a farm mnagement course that year. Three pure bred sires were purchased as a result of a course in nine management the same year. Farm accounts were continued in 1929. Following a part-time course in feeds and feeding in

1929-1930, he expects to feed during the year a simple mineral mixture to all his stock, to teed his sows a protein supplement during the ges- tation period, and to feed ma.sh to the pullets at all times. Be expects to feed his cows a balanced ration, then weigh and test the milk, and cull the unprofitable cows.

William Ittner ot Grove City has attended nine part-time courses.

At the end of the poultry course in 1926 he decided to raise baby chicks.

He raised only 350 out of 500. He kept the pullets and with the help of his mother kept a poultry Calendar Flock record with the County Agricul- tural Agent the following year. In 192'7 he bought two and one-halt bu- ahela of certified seed corn. He liked the cha.racteristica of this corn so well that he had it certified. He also produced certified seed corn in 1928 and 1929. ~oh year he ha.a selected from 30 to 50 bushela for seed. He has found a good sale for this curn as well as for that which was not certified. In 1928, at the conclusion of the soils course, he used four and one-half tons of fertilizer on 47 acres of corn which produced 2,650 bushels. In 1929 and 1930 he ms continued to apply fertilizer, using a higher analysis than in previous years. Farm accounts ware kept at the conclusion of the course in farm management in 1929• As a result of the course in animal breeding a pure bred boar was bought in February, 1930. William, with the help of a younger brotrer, mamges - 48 - a f~ of 40 acres for his mother. Walter Leuben ot Grove Oity also became interested in poultry in the pa.rt-time course in 1925-1926. He has followed thru with poultry for five years. In 1926 he raised 465 chicks out of 615 in an old summer kitchen. As a suitable laying house for the pullets was not available a house 26' x 30' was built &s a poultry house - raising demonstration with the help of the County Agricultural Agent. A Demonstration flock record was started at that time and was continued for three years.

In 1927 an Ohio Colony type brooder house was built, and the next year another was bought at a sale. fhis gave them room for 800 baby chicks.

Be baa followed recommended practices with his chickens for the entire five-year period. Eggs and dressed poultry are JIBrketed direct to cus- tomers in Columbus, ~o bushels of certified seed corn was purchased in 1927. Fertiliier was used on corn for the first time the following year. Be started to keep ta.rm accounta at the end of the course in farm management, but did not complete them. Be is largely responaible for the labor on a SO acre farm as his ta.ther .works in town.

Vernon Phillips of fippeoanoe raised 300 bushels of potatoes from one acre in 1928, ma.king a labor income ot $144.42, in a year of low prices following a soils course. He continued with two acres of potatoes the following year. they yielded 350 bushels from which he realized a labor income of $509.ll. He is keeping farm accounts in 1930 as a result of a course in farm ine.tagement held in 1929-1930. Harold Yake of Waldo has been a regular attend.ant at five part- time courses,- Feede and Feeding, swine »anage!IW3nt, Soils and Crop Im- provement, Farm Management and Dairying. As a result of these courses he ha.a replanned the farm, improved the crop rotation, changed terti- - 49 -

lizer practices by using a larger amount of a fertilizer better adapted

to his needs, and baa limed a portion of the ta.rm. He has improved his method1 of feeding swine. He used certified seed potatoes to plant one-

halt an acre in 1928, then, in the tall he hill selected his seed. He

also carried out a spray program on 40 fruit treea the same year. In

1929 he kept farm accounts and fertilized 10 acres of corn for the first

time. He shows Cheater White hogs at the leading fairs in the middle west, having won a number of ribbons at the International Livestock and Grain Show.

Hoy Sinunonds, Fredericktown, Ohio, started a seed improvement and

1011 building program in 1927 aa a result of a course in crops and soil improvement. Living on a rented farm he persuaded the land. owner to in- vest in fertilizer for corn and oats in 1927. He started using certi-

fied i'Ulgb:mn oats and certified clarage seed corn. Thia was the first brought into the community. !he oats were seeded in alfalfa. It was necessary to lime the ground and treat with superphoaphate. In 1928, he attended the course in farm management. He kept farm accounts as a result and he has continued to do eo during 1929 and 1930. In this year registered aeed Wheat wae purcha.aed, and he bought his first pure

bred livestock. Some of the buildings were rearrang'8d and remodeled.

In 1929 • he entered the 40-.Buahel Wheat Club. Be used approved practices,

recommended by the Ohio State University Elttension Specialist in oaring tor his flock of sheep. These practices ware discussed in the part- time course 1n sheep production. He has continued to use recommended

fertilizer practioe1, top dressing wheat with a nitrogoen fertili~er and aide dressing corn with the same in 1930. He tested his seed corn in

the spring of 1930. An entry has been aade in the 100-Bushel Corn Club. - 60 -

Simmond'• seed improvement program has not been wb.a.t he would like it to be due to a lack of proper storage 1pa.ce for the seed.

THE YOUNG .wm• S aRMING CLU.B AS A C01001NITY .assm

Whether or not a teacher of agriculture should attempt to organize a :tarmi:cg club will depend on the opportunity the club would have to render service to the members and to the community. It he.a bean shown th.at farming clubs offer an excellent medium through Which to orge.nhe and conduct pa.rt-time courses. Projects and supervised practices th.at follow tend to promote i:Dd.1v1dual and community well&re. All of the teachers in this study report that Farming Clubs are a conaunity asset in many ways, such as, promoting part-time courses and better community practices, aiding Farmer•, Institute and other local organizations in their programs, training for leadership, giving the members new interests in farming, fostering tours, and encouraging the members in a social way. ~hey also offer a means of service to the members and to the community.

A plan for giving school recognition for part-time work is being considered by the Supervisory Staff for Vocational Education in Ohio. Nothing definite has bean done. Three schools in this study have given diplomas or certificates to pa.rt-time students who have met certain 1tandards. ~hey consider this a deairable practice. Twenty teachers promoting YoUDg Men's Janning Clubs are equally divided in their opinion as to such a procedure. fhe developnent of this plan demands careful thought and consideration. School recognition may be the means of atimulati?lg interest in part-time work and in the end result in the :torming of other Young Men' a Janning Clubs. • 51 -

RELA.TIONSHIPS AND R~PONSIBILITI.i:'8

OF TaCliERS OF VOCATIONAL AGRICULTURE

Hfeaohers of vocational agriculture have an important reaponaibility in seeing that the young men whom they are training do get larger Jielda from the soil and greater returns from livestock, and that they use labor more efficiently t!lan does the average farmer in their community; and above all else in seeing that the coat of producing a~ unit of a. ta.rm product ii less than the cost on the average farm in the com-

Dl11Jl1ty. Much can be done tovvard achieving efficient results by stres- sing these factors in the supervised praotice work."l It becomes the teaoher•a reaponaibility first to looate the young men in hia community, to form friendships with them, and learn their problems. This should preoede the holdi?Jg of part-time group meeting-s. Once he knows what their problell18 are he can plan suitable class work with them. :rrom a study of the Young lien's Farming Club Orge.nhations in Ohio, the writer finds that they are, for the moat part, an outgrowth of successful part- time courses. The part-time course is the leading factor in the organization. Attar the young men meet together for a time, they see the advantage of an organization to bold the club together for future educational and recreational advantages. At this time of need, the teacher oan tell the class wti.at simi1s.r groups have done. It may be possible to have part of the boys visit a.nother club or have a neighboring club visit them and explain how the organization is carried on, thus encouraging them to organi~e a club. The respon1ibility for the promotion of thia activity mu.st rest largely on the teacher. Onoe it is established, l G. A. Schmidt, op. cit., P• 21. • 52 - it can be directed by the students under the guidance of the instructor.

!he pe.rt tmt the instructor will take in the organization de-panda on loaal circumstances. ~he writer has not held office in the club in which Jae is a member. It seems that it is better to stay in the background, directing the officers when necessary, rather than taking a leading roll. Holding an office gives training for leadership. Exam- ples are common over the state where officers of local clubs have been given offices of responsibility in larger community organizations, such aa the Grange, Farm Bureau, Farmer'• Institute and Community lairs. It has bean considered best that the young men have this training. It the organization is to live over a period of years, it cannot be depen- dent on the inatruotor, as he may change to another district. Naturally, the club will look to the teacher When help 1s needed. Plans tlat he has for the orge.nization may be introduced by himself or he may talk these over with some members of the club and have the member introduce them. In so tar as he can, he should be one ot the club, sharing equally in privilege• and reaponaibilities with other members, but always looking torward to new activities for the organization.

THE FU'.1:URE OF YOUNG MEN'S FARMING CLUBS

It ha.a been shown on pagelO that there is a close relationship between the number of Young lien•• Janning Clubs and the number of part!"' time courses. Young Men' a Farming Clubs have increased or decreased as the number of these courses varied. This my be expected, a.a the part- time course is the central activity. The first step then for an increase in the number of Young Men's Farming Olubs would be the promotion of successful part-time courses. Impetus in this promotion should come from - 53 -

the State Supervisor's office and the state organization of vocatioml teachers, as the teachers have been neglecting this program. More in-

terest will be tal-t.en by the members when this becomes a state organi-

zation ratber than merely local clubs only. As a state organization, more recognition can and will be given by outside agencies. Special clubs might be organized, such as Pork Production Clubs or Farm Improve- ment Clubs. Young men from different clubs might meet in a state camp

tor a few days for education and recreation. Before a state organization can make any great progress the vocational teachers must see the possibilities of a yoUZJg men's club in their district. fhen they must be Willing to put forth extra effort in holding a series of interesting part-time meetings, after this is· done, a Farming club is the natural outcome. It the clubs oan have a state organization which will offer additional advantages, these clubs can be expected to grow in number and in value to their respective communities.

A study of available literature reveals that little has been done in other states toward organizing the 16 to 26 year old group into a definite organization. fhe Regional Agents of Vocational Agricu.lture, Ur. w. T. Spanton, Western Region; Mr. R. D. hlaltby, Southern Region; Mr. A. P. Williams,

Central Region; Mr. J. A. Linke, »astern Region, and Mr. J. H. Pearson, Part-Time Specialist for the Federal Board, were either interviewed or written to regarding this phase of work. Mr. Spanton and Mr. Pearson - 54 - reported tlw.t they knew nothing of similar organizations in other states.

No answers were received from l4r. Linke or Mr. Maltby. .ur. Williams suggested the :names of l4r. A. K. Getman of New York, Mr. H. o. Sampson ot

Hew Jeraey, Mr. L. R. Humpherys of Utah, and l4l'. J. A. l\4cPhee ot C&lifor- nia.

llr. Getman says that in Bew York state they have attempted to combine the 16 to 20 year old group v:1 th the Future Farmers of America cbaP- ters, but that this is not very satisfactory.

Jlr. Sampson reports that nothing towards organizing this group ha.a been attempted in New Jersey. Some ot their high school graduates re- nain aa members of the Future Farmers of America, but frequently lose interest. Be feels that they would do better in a separate organization.

Mr. J4cPhee reportw that there are two or three schools in C&lifor- nia that are carrying on programs with organizations of young men similar to What is being done in Ohio. Be says that they anticipite developing this part of the program ,o a greater extent.

Farming Clubs fill the need of a social organization for young mell living in the country. They foster the educational, social, and athletic activities of their members. They give young men training for posi- tions of leadership in larger community organizations.

Part-time work is essential to the developnent of Young Ken's larming Clubs. In turn, when once established, they make it easier to conduct part-time classaa.

)(any clubs have carried out well-rounded programs. 5!his appears to be essential to the suooess of the clubs. • 55 -

Programs of work vary With the different clubs. Educational aims are foramost with most clubs; social and athletic activities are secon- dary. Project work is an important xnrt of educational activities, usually coming at the close of the course. It seems to be ma.ch easier to secure this in an organization where the members engage in friendly competition with each other.

Parrning Olubs are an aid to teachers at agriculture in developing community programs of work.

Farming clubs have not been org.snized as a state or mtio:ti!.l organization. Strength to individual clubs and impetus to the general movement will be given when this is done. Much promotional work re- sins to be done as only a start has been made in this field.

Ohio is outstanding in the developnent of this phase of the program tor vocational education. • 56 -

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Agricultural Part~ime Schools. Bulletin No. 108, Federal Board for Vocational Bducation. Washington, D. c. 2. Frederick G. Bonser, fhe Blementary School Curriculum. The Macmillan Company, New York.

3. !he Jmrm Bureau in Ohio. The Ohio Farm .Bureau Federation. Colum- bus, Ohio.

4. Ray Fifa, !he Orgs.nization and Financing of Vocational Education in Ohio. Bulletin No. 144, Agricultural Series No. 37, Federal Board for Vocational »iucation. Wasrdngton, D. c. 6. Arthur I. Gates, and E. L. Thorndike, Elementary Principles of Education. !he Jla.cmillan Company. Bew York.

6. A. K. Getman and R. M. Stewart, :l.'eaching of Agricultural Voca- tions. John Wiley and Sons. New York. 7. Home Project as a Phase of Vocational Agricultural Education• .Bulletin No. 21, Agricultural Series No. 3, Federal Board for Vocational »iucation. Washington, D. c.

8. J.B• .McClelland, Instruction for Part-Time Groups in Ohio. !haaia for M.Sc. Degree, fhe Ohio ~tate University. Colmnbus, Ohio.

9. George E. Myers, Problems in Vocational Guidance. !he lllacmillan Oompa.ny. New York.

10. G. A. Schmidt, Efficiency in Vocational DJ.ucation in Agriculture. !he Century Company. New York.

11. Young Men's Farming Clubs in Ohio. Mimeographed pamphlet, Depart- ment of Agricultural Bducation, The Ohio State University. - 5'/ -

APPENDIX

CONSTITUTION OF THE GROVE CITY YOUNG MEN'S FA!WING CLUB

ARTICLE I. !he name ot this organization shall be !he Grove City Young Men's Farming Club. (Number 3).

ARTICLE II. !he purpose of this organization shall be to improve ourselves and our oommunity agriculturally, and to biild ourselves together for athletio and social development.

ARTICLE III. Membership. Section 11 All persona who attended (The Grove City Short Course for 1924 for 5 or more sessions) may become charter members of this olub by signing this constitution, thereby agreeing to abide by these principles and by all other rules whioh shall later be agreed u~ on by the majority of the olub.membera. Section 2, A?J1 boy or young man 16 to 25 years of age who is living on a farm may be admitted to this club by the followi?Jg procedurea (1) The applicant for membership mu.st sign an application stating that he lives on a farm and is interested in better social, educational, and recreational advantages for farm boys and young men. He mu.st pay an initial tee of 50¢ with this applioationwhioh is retunded if he is not elected. His name can then be proposed for membership at all1 regular or special meeting of the club but must not be voted on until the next regular meeting night after his nilllle is propesed. {2) A separate written ballot shall be taken on each name proposed, the member writing yes or no on slips of paper which are collected by tellers. At least two members must sea each ballot as they are tallied on the black.boa.rd. A unanimous vote in favor of the candidate is required for membership. (A 9

ARTICLE IV. Officers Segtion 11 The officers of this club shall be a president, a vice- president, a secretary, a treasurer, a reporter, and a sergeant-at-arms. Section 2 1 The officers of this club shall be elected by nomination and ballot at the regular monthly meeting in April and October, and shall serve for terms of six months or until their succes- sors are elected. - 58 - ARTICLE v. Duties of Officers. Section 1, President a It sba.11 be tlle duty of the president to preside at all meetings of the club, and also to serve as chairman of the executive committee of the club. Section 2, Vice-President, It shall be the duty of the vioe-president to preside at the meetings of the club in the absence or at the request of the president. Section 3, Secretary, It shall be the duty of the secretary to keep the minutes of the meetings of the club; to keep a list of the active members; to receive the n~1lles of new members; to carry on the correspondence of the club; am fulfill such other duties as usually per- tain to this club or office. . Section 4, Treasurers It shall be the duty of the treasurer to collect and iiatribute the money of the club; to keep a record of all money received, spent, and on hand; and. to report upon the state of the treasury at the annual meetings or whenever called upon to do so. Section 5, Reporters It shall be the duty of the reporter to report any items of interest relating to the club, to local papers, promptly and correctly. Section 61 Sergeant-at-arms, It shall be the duty of the sergeant-at- arms to see that all meetings are held in an orderly mnner. ARTICLE VI. Committees. fhere sh.all be the following standing committees, the Executive Commit- tee, the Social and Refreshment Committee, the Music Committee, and the Athletic Committee.

A.R~ICLE V!I. Duties of Committees. Segtion 11 Executive Committees The executive co~unittee shall.consist of the cbair1i.an of the several committees and the elected officers of the club. This committee shall confer upon questions regarding the welfare of the club, and shall consider and recommend matters of importance to the club. Seqtion 21 Social and Refreshment Committee: This committee shall consist of three members chosen in such r&:nner as the club may direct. fhis committee shall provide and arrange for entertainment and eats at the social meetings and. picnics. Section 31 Music Committeea The music committee shal consist of three members chosen as above. ~his committee shrll encourage and arrange for music at all social meetings. Section 41 Athletics Committee a The athletics committee shall oonsis t of three members chosen aa above. This committee shall encourage and arrange to have good clean sports.

ARTICLE VIII. Special Committee. This special committee sball be a Program Committee. This committee shall De appointed by the president two months previous to each meeting and shall have charge ot the program for that one meeting. - 59 - ARTICLE IX. lleetings. Section l, The regular monthly meetings of the club shall be held on the second Wednesday of each month in the Vocational Agri- culture Room. Section 2. Additional meetings shall be held on the fourth Wednesday of the months of October, November, December, January, February and .Ms.rah. Section 3. Special meetings uay be held at the call of the president ot the request of a:r:iy ten members. Section 4, The order of business at the regular monthly meetings shall bea Roll call. Reading o't the minutes of the previous meeting. Reports o~ committees. Old business. New business. Proposals of new members. Work and discussion. Adjourmnent of business session. Athletic and social hour.

AR:1'1 CLE X. Quorum. One-halt ot the membership ah.all constitute a quorum for the transaction of businesa.

ARTICLE XI. Amendments. ,his constitution nay be amended by two-thirds vote of the members present at any regu.lar meeting, provided that notice to amend shall have been given at a regular meeting previously.

Amendment 1. !he three general oomnittees shall be chosen as followea The oha.irnan ab.all be elected by the club, one member of each committee shall be appointed by the president and these two members shall choose another. Amendment 2. Art. 3, Seo. 2, Amended to read that a 90% vote elects to membership. A.meIJdment 3. Art. IX, Sec. 2. Amended to read that regular meeting, will not be held in June, July, and August, the president will call meetings when necessary. ------60 -

Application for Membership

Grove 01t1 Jo13pg Ken'• Farming Club I, , being interested in the better- ment of eduoational, reoreational and aooial conditions of Grove City community do hereby make application for membership in the"Grove City YoUJJg Ken•a Farming Club"• By reason ot this application 1 automatically agree to support the constitution of the organization, to abide by its by-laws and do all in my power to promote and foster the ideals for which it stands.

Signed.....~~~--~~----~--~

Reoormnended by - 61 -

•. Q,U:ETIONNAIRE TO Dl!1rli.RMINE RELA.TIVE IMPORTANCE

OF YOUNG MEN'S FAR.MING OLUBS IN mE STATE

l. List interests of the club in order of importanoa, eduoatio:nal_____,

social , athletiq •

2. How ma!ly part-time courses have been fostered by group?..____

3. Hai membership increased , decreased , or remained constant

___ during the i:aat two years? (Include those who have attended

three or more pa.rt-time courses or ·businesa meetings aa members.)

4. What is the present membership of club?____ 5. When was your olub organized!.______

6. Estimated percentage ot young men in the community who are reached by

Y. K. JI. o. organization...____

7. Is tbis organization an aid in short course work? Yea,____ Ho.___ a. Is it a community asset? Yea No How______

9. Do you have difficulty in getting follow-up work! Yea_ No____

It you do, which of the following would you consider as the rrain rea-

sons for itt La.ck of interest on the part ot the boys,______, do not

w:iderstand Talue~--- too much trouble for the teacher___, too

much trouble for the bo~Y----• pa.rental objection______, not worth-

while • 10. Do you have a nine or twelve months program of work Which....___

11. Do you have an initiationt Yes No___

12. Do you admit members still in high school? Yes No.____~

13. Do you thli'lk it desirable to combine 1. r. A. and Y• .M.r.0 •.1 Ye~s__ No___

14. Ylhat percentage of the Y.M.~.c. group is reached by other rural or-

ganizations? ------Which one______- 62 -

15. How many members are now members of 4-H Clubs?______

16. Wey do boys drop out of club? Marr.,.y___, grow too old___, unin-

teresting meetings____, meetings too lo:w:i:____, lack of vocational

interest.___, not enough athletic...,a___ , do not like orowd____

17. Do you hold meetings in the sUD111er timet Yes____ No____ What is the chief interest then?______

18. Is school recognition given for part-time course work? Yes______No____ Should it bet,___

19. To what extent has your club engaged in cooperative b~ingt_____

20. Have you ta.ken educational trips to nperiment Station?___ Ohio State Univerait1,___, Master Farsers____, Stockyards____, Other

schools.____, Other tri~---· 21. Example of outstanding project wor...______

Name of bo1,______Address______

22. How can the Y.:M.r.o. organi~ations over the state, be made to reach more young men?______

23. Check activities below your club he.a engaged in,

Part-time courses Put on play or show

Farmer• a Institut ea Annual tour

Father and son banquet Put on mwiical program before Grange or otb:lr organization. Community fair Picnic Group exhibits Dance Pest hunt - 63 -

AUSVl.hlBS GIVEU BY TW.El~TY-SIX T.EACHEfilS TO Q.UESfIO:t~laIRE

IN ~1HE STATE OF OHIO

1 Interests ot club J'irst Second Third

Bd.ucational 21 l 4 Social 3 9 13 Athletic 2 15 9

2 Number of pert-time courses fostered Number of Ooursea ~eachera Beporting l 5 2 6 3 5 4 2 5 4 6 0 7 2 8 0 9 1

3 Status of club membership

Increased - 9 Decreased - 10 Constant - 11

4 Present membership

10, 11, 12, 14, 14, 14, 15, 15, 15, 16, 18, 18, 20, 21, 21, 23, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30, 32, 40, 43,

5 Time ot organi~ation of club

1922 - l 1927 - 3 1923 - 0 1928 - 5 1924 - l 1929 - 4 1925 - l 1930 - 2 1926 - 8

6 Estimated percentage of yo;a:ig men in the community that are being reached by Young Men' a l'arming Club Organizations.

10, 20, 20, 25, 33, 35, 40, 40, 40, 45, 50, 50, 50, 50, 50, 50, 65, 67, 67, 75, 75, 80, 80, 85, 90. - 64 -

7 Is this organization an aid in p~rt-time work?

Yes - 23 No 2

8 Is this organization a community asset?

Yes - 25 No O

Bow?

Better practices 8 Pest hunt l New information 4 Increased publicity l Provide leaders for Raises income 1 other local enterprise 6 Holda interests of boys Social 3 and gives them something Put on tours 2 to do. l Brought opposing fac- Farm accounts l tors together.tor a l Stirs up interest and better farming communi- ma.kaa l ty membership. Promotes 4-H club, and Grange l

9 Difficulty ~~th follow-up work

Yes - 19 No 6 Rea.sons for dif.Cicultys Do not understand. value 9 Lack of interest on part of boy 7 Too much trouble for teacher 5 Too much trouble for boy 6 Pa.rental objection 2 Not worthwhile 1

10 Length of program

9 month - 13 12 month - 13

11 Do you have an initiation?

Yea - 4 No - 20

12 Do you admit members still in high school?

Yes - 4 No - 21 - 65 -

13 Should we combine the Future Farmers with the Young .Men• s Farming Club?

Yes - 5 No 19 14 Percentage of Young .Men•s Farming Club members reached by other groups

o, o, o, o, o, o, o, 5, 10 , 10 , 10 , 10, 10, 20, 25, 25, 25, 30, 50, 50, 50, 50, 75, 100.

Which ones Grange 7 Farm .Bureau 8 Lodge 3

15 Members of 4-B clubs. 2, 2, 2, l, o, o, o, o, o, o, o, o, o, o, o, o, o, o, o, o, o, o, o, o. 16 Reasons boys drop out of clubs.

Lack of vocational interest 14 l4arry 12 Grow old 4 Unintere1ting meetings 4 Not enough athletics 3 Did not like crowd 2 Move away 2 Too tired l

17 Do you hold meetings in the summer time? Yes - 12 ( 4 of these are held irregul.srly) No 13 Chief interestsa Socials 8 Trips 5 Athletics 3 Timely topics 3 Pairs 2 18 ls school recognition given?

Yes - 3 No - 20

Should it be? Yes - 10 No 10 ' 3 - 66 - 19 To what extent has your club engaged in cooperative b~ing?

None 17 Certified seeds 4 lert111zer and spray material 2 Hog mineral l Shot gun shells l Sodilllll chlorate 1 20 Bluoational trips taken

Experiment Station 12 »aster Farmers 8 Ohio State University 8 Stockyards 7 Produce mrket l Other trips (local) 10

21 (Omitted from summary)

22 How can the Young llen' a Farming Club Organizations over the state be made to reach more young men? By actually putting across approved practices by a few boys. Special oluba, such as Hog Production and by general state recognition. through some form of state recognition• .More tefinite work, more time on program. Thru publicity of best projects. Hold more meetings. Mora thorough surveys. By a more definite survey, followed by an appropriate interesting program • .More work on part of teacher. Cooperation of school officials, need a strong local leader. More intensive effort on part of teacher. By connecting them w.L th outstanding community UDiertakings and giving them community responsibilities. More intensive membership effort, more careful preparation for class.

23 Activities engaged in by clubs.

Part-time course 24 Father and son banquet 10 rarmer• a Institute 16 Put on play or show 9 Community fair 14 Group exhibit B Picnic 12 Pest hunt 7 Annual tour 10 Danae 3 Musical program 2 - 67 -

The following teachers cooperated by supplying the inforDBtion re- questeda

W. A. Alexander, Bowling Green G.L. Xrthn, Holmes-Liberty

B. L. Albright, Prospect J.H. Lintner, Fredericktown J. L. Barnhart, Monroeville R.N. Lovett, Agosta a. L. Beatty, Rawson Howard .McClarren, \'iesterville

Lee H. Dill, Hrunilton Tp. Paul .Illengert, Centerburg

V. A. Eokstrom, Oak Harbor P.H. Rinkes, Flushing

L.B. Fidler, Waldo F.J. Ruble, Grove City L. J. George, Covington s.L. Ruddell, Bethel Tp., .Miami County P. J. Hanes, Jefferson Tp., Preble County. H.A. Tenney, Newton Tp.

E.G. Hasler, St. Marys F.W. Wean, JacksonTp., Darke co.

Ray B. Hugwi, Rome Rural Willard Wolf, Dalton

B. J. Hursh, Wauseon R. w. 1imrnerman, Madison Tp. Lake County. J. F. Johnson, Greenfield l Unsigned.