In 1926 Wallaces Farmer started the Master Farmers recognition. A Master Farmer was described as having faith in their communities, giving time, money, and thought to helping make life and living better for others as well as themselves and their own. The scorecard that was used grouped the requirements under three categories: Good Farming, Clear Thinking, Right Living. Below are the Master Farmers of the 1920s. Frank, from Mahaska County, a 1928 awardee is third from the right in the front row. Lewis, from Marion County, is second from the left in the front row.
"Good Farming" covered the operation and management of the farm. Those 1920s men were just starting to use limestone, rock phosphate, and better cultivation methods for weed eradication in their row crops. A few were trying alfalfa rather than clover. Several of them were using the "McLean system" for raising hogs.
"Clear Thinking" involved records and handling of finances. All the awardees kept accurate records. Their records show it was a tough time in agriculture. Most of the men were starting to carry life insurance. I found it interesting that the story of these men showed that their major expenses included farm payments, home improvements, and church and church school support.
"Right Living" involved giving their family the best possible surroundings including what they called living in homes with modern conveniences including electric lights, running water, furnaces, and screened in porches. These men kept their pigs and chickens from running close to the house. These 1920s men promised educational training for their children. And they were active in their churches and communities.
The average family size during this time was from 6 to 8 children. Although not all would agree today, children were a big part of getting the work done on the farm back then. These men's story stated that nearly all were not only involved in church but also in club work and other young people's activities.
Secretary of Ag, Bill Northley was part of the 2015 Master Farmer awards luncheon this past week. The same three categories used in the 1920s are still used today.
Todays "Good Farming" practices include proper soil drainage and soil stewardship.
Keeping waterways working correctly and building terraces keep Mike busy these days.
Split applying nitrogen fertilizer is becoming the norn today. Kurt started NH3 application this week.
"Clear Thinking" nowdays is based on all the information received from technology. Data drives many decisions farmers are making today including crop plant populations, when and where to apply fertilizer, and recording yield to know where the biggest bang for the buck was accomplished. Planters today have a dozen hoses and wires to hook up to the tractor. In the 1920s it was just a horse harness, not a wiring harness.
I strongly feel a major part of the "Right Living" today should include caring about and preparing our next generation in our homes, our churches, our communities, and in politics. In our homes includes taking time for them and giving them responsibilities that affirm them and teach them to work. In our churches includes a worship environment that they can relate to and appreciate. Too many churches today are only grey heads. In politics it means holding down taxes that will affect them and not borrowing money they will have to deal with later.
We delivered 6 year old Lindon's Grandpa Jim and his Dad Rob's seed corn this week. He couldn't wait for us to leave so he could help his dad roll up electric fence.
Neil, an economics professor from Iowa State, wrote in 2007 that the effects of technology and power in agriculture including less physical work, more independence, and less and bigger farms are diminishing local community.
In the Bible Paul wrote, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interest of others." Philippians 2:3-4
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