YOUNG FARMERS’ CLUBS.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 49, Issue 4, 20 October 1934, Page 216

YOUNG FARMERS’ CLUBS.

THEIR INAUGURATION AND EXPANSION IN THE OTAGO DISTRICT.

J. E. Davies,

Instructor in Agriculture, Dunedin

The great value of agricultural clubs has been well demonstrated by the success achieved during recent years by the boys’ and girls’ agricultural clubs, which since their inception in the Otago District in 1919 have ■ spread throughout the Dominion. The annual report fpr'the 1932-33 season indicated that approximately three thousand boys and girls had participated in various sections of agricultural club projects consisting of crop-growing, calf-rearing, pig-feeding, and homescience competitions.

The agricultural clubs developed a strong competitive element, and the majority of the members were drawn from rural primary schools, the numbers continuing after school-leaving age being comparatively small. The boys’ and girls’ club movement attracted strong support from juniors, but its continuance in post-school education met with little support ; every ’ endeavour was made to establish a senior ' division of agricultural club work, but the venture attracted only a small membership, and its extension was therefore limited.

The valuable information and experience gained from the junior boys’ and girls’ agricultural clubs convinced the writer that there was a keen desire among young farmers for the establishment of an organization fostering post-school agricultural education, and the development of rural social life generally. It was with this object in view that Mr. R. B. Tennent, Fields Superintendent, Dunedin, and the writer in March, 1933, inaugurated a young farmers’ club scheme, whereby

in country districts local clubs would be formed, bringing together a group of young farmers between , the ages of fourteen and twentyfive. Clubs were established along the lines indicated by the following brief outline relative to the constitution and operation of clubs The movement is to be known as Young Farmers’ Clubs. Members are to be from fourteen to twenty-five years of age. No member under the age of seventeen to be eligible for election to a controlling committee. The object of the club is to promote agricultural education, leadership, thrift, perseverance, self-reliance, and co-operation with authorities in agricultural education. It is suggested that during the winter months agricultural classes, lectures, debates, &c., be arranged, and for the summer months field days, demonstrations, and visits to the Agricultural and Pastoral Shows, model farms, experimental areas, &c., be organized. In forming a club a general meeting of young farmers from the district is convened. At this meeting the executive officers of the club are elected. They consist of a chairman to preside at club meetings, a secretary to record minutes, attend to club correspondence, &c., a treasurer to keep club accounts, and also a general committee. - All club meetings are arranged and controlled by the executive. At these meetings lectures on agricultural subjects such as stock, crops, soil, &c., or any other subject pertaining to rural conditions are a prominent part of the activity. A person exceeding the age-limit of club membership is appointed president. His duties are to attend club meetings and assist the young chairman in the guidance, contro 1 , and development of club work generally. Club meetings are held at least monthly, and a nominal fee is levied on members to cover running-expenses. A minimum of ten members is required to form a club. The first club formed was at Palmerston South, and the initial meeting held in March proved distinctly successful. Following this, numerous requests for the formation of clubs were received and several others were formed. In January, 1934, successful clubs were operating at the following centres : —

At the above centres a definite syllabus of instruction was adopted ..—viz., a series of lectures on the “ Establishment and Management of Grasslands.” These lectures were conducted by officers of the Department of Agriculture, and, in addition, several supplementary lectures were given by other persons interested. The season’s work culminated in a combined field-day and demonstrations. Successful field-days, demonstrations, and programmes of winter lectures and debates, &c., have already illustrated the valuable work

which these clubs may be expected to accomplish. A properly constituted organization. for the fullest development of the scheme has been established. A general meeting was convened at Dunedin in February, 1934.. ’ It was . attended ' by representatives of existing district clubs, Department 'of Agriculture, Farmers’ Union, and other allied organizations. At this meeting, the New Zealand Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (Incorporated) was constituted, . following which a general council and provincial executives were elected. The. personnel of the . federation .is : . Grand Patron, His Excellency . the Right Hon. Lord Bledisloe, P.C., G.C.M.G., K.B.E., D.Sc. ; President, A. C. Cameron Vice President, R. B. Tennent, Director, Fields Division, Department of Agriculture; General Secretary, S. D. Blomheld, Public Trust Buildings, Dunedin. . . - . \ . To the federation is given the responsibility of directing the movement , on a national basis, . and at . time of writing marked

progress has been made. Apart from several additional clubs being formed in the Otago District, provincial executives and’clubs are now operating in both’Southland and Canterbury and probably at the end of the present year a chain of clubs will be operating throughout the South Island.

In other countries the young farmers’ club movement has reached considerable dimensions. The National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs in Britain is now a movement of significance, and recent information reveals that in January, 1934, some 188 clubs were operating in England and Wales, and these has a membership of approximately four thousand boys and girls. . The movement has also assumed importance in America, Canada, and Denmark, and it is anticipated that the movement will attain a similar degree of success and importance among the young farmers of this Dominion. The movement aims at becoming self-supporting; this, however, will take some time.

Centre. . „ , , , MemberDate formed. ! sWp . Number Member-of ship.Meetings Number of . Meetings held. Lectures. Debates. Field Days. Demonstrations . Debates. Field Days. Demonstrations Palmerston 24/2/33 24 12 14 2 2 Five Forks .. 18/4/33 25 5 6 2 Dunback 19/6/33 12 4 3 1 Milton. . .. 4/7/33 13 3 3 I Clinton 27/7/33 33 5 3 2 1 3 Paretai 18/10/33 17■ 3 3