Farmers With Electricity Celebrate at Picnic, 1949

From Duke Power Magazine, 1949

Some 700 farmers of Duke Power Company farms in Iredell, Catawba, and Lincoln counties and their families and friends at a picnic on the old Ramsey place near Mooresville were recently told some of the things they have to be proud of and some of the things they have to accomplish in the years ahead as part of the agricultural advance of North Carolina by Dr. Frank H. Jeter, Extension Farm Editor, of the N.C. Extension Service at Raleigh.

Dr. Jeter challenged his hearers to set new goals of achievement and to use the aids of science and research in reaching them.

“The man with the book in his hand has the advantage nine times out of ten, whether in farming or business,” said Dr. Jeter.

Appearing on the picnic program of August 18 with Dr. Jeter were M.T. Geddings, agricultural engineer, who described the scope of the work of the Duke Power Company rural service department, Graham Morrison, the "Will Rogers of Lincoln County” and the popular county farm agent, and Grady Cole, farm commentator of radio station WBT, who spoke briefly. John Paul Lucus, head of the company’s public relations office, was master of ceremonies.

Other guests at the picnic given by the farmers included in addition to a number of members of the general office of the Duke Power Company, Highway Commissioner Joe Graham, Iredell County Farm Agent Roger Murdock, Catawba County Agent Jesse Giles, and other farm and soil conservation specialists.

The afternoon was given over to a ball game and other entertainment features, with music by the Southern Serenaders.

R.E. Rhyne arranged the program and had general supervision of this year’s event. Carl Blades, head of the division, expressed pleasure over the success of the picnic.