NC Farmers Increasing Production for National Defense, 1940

By F.H. Jeter, Extension Editor, N.C. State College, as published in the 1940 issue of The Southern Planter

Farm people of Caswell County brought to a realization of the need of a constructive program for their county by committee work in the land use planning effort, have decided that the best contribution they can make for national defense on their farms is to increase the number and size of the home gardens on all farms.

Robert Lee Neal has been selected as chairman of the garden committee with Mrs. John Buck as co-chairman, and the two of them have begun rigorous campaigns for more and better gardens throughout the county in 1941. Every farm family in the county has received this message from the two garden leaders: “The production of an adequate supply of vegetables and fruits for home use is more important to us now than at any time in the history of our country.”

ORGANIZE FOR DEFENSE

North Carolina’s Extension program in 1941 will be a defense program in that it will have for its fundamental purpose the preparation of farm life in the state for whatever the future may hold. This will mean in part the building up of a reserve of soil fertility; a planned program of production and conservation of food; attention to breeding stock and feed for all the livestock in the state; use of good seeds; extension of the rural electric lines; repair and renovation of farm equipment and buildings; and in general getting the rural house in order, should neglect of some of these things become necessary within the next two or three years. All these matters were discussed and decided upon at five district conferences of Extension workers in October.

MADISON COUNTY

Twenty years ago there was an acre of land on the Cargile farm in Madison County that was worth very little. Today that acre is worth about $3,000. The change in valuation has been due to the efforts of Mrs. J.V. Cargile who has built up a profitable business in growing and selling boxwoods. Starting with a few plants, Mrs. Cargile continued to set new ones; and although about 10 years are required for a box plant to grow into a value of $2 and $3, she now is reaping a reward for her patience and planning. She says other farm wives can take such an acre of unwanted land and make it yield similar returns.

HONEYSUCKLE BASKETS

Mrs. Ethel McFalls, home demonstration club woman of Whittier, North Carolina, says she has sold $143 worth of honeysuckle baskets, hot dish mats, and fans to local gift shops in Jackson County. Mrs. McFalls spends her “handicraft” money for clothes for her three children, for food, and she has made repairs on her home.

LAST THOUGHT

Our goal in the cotton mattress program is 300,000 mattresses. We need the support of all rural people in North Carolina if we are to reach all eligible farm families. May we have your cooperation? Won’t you see your farm or home agent regarding the program?