Negroes Receive Vocational Training in Agriculture, June 5, 1919

From The Dunn Dispatch, June 5, 1919

Negroes Receive Farm Training. . . More Than 142 Are Taking Vocational Agriculture Course in Eight Counties

Over 142 negro pupils in eight counties of the State are receiving vocational agricultural training under the supervision of the State Board for Vocational Education. According to Mr. Roy Thomas, who has charge of this agricultural training, the schools now being conducted are located in Pitt, Orange, Pamlico, Sampson, Bertie, Martin, Johnston and Wake counties.

In addition to the course of instruction given, the pupils are cultivating 105 acres in crops and raising 35 animals as home project work. Mr. Thomas finds that though the work has just barely been begun in these counties, encouraging results have so far been secured. Both old and young are being reached, as shown in Johnston County, where two old pupils, one 40 and another 36, have been enrolled.

At Grimesland in Pitt County a very successful night school is being conducted. Here there is a class of about 50 men, women and children which meets three times a week to receive instruction in agriculture. This class is composed of people in the community.

At the Orange County Training School at Chapel Hill, Principal R.E. Maloe has reached practically every negro county in the community through his agricultural department. Thirty boys and girls have inaugurated garden projects and 60 families are doing intelligent gardening under the supervision of the agricultural teacher.

This work, which is going hand in hand with the demonstration work of the Extension Service, is proving to be of great value wherever it has been tried. The Extension Service has already employed 15 local agents and one District Agent, who are aiding negro farmers in certain districts of the State. 

The record made by these men last year was exceptionally good. In addition to this, under the leadership of John D. Wray, approximately 10,000 negro boys and girls were enrolled in the club work to receive instruction in improved methods of raising corn, poultry, pigs and cotton. Agent Wray also did considerable work among the negroes last year in promoting a “live-at-home” campaign, especially in the production of garden crops.