YOUNG FARMERS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 August 1939, Page 4

YOUNG FARMERS

DISTRICT ESSAY COMPETITION BENEFITS OF MOVEMENT, PRIZE-WINNING CONTRIBUTION. The first prize essay in the Young Farmers’ Club district competition, that of Mr D. McGregor, of the Masterton Club, is as follows, the subject bein "Why I am a Young Farmers’ Club Member’’: — Since its inception the Young Farmers’ Club movement in New Zealand has grown and progressed more rapidly than any other movement of its kind. Each year closes with a substantial increase in membership, until today we have over 120 clubs and over 5,000 members While this is very gratifying, there are many more thousands of potential members that have, as yet, not taken any interest in our movement. Let us then ask ourselves why are we members of a Young Farmers’ Club, and what can we do to gain the interest of others who are not members. Why did I become a member? It appeared to me as soon as my attention was drawn to the movement, that, if conducted along the right lines it could and would make us, the youth of today, better fitted for our job as the farmer's of tomorrow. As has been often said by older farmers, the Young Farmers’ Club movement gives the young man on the land far greater opportunities than had our fathers or grandfathers. To me also the idea oi meeting and exchanging views with young men of my own age, could not bring about anything but greater harmony amongst the farming community. One of the principal factors that drew me to the movement was the keen interest taken by some of the leading farmers of the district. These men, then and since, have given valuable time in order to put the movement on its feet. The very fact that they, who are successful farmers have given their time to this cause, must make any young farmer who gives any thought to the matter, realise the worth of the movement. The benefits that one receives, educationally and otherwise, through being a member are many. To me, after an agricultural course at High School, the Young Farmers’ Club was a continuation of my farming education. After having had practical experience in farming and worked on the land, one’s interest is far greater than was the case in school days. That is why I always contend that we should aim at drawing our members from those young men who have just left school or college. My object always, whether listening to lectures by men experienced in their department of farming, or when watching demonstrations, etc, is to ask myself, can I make use of these ideas at home? Any hints I consider worth remembering I jot down in a note book, and often have made valuable use of these notes at a later date. Through the Young Farmers’ Club I have developed a keener interest in types of farming, whether engaged in that particular branch or not. Also to strive and do something better and not be content with present results. In this lies plenty of scope for thought and makes farming more interesting. The farmer who never aims at something better, has missed many of the joys that his occupation can bring. To meet with fellow members, exchange ideas and try out new ones and to listen to lectures by men fired with enthusiasm, keeps one alive to ones job. In our movement the club spirit is, as time goes by, more prevalent, many members consider a social hour after meetings oi greater interest than the meeting itself. As one having held executive position in a Young Farmers’ Club, I consider that position of as great a value as any. The responsibility and experience of running a club is at times not always pleasant and takes up a gooa deal of time. Nevertheless 1 consider that time well spent. There is more in running a club than meets the eye oi the average member, but the responsibility of that position has brought many a member out of his shell, to do valuable work and gain experience that he otherwise woula not have done. This experience must equip him fordoing a better service to tne farming community in later life. Although too many changes in tne personel oi a cluo executive is not desirable, I consider that as many members as possible should be given the opportunity to gain experience in this neld. Lhrougnout tne Young Farmers' Cluo organisation, the Dominion executive councils, district committees ana cluos tnemselves, every effort is oeiris made to increase tne effectiveness oi cluos. Suggestions nave been matte and carneu out to advantage, yet tnai is no reason wny we snourn oe content with wnat we are now umng. To my mmd no club snouid be coniem till in tne possession oi ns own club rooms. I Know tms is a big item, out many clubs are fairly nnanenu anu there is no reason wny a certain amount eacn year snouid not be set aside tor that .purpose. Tnere is no question as to me advantage of such rooms and their advantage to members when in town. To maintain interest in a club we must work in the social and educational sides, so as not to overdo either. Far too many people think the Young Farmers’ Club exists tor the pleasure members get out of it, such as trips and tours, and lose site of the educational value of such trips. I have met young men who would not join the club because they could not take pari in these trips. After all, the basis of the work done is at meetings and wc must convince such persons that that is so. I have attended meetings of many clubs from time to time, a noticeablefeature being the difference in the atmosphere in one club to another. To my mind, in many clubs, members do not know one another well enough. It these clubs followed the example of many others, and introduced supper and a social hour after meetings, they would get to know one another better and develop more discussions and interest at meetings. The chairman and secretary especially, must be alive to their job. They make or mar a club. They must keep in personal touch with their members. It is surprising the difference it can make if members are kept in touch with what is being done, i not by post, but by personal contact. In Great Britain no young farmer can become a member of a Young Far- ■ mers’ Club unless he takes part in some project. Although not compulsory, I am of the opinion that more practical competitions should be worked up creating keener interest and competition between members.

ideal would be Young Farmers’ Club shows, but competitions such as crop growing, shearing, ploughing, etc, would be excellent. My final suggestion is for making theclub meeting more interesting. We all have to face problems from time to time on the farm, let us bring up these problems at meetings by asking questions. Perhaps some other member knows more about the subject than we do and can give some information. If not, let the question be referred to someone who does know something about the matter and the answer given at the next meeting. We have behind' . us for valuable assistance in this matter, the Department of Agriculture who, at all times are only too willing to help us. We should be proud that we belong to a Young Farmers’ Club, let us do all in our power to push it along; without every member doing his part, we cannot achieve the success that the movement deserves.