118 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

 CHAPTER VIII
 Lifeblood of a Cooperative

 A really strong and well-operated cooperative is one
that results from keeping its members and the general
public well informed, according to various national
authorities in the field of agriculture. I. W. Duggan,
recent governor of the Farm Credit Administration, men-
tions that a good Information and Education program is
the lifeblood of a cooperative.
 He comments on the fact that the big successful co-
ops are the ones whose affairs are as visible as the well-
known goldfish. "Every member of the group is informed
of what the co-op is doing by both personal contact and
usually by means of a house-organ, while the general
public is informed and educated by use of various other
publicity and educational media.
 A house organ is a strong connecting link between
the co-op and its members. It can be a mimeographed
sheet, or a small newspaper, or even a small booklet that
it sent to members regularly giving detailed and accurate
information concerning personal items and news of var-
ious meetings, various technical articles, latest quotes on
items and supplies, write-ups about various departments,
features on farm operations and services the association
renders to the members.
 For further information on the use of house organs,
we suggest you contact the Farmer Cooperative Service.
U S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C., and
request the pamphlet, "Membership Pubhcations Tell
the Story."

 If the members of the cooperative intend to build a
better understanding of their organization, the co-op's
budget should include a sum of money for use in better-
ing public relations Such funds can be used in educa-
tional exhibits at county fairs, advertisements in local