COOPERATIVE AGRICULTURE


owned brokers to negotiate purchliases aind sales. They must
return real service and be so valuable that they are worth
a considerably higher cost.

 Cooperative agriculture is today a practical formula
by which the individual farmer, through marketing and
purchasing, can tuin his products into more profitable
channels Cooperative marketing of farm products and
purchasing of supplies represent hundreds of millions of
dollars annually. The cooperative credit system, under the
supervision of the Farm Credit Administration, embraces
approximately 1.0O0.000 voting farmer-stockholders. That
American agriculture is committed to the policy of coopera-
tive development is indicated not only by this tremendous
business and membership but also because the training of
future farm leaders in our agricultural colleges includes the
study of sound cooperative practices.

 According to records, the iirst attempt in the United
States to market collectively was by a group ol dairy
farmers in 1810. Because of difficulties and opposition the
movement grew slowly until the depression subsequent to
the World War. During this period the farmer's Ilcome
shrank tragically. Although his lands and products had
depreciated in value, those things he purchased failed to
depreciate in proportion. The situation became critical.
Both State and Federal governments found it necessary to
devise sympathetic cooperation for an economic rehabilita-
lion of agricultural stability However, it was not until !!21
that the cooperative law movement received any real
impetus At present, many governmental agencies. State
and Federal, have been created to help and foster the
growth of cooperatives.

 Through the Farm Credit Administration, the Federal
Government is putting much emphasis on the coopcra.i:iv
movement to help solve the farm problem. By the Farm
Credit Acts of 1933 and 1935 the Administiation was
authorized to permit banks for cooperatives to make loans