Entertaining the Farmers of an Entire State

Entertaining the Farmers of an Entire State How the Utah Agricultural College Cemented the Ties that Bind it to the Country Side By D. E. Robinson, of the Utah Agricultural College This year the Utah Agricultural College revised its slogan, "The whole state is the Campus of the U. A, C." to read, "The U. A. C. Campus is the Playground for the Whole State." From August 2 to 5 the College entertained nearly fifteen hundred farmers, farmers' wives and farmers' children at the first annual summer encampment. The encampment was under the auspices of the Extension Division of the College. The farm bureaus of nearly every county of Utah, with their county agents, co-operated and did much to make the outing a success. The idea was this — to bring as many farmers to the College, which is located in Logan, Cache county, Utah, as possible — to let them camp on the grounds — to afford them full opportunities ': Is ffi'.» Mil '"J \ • • t Jr* mHhH NHM|SmW ^^^EF •'vftW B m .^jK"* Wm: ' y i -<8|3Mp*-' ^^^ j Making wagons, aeroplanes and tool boxes while their mothers and fathers are, as one enthusiastic farmer expressed it, "Having a second honeymoon"

ENTERTAINING THE FARMERS OF AN ENTIRE STATE 1079 for play — to put on special exhibits and demonstrations for their instruction — and to conduct a few interesting assemblies at which nationally famous speakers would appear on the pro- gram. It was hoped by this means to give the farmers and their families a pleasant vacation and to give them a more complete understanding of the Utah Agricultural College and its work. The encampment was a wonderful success. Nearly fifteen hundred visitors accepted the invitation of the college to romp on the campus. They enjoyed every minute of the four days there and went home only after requesting a similar opportun- ity next year. The visitors came from every corner of the A group of special guests of the Encampment sampling butter milk provided by the Department of Dairy Husbandry. Left to right — President Elmer G. Peterson, of the U. A. C; Governor Charles R. Mabey of Utah; Attorney General Cluff of Utah; Secretary of State Crockett of Utah, and Hon. C. P. Cordon, member of the Board of Trustees of the U. A. C.

ENTERTAINING THE FARMERS OF AN ENTIRE STATE 1081 A group visiting the College Dairy to see a demonstration in butter nicking. state. Seme motored nearly four hundred miles, and took two days to make the trip. Each day was filled with entertaining events. The pro- gram for Wednesday, August 3, is typical. 6:30 a. m. — All out. 6:30 — 7:30 — Dress and swim (The college pool was at the disposal of the visitors). 7:00— 8:00— Breakfast at the College Cafeteria. (Some families cooked over camp fires.) 8:00—9:00 — Livestock judging contest. 8:30 — 10:15 — Tour of grounds and buildings. 10:15— 12:00— General assembly. 12:00 — 1:00 p. m. — Dinner at cafeteria. 1:00 — 6:00— For the men — An auto excursion to the College Experiment farms. For the women — Open air meetings at which were discussed health standards, child psychology, music for the home, and recreation for the family. 6:00 — 7:00 — Swimming. Supper at cafeteria. 7:30—8:30 — The fun hour — dancing, games, singing. 8:30 — A get acquainted social. The College provided shady camp ground, electrically lighted and supplied with water, for the visitors. Tents, cots, and mattresses were supplied where the farmers came unpre- pared. The few who wished to sleep indoors were given rooms in one of the College buildings. Over two hundred children, ranging in age from a few

1082 IMPROVEMENT ERA. months to sixteen years, were brought to the encampment. These the College took full care of, thus leaving the parents free to attend the lectures and demonstrations and go on the excursions. The way the College cared for the children was remarkable. They were divided into three groups. All from the smallest to eight years of age were grouped together. The little boys were furnished hammers, saw, nails and boards and allowed to be real carpenters in an improvised carpentry shop. The little girls were given water colors, paper to cut out, a sand pile, dolls and other things dear to the child heart. Those who wanted to play outside were taken to outdoor sand piles, swings, teeters and slides. All of the time they were under constant supervision. The children ate breakfast and supper with their parents but during the day the College fed them. At ten o'clock each little tot was given a half pint bottle of new milk from the Col- lege herd, provided with straws, and two graham crackers. At noon, they were all taken to the Cafeteria. At 3 o'clock the children had milk and crackers again. A charge of twenty- five cents a day for each child was made to cover the cost of the food furnished. A second group of children consisted of the boys from eight to sixteen years old. These were taken upon hikes up Lo- gan Canyon, to the swimming pool, and to moving picture shows WUr 9| w r 1 "2m , IP I ffl! ^^^^HHpnH •i _ h§P~-j-: F " Fred L. Clegg (left) of JFasatch County, who made tlie highest score in grain judging and C. G. Adney (right) of Box Elder County, who won the live stock judging contest at the U. A. C. farmefs' encampment.

1084 IMPROVEMENT ERA. provided by the College right on the campus. The third group of girls froni eight to sixteen, were cared for in a similar way. During the entire encampment, the Department of Dairy Husbandry maintained a milk and butter-milk bar for the vis- itors. Judging contests for the farm bureau championship of Utah in livestock and grain-judging were held, and a hat and dress making contest was conducted for the women. The encampment was brought to an exciting close on the afternoon of August 5 by a baseball game for the Farm Bureau Championship of the State.