"The agricultural college editors stand at a very strategic point in the field of agricultural leadership. Through them the productive research of our laboratories may become articulate. As interpreters, they are liaison officers between the scientist and the farmer. The future of agriculture depends largely upon the quality of this interpretative process."
Brief summary of a talk by W. P. Kirkwood, University of Minnesota, at 1931 AAACE convention, Corvallis, Oregon.. American Association of Agricultural College Editors.
Reports results of a national survey among experiment station editors about their present information organization and their suggestions about how they would like their present setup changed for more efficient operation. Seventy-eight percent cast their vote for a coordinated setup (involving agricultural research, extension and possibly resident instruction). Fifty-four percent of respondents operated currently in a coordinated setup and like it; 24 percent operated in a decentralized arrangement but wanted to change.
Author observes that agricultural college editors have an inferiority complex. "I am firmly convinced that the general level of the output of the editorial offices is far higher than that of many of the other departments with which you work."
Abstracted from a talk at the 1935 AAACE meeting, Cornell University, New York. A strong case for reporting vividly, from observation, and with heart. "Flesh and blood on bare bones."
