Raises eight questions for ACE members: " 1) Are we glorified clerks or are we scientists? 2) What are desirable forms of publication and information materials? Scientists are demanding longer bulletins. The public is calling for shorter. 3) What should be the professional training of men and women to become agricultural and home editors? One school suggests that all that is needed in our fields is a certain facility -- we are engaged in a science -- home scientists measure success by acceptance in AP and UP. 4) Is there opportunity for research in the field of farm and home editing? 5) What is to be the future of agriculture and what leadership will the college of agriculture, the experiment stations, and the USDA be called upon to give? Together with our institutions, we must begin long-time planning. 6) What place has and will the radio have in carrying to the people the results of research? 7) How shall we measure results in our field? 8) What are we going to do about it?"
Author reports that Kansas State has offered a news writing course for agricultural students for more than a decade, and with good results.. Believes a course in news writing should not be a universal requirement in the agricultural college curriculum, but emphasizes skills in English.
Recommendations from the Professional Development Committee of AAACE. They include sabbatical leaves, exchange appointments, short-term media experience (unpaid leave from college position). "Members of the association were emphatic in their statement that editors should be given the same privileges of sabbatical leave as other college workers and that they should develop their jobs and positions so that they would have a rank equivalent to that of any professorship on the campus."
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."
"The organic act which lies back of the work college editors are doing provides for the gathering and dissemination of information. It was never intended that public funds should be used for "institutional promotion," "propaganda," "press-agenting," "space-grafting," "publicity," "self laudation," "selling" or call it what you will. If "institutional promotion" - to give it the benefit of the least obnoxious designation - comes as a "by-product" of news and helpful information, there's no harm done. But an item aimed to benefit the institution rather than the person who reads that item is not only subversive to the purposes of the college, but is also subversive to the interests of the so-called "by-product." The college has no mandate to work the newspapers; yet it has a sufficient warranty to work for its readers."
Response to "'Selling' vs. news" by Bristow Adams, Cornell University. Harris notes that the Cornell president and dean probably spend time seeking support from the legislature or other sources for their institution and its work. Asks if their efforts are (as Adams argued) "subversive to the purpose of the college?" Also observes that a pastor is paid for ministering to the souls of his flock, but he pauses frequently to pass the collection plate. "I maintain that if education is worth having, then it is justifiable to educate people to support educational institutions."
Survey report at annual AAACE meeting. "About 40 per cent of the county extension agents now furnish extension information to their local newspapers regularly, only a very few altogether neglecting to do so, but there is a distinct need for editorial training for agents." Among the training means proposed: journalism courses for prospective agents while in college, state news-writing training meetings held by the college editor for county agents, correspondence courses in news writing, and bulletins on news writing. American Association of Agricultural College Editors.
Author said the field for home economics extension has become so broad that it is beginning to take rank with agriculture in its diversity of interests. It would be most helpful, she said, if the editors in the various states could associate with them assistant editors, women well trained in both home economics and journalism, who could adequately give popular expression to home demonstration work.
Author emphasizes intellectual curiosity as a striking characteristic of the effective agricultural college editor. Among other cited credentials: agricultural college education, newspaper training and practical farm experience.
The report notes that many college operated radio stations have experienced restricted operations during the past year. "Those institutions fortunate enough to have a satisfactory place in the air are furnishing a valuable service and should safeguard their present allotments by sound program development. Commercial stations offer a broad and increasing opportunity for the college information services to reach thousands of their people through a medium so important in the present day scheme of things as to demand careful consideration."
Reports three experiences in which Georgia State College of Agriculture contracted with commercial firms to provide information for paid advertisements and accompanying news releases to newspapers.
"A newspaper mat service now in its third year of use by the Missouri Agricultural Extension Service is believed by the author to be one of the best informational mediums used by the state."
Features a cooperative program through which the Arkansas Extension Service distributes farming information in the form of stuffers that accompany mailings from banks.
Reports on a national survey of the organization and operations of editorial offices in land-grant institutions. Results revealed "an utter lack of uniformity in organization and duties in the 31 institutions reporting." Summary provides three case examples of centralized and decentralized operations. Staff numbers range from 1 to 6. Also reveals institutions in which the editorial offices provide journalism teaching.
Brief summary of a talk by W. P. Kirkwood, University of Minnesota, at 1931 AAACE convention, Corvallis, Oregon.. American Association of Agricultural College Editors.
Brief summary of a talk by Wilbur D. Staats, extension editor, State College of Washington, at 1931 AAACE convention, Corvallis, Oregon. American Association of Agricultural College Editors.
Brief summary of a talk by C.E. Randall, editor, U.S. Forest Service, at 1931 AAACE convention, Corvallis, Oregon. American Association of Agricultural College Editors.
Brief summary of a talk by Reuben Brigham, Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, at the 1931 AAACE meeting in Corvallis, Oregon. American Association of Agricultural College Editors.
Brief summary of a presentation by Judge John C. Kendall, Portand, Oregon radio attorney, at the 1931 AAACE meeting in Corvallis, Oregon. Concerns during following discussion centered on the role of educational radio stations. American Association of Agricultural College Editors.
Brief summary of comments prepared by Andrew W. Hopkins, University of Wisconsin, for the 1931 AAACE meeting, Corvallis, Oregon. Urges the license and maintenance of educational stations entirely independent of commercial control or direction. American Association of Agricultural College Editors.
Reports that WEAO, Ohio State University's radio station at Columbus, has "emerged as victor in a war with the Federal Radio Commission." FRC favored limiting the station to daytime hours, with evening hours used by commercial advertisers. Sixteen Ohio farm organizations joined the effort "in denouncing the attempt to squeeze education off the air."
Radio program announcements have been appearing in various forms - bulletin, press release and pamphlet - from Kansas, Oregon, Michigan, South Dakota and Nebraska. Brief sketches of extension radio activities.
