This committee report examines relationships between extension communicators at the state level with local extension agents in providing news to mass media.
"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."
Traces developments in public programs related to agriculture (e.g., Soil Conservation Service, Tennessee Valley Authority, Rural Electrification Administration, Extension Service). "Certainly the agricultural college editors have a major responsibility for keeping the farmer and the public properly informed regarding facts and movements so they may judge wisely."
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."
"Have I forgotten the toils of the farm and home laborer? Am I unable to appreciate the folks back home; unable to place myself in their surroundings, and unable to feel and to breathe wholesomeness of rural life? If this is true, then 'back ye editor' to where you will once again become steeped in the spirit of rural America."
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?"
"We have an ample supply of investigators, but there is a shortage of readable and responsible interpreters, men who can effectively play mediator between specialist and layman."
"Little of the burning fever of research is rampant in the association. The paper on research submitted by V.R. Sill of Ohio met with no direct response. Mr. Sill observed: Perhaps they thought we wanted compliments when we asked for criticism."
Brief summary of a talk by John R. Fleming, writer for the Secretary of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, at 1931 AAACE convention, Corvallis, Oregon. He said he doubts whether it is possible for Extension to be both a propaganda and an educational institution at the same time. "As editors who want something intellectually satisfying to work for, we shall probably prefer that Extension pursue the path of education." 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.
Parts of a talk by President E.R. Price of Virginia to AAACE members at 1931 meeting, Corvallis, Oregon. American Association of Agricultural College Editors.
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 F.E. Balmer, Extension Service, State College of Washington, at the 1931 AAACE meeting in 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.
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.
Includes an organizational chart showing the extension editor's linkages with Extension administration, specialists, contact mediums, organized groups and residents of West Virginia.
Reports salaries of nine editors and six assistant editors that responded to an AAACE request for such information. Editors: range $3,500-$2,000. Mean $2,739.. Assistant editors: range $2,400-$1,200. Mean $1,850.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: Byrnes9 Document Number: D09071
Notes:
Includes Documents B00239, B01341, B02044, B02311, C08798, C12642, C12643, C12644, C12645, C12646. In four folders in the box., Francis C. Byrnes Collection
