Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 January 1918 — 522 Farmers’ Institute In State [ARTICLE]

522 Farmers’ Institute In State

Lafayette, Jan. 11. —No less than 522 farmers’ institutes will be in Indiana during the winter season, figures given out by the Extension Department of Purdue University today. Of this number, 27 were held during November and 101 in December. Two hundred and seventeen are scheduled for January and 177 for February. ~ Due to the backward season and the labor shortage which has kept many farmers at home, the attendance thus far has been slightly below normal. However, the interest shown in these meetings which have reached to the most isolated communities in the state, has been keener than usual. “Increased food production is gaining ground rapidly,” said Prof. W. C. Latta, farmers’ institute specialist, in speaking of the work. “The best interest is being shown and I am confident we will have the most successful season in the history of institute work. Each speaker has one of more subjects adapted to the war emergency work, and in each community some patriotic work is done in this way. In practically every section the people are responding to the government’s call, and it is rarely that any anti-war feeling is found.” Reports from the various township and county institutes show that in many cases the- success of the meetings is due-to the work ,of a live, wide-awake chairman. In some places in spite of the season’s handicaps and bad weather, attendance has been unusually large, due to the hard work of the chairman and secretary and a few workers in the organization.