~by John Beltz, Greene County Farm Bureau board member
The 100 year history of the Greene County Farm Bureau was the topic of a panel discussion hosted by the Greene County Historical Society July 10 during the Greene County Fair. The event was held at the Historical Building located at the fairgrounds and was open to the public.
The discussion was moderated by Chuck Offenburger and the panel included (from left) Greene County Farm Bureau president Perry Parker, board members Jim Giese and John Beltz, Offenburger, and Iowa Farm Bureau president Craig Hill. Administrative assistant Marilyn Parker and regional manager Jeremy Coyle were also in attendance.
The discussion began with a question by Offenburger regarding the reasons behind the creation of the Greene County Farm Bureau. The panel responded that the period from 1912 through the 1920s was a time of rapid change in Iowa agriculture. The work horse was being replaced by the tractor, which resulted in a significant increase in farm productivity. Farm crop and livestock prices, which were high during the First World War in Europe, collapsed after the war ended, resulting in an agricultural recession which lasted through the 1920s.
The Greene County Farm Bureau was therefore created by agents of the County Extension Service to help the farmer deal with these new and sometimes harsh realities. The stated objective of the new organization was to advance and improve the science and art of agriculture, domestic science, horticulture, and animal science.
The panel also noted that in later years, the Farm Bureau took on the role of advocate for the farmer in the formulation of government agricultural policy. In this regard, a process was developed to make sure that the organization’s policy was guided and developed by the membership and not by a small group at the top.
A discussion was held by the panel concerning notable Farm Bureau members from the past such as Bob Carman and Lucian Youngblood. The Greene County Farm Bureau also had an active organization for women with long time members such as Marilyn Allender.
To conclude the meeting, moderator Offenburger asked the panel to comment on what might take place during the next 100 years for the Iowa farmer. All of the panel members responded that the only thing for certain is that great change will continue to take place, and that the Greene County Farm Bureau, as it has for the last 100 years, will strive to help the farmer to adapt to this change and to prosper.
