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West Polk County Farm Bureau

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Black and white photograph of Lois Fankhanel teaching a class at a workshop for Farm Bureau women, 1960.

Lois Fankhanel teaching a class at a workshop for Farm Bureau women, 1960.

In the late 1800s, as diversified farms began to replace large bonanza farms in Minnesota and across the U.S., Polk County farmers realized they needed help. National groups with local branches, like the Farm Bureau, formed to help farmers organize and improve their representation in laws and education. Farmers in the western part of Polk County—a particularly fertile area due to the Red River Valley’s rich topsoil—came to rely on their farm organizations as they adapted to the rising cost of transporting produce to city markets.

The Polk County Farm Bureau officially organized on December 20, 1917, in order to secure a county agent. Its members knew that such an agent would help them learn the latest farming techniques and teach their children better, more cost-effective farming practices. There were 451 founding members, with annual dues set at two dollars per member. After they helped to create the necessary extension service, county agent R. W. Van Scoik was elected on February 15, 1918, and began work.

In June 1926, the Bureau split into two different groups: one representing East Polk County and another representing West Polk County. Herman Skyberg served as the western branch’s first president.

In the late 1920s, the West Polk County Farm Bureau gathered in Crookston for its first annual county meeting and picnic. The event drew over 1,200 people, including women and children. Aware that their families were crucial to their farms’ success, farmers encouraged their relatives to become involved with the organization’s inner workings. They also created resolutions during their monthly meetings that helped guide legislators to pass new laws. These eased the burden of expenses related to seeds, implements, hired help, and transportation.

During and after the Great Depression, some Polk County farmers lost their farms. As a result, the Farm Bureau gained traction with dissatisfied farmers eager for change, many of whom also aligned themselves with the county’s 4-H clubs. In 1937, they expected 2,500 people attendees at their annual picnic.

In the early 1940s, the West Polk County Farm Bureau profiled prominent farmers in local newspapers. Two of the organization’s sixteen directors were women. In 1948, it backed 90-percent-parity-price support (adjusting commodity prices so that farmers could earn incomes comparable to other workers’). A year later, Arnold Gredvig represented Polk County when he became the Minnesota Farm Bureau’s director.

The Farmers Union was an organization that rose to prominence alongside the Farm Bureau. Unlike the majority-Republican Bureau, this new group was backed by Democratic Farmer–Labor lawmakers. On December 15, 1954, 125 West Polk Farm Bureau delegates met with Democratic legislator Coya Knutson from neighboring Red Lake County. In the 1950s, the Bureau’s membership tripled from its earlier numbers in the 1920s.

In November 1964, the Farm Bureau criticized the Commodity Credit Corporation’s (CCC’s) sale of wheat on the open market, which kept farm-commodity prices low. The Farm Bureau took the position that the CCC should not sell farmers’ wheat at market price and urged it not to sell for less than $2.50 a bushel, plus storage and administrative costs. By the late 1960s, membership had fallen below its 1950s levels. Laws, economics, the world market, and the costs of doing farm business had changed. A delegation from West Polk County took a trip to Washington, D.C., to meet with leaders.

West Polk County Farm Bureau members participated in workshops at Red River Valley Winter Shows (farming education exhibitions) in the 1960s and 1970s. The Bureau’s women remained active, organizing baking contests and hosting rural-urban banquets. Irene Wachter Jobe, the Bureau’s women’s chair, put out a call to action in the organization’s October 1967 newsletter. She encouraged members to draft sound resolutions at their annual meeting that would represent their needs to legislators. Political awareness, she argued, strengthened their commitment to “fighting for a fair shake for the farmer.”

In the mid-1980s, the Farm Bureau and the Farmers Union both sent farm reform recommendations to President Ronald Reagan. Though the organizations disagreed along partisan lines, Farm Bureau and Farmers union members alike knew they needed a unified voice to express their concerns to government leaders.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, membership in Farm Bureaus declined as large, corporate family farms replaced smaller farms.

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“A Short History of Farm Bureau.” Minnesota Farm Bureau News, October 1962.

Anderson, James. “Farm Bureau Backs 90 Percent Parity Supports.” Crookston Daily Times, November 18, 1948.

“Country, City Women Unite at Farm Bureau Luncheon.” Crookston Daily Times, May 11, 1983.

“Directors of West Polk County Farm Bureau.” Crookston Daily Times, October 25, 1940.

“Diversified Farming.” Crookston Weekly Times, July 15, 1893.

“Drainage Defeated.” Crookston Weekly Times, July 15, 1893.

“Editorially Speaking: Principles of Freedom.” Crookston Daily Times, August 3, 1972.

“Farm Bureau Agent to be Chosen Here: No Action Taken at Last Night’s Meeting at McIntosh.” Crookston Daily Times, April 12, 1928.

“Farm Bureau Baking, Poster Contest Set.” Crookston Daily Times, May 13, 1968.

“Farm Bureau Envisions Membership of 1,000 in West Polk: Fairfax–Andover Club Was Pioneer in Extension Field.” Crookston Daily Times, October 25, 1940.

“Farm Bureau Leaders from 9 Counties Meet.” Crookston Daily Times, April 8, 1954.

“Farm Bureau Members to Host City Businessmen.” Crookston Daily Times, March 11, 1968.

“Farm Bureau Relations Under Fire: County Agent Influencing Denied Here.” Crookston Daily Times, December 27, 1951.

“Farm Bureau Turned Down; 1919 Tax Levy Is Announced.” Crookston Weekly Times, July 19, 1919.

“Farm Bureau Women Name Winners in Baking Contest.” Crookston Daily Times, May 21, 1971.

“Farmers of Polk County Will Assemble in Mass Meeting Here on Saturday March 2nd.” Crookston Weekly Times, February 23, 1901.

“Farmers to Organize.” Crookston Weekly Times, December 5, 1903.

“Figures show What Farm Bureau Is Doing to Help Farmers Market Products.” Crookston Weekly Times, August 27, 1921.

“Grain Rates: A Case That Has Attained a National Reputation Is Practically Settled.” Crookston Weekly Times, June 25, 1898.

“Hines Out: Jim Hill Can Now Refuse to Give the Farmers’ Railroad Hustler a Pass.” Crookston Weekly Times, January 16, 1897.

“Plans of the Soo.” Crookston Weekly Times, May 6, 1905.

“Polk County Farm Bureau Must Not Die.” Crookston Weekly Times, December 27, 1919.

“Preserve Individual Freedoms, Speaker Urges Audience Here.” Crookston Daily Times, April 6, 1962.

“Some Mistakes: Some Words of Caution from a Practical Farmer Worth Considering.” Crookston Weekly Times, January, 16, 1897.

“West Polk Farm Bureau Calls for Tax Reform.” Crookston Daily Times, November 4, 1963.

“West Polk FB Hears of Tax Reform Benefits.” Crookston Daily Times, November 6, 1967.

“Why is It? Fertile Farmer Asks Questions Difficult to Answer.” Crookston Weekly Times, February 8, 1896.

“11,963 Callers Lay Problems before Agent.” Crookston Daily Times, October 25, 1940.

Related Images

Black and white photograph of Lois Fankhanel teaching a class at a workshop for Farm Bureau women, 1960.
Black and white photograph of Lois Fankhanel teaching a class at a workshop for Farm Bureau women, 1960.
Sheet music showing the four verses of “American Farm Bureau Spirit,” written by Lillian Atcherson and Florence Cheadle, 1930.
Sheet music showing the four verses of “American Farm Bureau Spirit,” written by Lillian Atcherson and Florence Cheadle, 1930.
Pamphlet promoting Richard Thompson Buckler, a Farm Bureau member, for re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives.
Pamphlet promoting Richard Thompson Buckler, a Farm Bureau member, for re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives.
Black and white photograph of the NWSA’s camp for farmers’ wives, hosted by the Farm Bureau on the NWSA campus, June 7–9, 1949.
Black and white photograph of the NWSA’s camp for farmers’ wives, hosted by the Farm Bureau on the NWSA campus, June 7–9, 1949.
Postcard depicting the assembly grounds of the Farmers’ Bureau camp at Lake Koronis near Paynesville, Minnesota, ca. 1950s.
Postcard depicting the assembly grounds of the Farmers’ Bureau camp at Lake Koronis near Paynesville, Minnesota, ca. 1950s.
Cartoon supporting the Farm Bureau, 1955.
Cartoon supporting the Farm Bureau, 1955.
Pro-Farm Bureau cartoon critical of anti-farm politicians, 1955.
Pro-Farm Bureau cartoon critical of anti-farm politicians, 1955.
Cartoon with Farm Bureau watchdog, 1955.
Cartoon with Farm Bureau watchdog, 1955.
Women’s program of work brochure, Minnesota Farm Bureau, 1958.
Women’s program of work brochure, Minnesota Farm Bureau, 1958.
1958 Rural-Urban Tour picnic, featuring Cliff Pyle (moderator); Gloria Jenson (consumer); Art Tweet (grocers’ problems); and Mrs. William Ewing (farmers’ problems).
1958 Rural-Urban Tour picnic, featuring Cliff Pyle (moderator); Gloria Jenson (consumer); Art Tweet (grocers’ problems); and Mrs. William Ewing (farmers’ problems).
Black and white photograph of Irene Wachter Jobe, Jean Strickler, and Mrs. Robert Wurdan, 1959.
Black and white photograph of Irene Wachter Jobe, Jean Strickler, and Mrs. Robert Wurdan, 1959.
Black and white photograph of dDistrict Farm Bureau Women’s Workshop during Red River Valley Winter Shows, 1959.
Black and white photograph of dDistrict Farm Bureau Women’s Workshop during Red River Valley Winter Shows, 1959.
Color image of a Farm Bureau story booklet, 1950s.
Color image of a Farm Bureau story booklet, 1950s.
Black and white photograph of a Farm Bureau cake contest, 1960, with Mrs. Milford Peterson (seated) as judge.
Black and white photograph of a Farm Bureau cake contest, 1960, with Mrs. Milford Peterson (seated) as judge.
Black and white photograph of a Farm Bureau workshop, 1960.
Black and white photograph of a Farm Bureau workshop, 1960.
Black and white photograph of a Farm Bureau men in fashion show, 1962.
Black and white photograph of a Farm Bureau men in fashion show, 1962.
National Farm Bureau certificate recognizing the West Polk County Farm Bureau’s 719 members, 1963.
National Farm Bureau certificate recognizing the West Polk County Farm Bureau’s 719 members, 1963.
Cover of a pamphlet about the Farm Bureau women’s programs, 1966.
Cover of a pamphlet about the Farm Bureau women’s programs, 1966.
Color image of Bruno Jurchen with his “Old Faithful” squeezebox, 1967.
Color image of Bruno Jurchen with his “Old Faithful” squeezebox, 1967.
Color image of Henry Jobe and Harold Thorson at a special demonstration about slow-moving vehicle signs for farm implements and tractors, 1967.
Color image of Henry Jobe and Harold Thorson at a special demonstration about slow-moving vehicle signs for farm implements and tractors, 1967.

Turning Point

During the 1950s, the West Polk County Farm Bureau’s membership triples from its 1920s levels.

Chronology

December 20, 1917

The Polk County Farm Bureau Association organizes in order to secure a county agent for Polk County. There are 451 members, with dues set at two dollars.

March 1921

Membership is about 680 but drops when County Agent L. M. Bond resigns due to county commissioners’ failure to provide funds for barberry eradication.

1921

Farm Bureau memberships lag. Over the next five years, no minutes of meetings are recorded while farmers grapple with difficult financial conditions.

June 1926

The Polk County Farm Bureau splits into an eastern division and a western division. The West Polk County Farm Bureau organizes elects Herman Skyberg its president.

1929

The West Polk County Farm Bureau elects Mrs. E. E. Green as its first home and community chair. She serves until 1938.

December 1930

West Polk County Bureau members sing the “American Farm Bureau Spirit” song for the first time.

May 1937

The West Polk County Farm Bureau discusses a proposed parity price bill.

June 1937

Organizers of the annual 4-H and Farm Bureau picnic expect 2,500 people to attend.

October 25, 1940

Sixteen West Polk County farm directors are profiled on the front page of the Crookston Daily Times newspaper. Two are women.

November 1948

The West Polk County Farm Bureau backs 90-percent-parity-price support for agricultural commodities.

July 1949

Arnold Gredvig from West Polk County becomes director of the Minnesota State Farm Bureau.

December 15, 1954

125 West Polk Farm Bureau delegates meet with Minnesota Representative Coya Knutson.

1961

West Polk County Farm Bureau membership triples from its numbers in the 1920s, rising to 706 members making up six active units.

November 3, 1964

The West Polk County Farm Bureau criticizes the Commodity Credit Corporation’s sale of wheat.

October 1967

Irene Wachter Jobe, the bureau’s women’s chair, writes that all farmers must remain aware of what legislators and politicians are doing. She advocates a “fair shake for the farmer.”