The Post-War Outlook for the Southern Rural Negro

Abstract

I am glad to be here tonight because this occasion offers an opportunity to pay tribute to a body of people which in my opinion is engaged in one of the most fruitful enterprises being followed by any group of governmental workers. I refer to the United States Extension Service in general and the Negro arm of extension in particular. I believe, based on my observations in most of the counties of the states in the South that Negro farmers and their wives and children, in those counties where they have had the supervision, guidance and counsel of colored county farm and demonstration agents, have made a notable contribution to the war effort of our country. Equally important, they have learned how to contribute to themselves too. They have learned how to grow live at home sustenance, which will provide sturdier, healthier families and more productive manpower and womanpower for the lower fifth of our farm population than it has ever known before. There probably are no total figures which would show how Negro farmers have kept step with the general war time increase, although estimates in several states in which records have been made available and which give a cross-section are revealing: R. E. Jones, Negro State Agent reporting for North Carolina says: As compared to four years ago