In the News - August
2008
Homespun advice from a veteran county agent
Living on the poor farm
BENTONVILLE, Ark. - The photo of the Benton County Poor Farm shown in the
Arkansas Postcard Past section of last Saturday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
reawakened a variety of thoughts. I'm certainly not one to speak with any
authority on the subject and admit my primary connection is simply the farming
association involved with this social experiment.
It seems that poor farms across the country were initially established in the
mid-19th century in an effort to care for individuals who were either poor,
misplaced or who fit any of a number of other categories. Obviously, the impact
of the Civil War served to create a number of individuals in need of care, as
well as a place to call home.
The use of farm crops to develop a self-sufficient program was a worthy goal.
Residents were involved with the production of beef and dairy products; poultry
and eggs; forage and grain; and fruits and vegetables. In addition, farming
tasks would have provided residents a meaningful vocation while being able to
recuperate physically and mentally.
It appears that poor farms were one of the first social programs implemented
across the country and, as in Benton County, they continued to serve a purpose
until the initiation of the Social Security Act in 1935.
Upon arriving in Benton County a little more than two decades ago, one old
timer mentioned that I was sitting on the poor farm. I thought his jest was
directed toward the portion of the county budget I had inherited with the move!
However, he noted the county poor farm had been located on the same site where
the County Extension Service and Health Department are now located in the Public
Services Building on Hwy 102. If anyone can clarify that point, I would
appreciate hearing from them.
A story shared by the old timer was of a local farmer who had contracted with
the poor farm director to clean out the animal manure one spring. The resident
handling the gate as the farmer exited with a wagon load asked, "What you gonna'
do with that chicken manure?" The farmer replied, "I'm taking it home to put on
my strawberries." Shaking his head in disgust, the fellow replied, "I guess we got'er
pretty good here. We get cream and sugar on ours!" Til' next week!
The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the U of A Division of
Agriculture.
August
1, 2008
By: Robert Seay
Benton County Extension Agent Staff Chair
Media Contact: Lamar James
Extension Communications Specialist
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2187 or (501) 753-0207
ljames@uaex.edu
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