AMERICAN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION, an agricultural organization founded in 1919 as an outgrowth of the county farm bureau movement, which was organized to provide a constructive organization to work with the county agricultural agents, to assist more effectively in carrying forward the extension program. County bureaus, voluntary societies of farmers, were organized as early as 1914 in various States. These county units gradually banded themselves together into State federations. In 1919, representatives of 37 State farm bureaus met in Chicago and worked out plans for the organization of the American Farm Bu reau Federation. The organization is (194o) comprised of 4o State federations, 1,72o county farm bureaus and approximately 15,000 community units. National headquarters are maintained at 58 East Washington street, Chicago. Here also are the editorial offices of The Nation's Agriculture, official magazine of the federation. Offices for the legislative department are maintained at Washing ton, D. C.
Officers of the organization include a president and vice presi dent, elected biannually, and a board of directors, elected by regions for terms of two years. The number of board members is based on the amount of membership in the four geographic regions.
The purpose of the American Farm Bureau Federation, as stated in its articles of incorporation, is as follows: "The objects of this organization shall be to correlate and strengthen the State farm bureaus and similar State organizations of the several States affiliated with the national Federation; to promote, protect and represent the business, economic, social, and educational interests of the farmers of the nation ; and to develop agriculture." The program of service of the organization is directed toward: (1) Securing parity prices for agricultural commodities ; (2) Es tablishing better merchandising methods on the farm; (3) Raising the living standards of American agriculture; (4) Developing well rounded rural communities; (5) Securing more efficient farm pro duction. Membership in the organization totals more than 400,000 farm families. A farm bureau membership includes the entire family. This membership dictates the policies and program of work for the entire organization in this fashion. Farm bureau members attend their regular community meetings and decide on certain farm policies and activities as necessary to their well being. Those dealing with problems outside the scope of their immediate community are passed on to the county farm bureau for attention. Similar action is taken at the county farm bureau and the sum total of county farm bureau resolutions comprise the program of work for the State federations. The State farm bureaus, in turn, send their representatives to the annual meeting held by the Ameri can Farm Bureau Federation in December of each year. (J.J.L.) See O. M. Kile, The Farm Bureau Movement (1921).