North Carolina Agricultural

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North Carolina Agricultural

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When the act was singed the Negro population of the South, fifty years removed ... To advance vocational education in public 'negro' schools ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation

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Title: North Carolina Agricultural

1
By Dr. Antoine J. Alston Associate Professor
Coordinator
North Carolina Agricultural Technical State
University School of Agriculture Environmental
Sciences Department of Agribusiness, Applied
Economics, Agriscience Education
North Carolina Agricultural Technical State
University School of Agriculture Environmental
Sciences Department of Agribusiness, Applied
Economics, Agriscience Education
2
Introduction
North Carolina Agricultural Technical State
University School of Agriculture Environmental
Sciences Department of Agribusiness, Applied
Economics, Agriscience Education
3
Who has historically controlled public school
education in the United States? Federal or
State Government
North Carolina Agricultural Technical State
University School of Agriculture Environmental
Sciences Department of Agribusiness, Applied
Economics, Agriscience Education
4
Prelude to the NFA

The United States Constitution and Public School
Education
Primarily left to the states control
Structurally different from state to state
The 1862 Land Grant College Act (a milestone in
the development of a formal training program in
agriculture) Federal Education Input

North Carolina Agricultural Technical State
University School of Agriculture Environmental
Sciences Department of Agribusiness, Applied
Economics, Agriscience Education
5
Prelude to the NFA

1880 Booker T. Washington (established
agricultural teaching for negro boys in his
little one-room school at Tuskegee, Alabama. )
The 1890 Land Grant College Act (formal
collegiate training for negro students interested
in agriculture)

North Carolina Agricultural Technical State
University School of Agriculture Environmental
Sciences Department of Agribusiness, Applied
Economics, Agriscience Education
6
Plessy vs. Ferguson (Doctrine Separate but
equal) provided the basis for a permissive
policy of segregation of the races, in
educational establishments and otherwise, in the
South.
The 1896-97 Supreme Court The members of the
United States Supreme Court, 1896-97. Under Chief
Justice Melville Fuller, the Court established
the separate-but-equal rule. (Plessy vs. Ferguson
Courtesy of Supreme Court of the United States)
7
Prelude to the NFA

With the Separate but equal doctrine in place,
the plan of operation under the Smith Hughes Act
of 1917 (National Vocational Education Act)
provided for Negro departments and White
Departments of Vocational Agriculture in the
South.
When the act was singed the Negro population of
the South, fifty years removed from the slave
economy of cotton farming, was still
predominantly a rural people.
The migration stream to northern industry had
hardly begun.

North Carolina Agricultural Technical State
University School of Agriculture Environmental
Sciences Department of Agribusiness, Applied
Economics, Agriscience Education
8
Prelude to the NFA

Three priors to the passage of Smith Hughes,
provisions under the Smith Lever Act (cooperative
agricultural extension) placed a Negro on the job
as a federal agent for the promotion of this
work.
Prominent Negro leadership expected a similar
arrangement would be implemented under the Smith
Hughes Act.
Disappointment existed when a southern white man
was appointed as the Federal Agent for Special
Groups (Black, Hispanic, and Native American at
the time).

North Carolina Agricultural Technical State
University School of Agriculture Environmental
Sciences Department of Agribusiness, Applied
Economics, Agriscience Education
9
Prelude to the NFA

Dr. H.O. Sargent, a native of Russellville,
Alabama was appointed by the Federal Board for
Vocational Education as the first Federal Agent
for Vocational Agricultural Education- Special
Groups.
Because of his unique personality he was widely
excepted by Negro agricultural educators.
Under his leadership many Negro teacher trainers,
resident teacher trainers and supervisors were
awarded Julius Rosenwald fellowships for graduate
study.

North Carolina Agricultural Technical State
University School of Agriculture Environmental
Sciences Department of Agribusiness, Applied
Economics, Agriscience Education
10
Founding of the NFA

In 1927 G.W. Owens, Teacher Trainer of Virginia
State College wrote the constitution and by-laws
for the New Farmers of Virginia, which was
comprised of eighteen chapters and 400 members.
In May 1927 the New Farmers of Virginia held
their first State meeting and rally and Virginia
State College In Petersburg, VA.
At the suggestion of Dr. H.O. Sargent other
states began to develop similar chapters and were
supplied the constitution and by-laws of the New
Farmers of Virginia.

North Carolina Agricultural Technical State
University School of Agriculture Environmental
Sciences Department of Agribusiness, Applied
Economics, Agriscience Education
11
NFA Purpose

As outlined in its constitution the purposes of
the NFA were to
To create more interest in the intelligent choice
of farming
To encourage cooperative effort among students of
vocational agriculture
To develop rural leadership
To promote thrift
To advance vocational education in public negro
schools

North Carolina Agricultural Technical State
University School of Agriculture Environmental
Sciences Department of Agribusiness, Applied
Economics, Agriscience Education
12
NFA Sectional Groups

First sectional group meeting was held at
Virginia State College in 1928 (Washington
Section Formed at this meeting.)
Washington Section( Eastern Section) North
Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, (Maryland,
West Virginia, New Jersey Later Added)
Almot Section (Originally called the A-L-Tex-O
Section) Arkansas, Louisana, Mississippi,
Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas
Sargent Section (Originally called the Gulf
Section) Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee,
Kentucky
From 1928 1935 the sectionals held meetings in
the various states of their section.

North Carolina Agricultural Technical State
University School of Agriculture Environmental
Sciences Department of Agribusiness, Applied
Economics, Agriscience Education
13
NFA Takes Shape

Between the years 1927 1931 the idea of a
National Organization of New Farmers of American
began to take shape for the purposes of promoting
vocational agriculture in the Negro schools of
the Southland.
At the Orangeburg meeting of the Eastern Section
(Washington) in 1929 the consensus of opinion of
representatives was not only feasible but highly
desirable.
A committee was appointed to submit
recommendations at the next sectional meetings
for the organization and also to design
appropriate pins, medals, and keys. S. B.
Simmons chaired the committee.

North Carolina Agricultural Technical State
University School of Agriculture Environmental
Sciences Department of Agribusiness, Applied
Economics, Agriscience Education
14
Founding of the NFA

Dr. Sargent in conjunction with Negro Teacher
Trainers in the various states scheduled the
first National Convention of the New Farmers of
America for August 4, 5, 6, 7, 1935, at Tuskegee
Institute, Alabama.

North Carolina Agricultural Technical State
University School of Agriculture Environmental
Sciences Department of Agribusiness, Applied
Economics, Agriscience Education
15
Founding of the NFA

The program agreed upon provided eight features
1. Preliminary sessions for introductions and
general
orientation
2. Business session-temporary organization
3. Business sessions permanent organization
4. Elimination contest-oratorical
5. Work of committees
6. First national judging contest
7. Oratorical contest
8. Entertainment

North Carolina Agricultural Technical State
University School of Agriculture Environmental
Sciences Department of Agribusiness, Applied
Economics, Agriscience Education
16
Founding of the NFA

National Conventions
2nd Hampton Institute, Virginia (Tentative
Constitution Formally Adopted)
3rd (1937) Prairie View State and Industrial
College,
Prairie View Texas
4th (1938) Georgia State College, Savanna,
Georgia
5th (1939) Borden Town, New Jersey
6th (1940) Pine Bluff, Arkansas
(All conventions after this were held in Atlanta,
Georgia)

During the first six of years of national
existence the NFA operated outside of the U.S.
Office of Education, except on a consultative
basis.
The arrangement was for a quasi-headquarters at
AT College, Greensboro, North Carolina, with
S.B. Simmons, State Supervisor of Vocational
Agriculture in Negro Schools serving as executive
secretary-treasurer and with Dr. H.O. Sargent
serving as a roving consultant and general
advisor throughout the several states.

J.R. Thomas, Teacher Trainer Virginia State
College and Church Banks, Teacher Trainer,
Prairie View AM College, served as national
advisors.
Communication with Simmons was done primarily by
mail given the driving distance.
Simmons spearheaded planning for each national
convention filling in program details after
arriving at general agreement on format from the
Washington office and the national advisor.

The NFA Emblem is comprised of five symbols
Plow representing tillage of the soil,
the basis of agriculture
Owl representing wisdom
Rising Sun representing progress
Open Boll of Cotton, with two leaves
attached at its base representing
important economic agricultural
interests
American Eagle, with shield, arrows, and
olive branch representing the wide
scope of the organization
The Emblem also included the letters NFA
and the words Vocational Agriculture

President Rising Sun
Vice President Plow
Secretary Cotton Boll
Treasurer Picture of Booker T. Washington
Reporter United States flag and NFA Flag
Advisor Owl and picture of H.O. Sargent

(Please see page 26 of the Guide For NFA (1962)
for specific officer duties.)
North Carolina Agricultural Technical State
University School of Agriculture Environmental
Sciences Department of Agribusiness, Applied
Economics, Agriscience Education
21
NFA Chapter Officers (May Be Added)

Watchman Straight stick of native wood
Historian Scrapbook
Parliamentarian Stewarts Help In Mastering
Parliamentary Procedure
Chaplain Bible
Song Leader Baton

Student Officers
President
Three Vice Presidents
(One from each NFA section)
Secretary
Treasurer
Reporter

North Carolina Agricultural Technical State
University School of Agriculture Environmental
Sciences Department of Agribusiness, Applied
Economics, Agriscience Education
23
NATIONAL OFFICERS

Adult Offices
Administrative Adviser (Chief of the Agricultural
Education Service U.S. Office of Education)
Adviser
Three Sectional Advisers (One from each NFA
section)
Administrative Executive Secretary (Designated
from the staff of the Chief of the Agricultural
Education Service U.S. Office of Education)
Executive Secretary
Executive Treasurer

North Carolina Agricultural Technical State
University School of Agriculture Environmental
Sciences Department of Agribusiness, Applied
Economics, Agriscience Education
24
Board of Trustees

The student officers, Administrative Adviser
Adviser, Adviser, Administrative Executive
Secretary, Executive Treasurer, and outgoing
National President constituted the Board of
Trustees

North Carolina Agricultural Technical State
University School of Agriculture Environmental
Sciences Department of Agribusiness, Applied
Economics, Agriscience Education
25
Board of Trustees

Active Membership Degrees
Farm Hand
Improved Farmer
Modern Farmer
Superior Farmer

H.O. Sargent (Young Farmer Award)
Given annually to the most successful former
student of vocational agriculture who has been
out of school for 3 but not more than 10 years
Must have completed four years of in day-unit,
all-day, or young famers classes
Star Superior Farmer given to outstanding
active members who have reached a high degree of
proficiency in farming and community leadership

Star Modern Farmer (State awards only) Given to
the most outstanding modern farmer in each state.
Dairy Farming Given to the most outstanding
dairy farmer in each state.
Farm Mechanics Designed to promote achievement
in the care, operation, and repair of farm
machinery.
Farm Electrification Because electricity had
been extended to rural areas, students were
encouraged to become proficient in this area

Farm and Home Improvement Designed to stimulate
activities for increasing the farm income and
beautifying the farm home.
Soil and Water Management Designed to encourage
approved practices in effectively managing soil
and water resources.

Public Speaking Designed to develop the ability
of students to speak forcefully and effectively
before an audience.
Quartet Designed to develop a greater
appreciation for good music, including Negro
Spirituals
Quiz Established to stimulate a thorough study
of the NFA constitution, NFA Guide, and
Parliamentary Practice
Talent (NFA Award) This award was designed to
encourage desirable entertainment and develop
musical ability.

North Carolina Agricultural Technical State
University School of Agriculture Environmental
Sciences Department of Agribusiness, Applied
Economics, Agriscience Education
30
Legalizing The NFA

At first the NFA operated autonomously outside of
the Office of Education, having as a national
advisor a teacher trainer from one of the member
states and an executive secretary-treasurer from
another member state.
In 1941 rumors began from Washington that the NFA
would have to be legalized by being brought under
the guidance and control on the Agricultural
Education Branch of the U.S. Office of Edcuation.

North Carolina Agricultural Technical State
University School of Agriculture Environmental
Sciences Department of Agribusiness, Applied
Economics, Agriscience Education
31
Legalizing The NFA

Negro teacher trainers and supervisors were urged
to attend a meeting the evening prior to the
seventh National NFA Convention.
At this meeting is was made clear that the
attendees were to vote for approval of the
transitional plan else federal funds could no
longer be used to subsidize traveling expenses
incident to participation in NFA activities.

North Carolina Agricultural Technical State
University School of Agriculture Environmental
Sciences Department of Agribusiness, Applied
Economics, Agriscience Education
32
Legalizing The NFA

From this point forward Negro control of the NFA
was never the same.
Over the next twenty five years repeated attempts
were made to obtain an administrative position
for a Negro within The Agricultural Education
Branch of the Office of Education with no success
ever being made. (A.W. Tenney served as both
the FFA Executive Secretary and the
Administrative NFA Executive Secretary)

North Carolina Agricultural Technical State
University School of Agriculture Environmental
Sciences Department of Agribusiness, Applied
Economics, Agriscience Education
33
The Merger/Absorption
North Carolina Agricultural Technical State
University School of Agriculture Environmental
Sciences Department of Agribusiness, Applied
Economics, Agriscience Education
34
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954)
Factors Influencing Merger
George E.C. Hayes, Thurgood Marshall, and James
Nabrit, congratulating each other, following
Supreme Court decision declaring segregation
unconstitutional
North Carolina Agricultural Technical State
University School of Agriculture Environmental
Sciences Department of Agribusiness, Applied
Economics, Agriscience Education
35
Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title IV)
Factors Influencing Merger
President Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act of
1964. Among the guests behind him is Dr. Martin
Luther King.
North Carolina Agricultural Technical State
University School of Agriculture Environmental
Sciences Department of Agribusiness, Applied
Economics, Agriscience Education
36
Implications of Merging the NFA and FFA

NFA would give up all name, charter,
constitution, bylaws, special prizes, awards,
insignia, emblem, jacket, creed, flag, banner,
colors, adult leadership for guidance,
consultation and advice.
FFA would give up nothing, not even a one board
membership for the NFA.
The National FFA Membership would be increased by
13 percent, while in some southern states the
membership would increase by as much as 25 to 30
percent.

North Carolina Agricultural Technical State
University School of Agriculture Environmental
Sciences Department of Agribusiness, Applied
Economics, Agriscience Education
37
Resolutions of the National Advisory Council and
the National Board of Trustees of the New
Farmers of America (Joint Meeting of Controlling
Boards To Discuss The Merger July 1965)

Resolution No. 1 The National FFA Constitution
and Charter be reconstituted to include
representation of both groups included in the
merger
Resolution No. 2 The Secretary of Health,
Education, and Welfare be petitioned to establish
a permanent Civil Service position within twelve
months after the merger to handle the increased
administrative burden at the National level, and
that this position be specifically earmarked for
an African American.

North Carolina Agricultural Technical State
University School of Agriculture Environmental
Sciences Department of Agribusiness, Applied
Economics, Agriscience Education
38
Resolutions of the National Advisory Council and
the National Board of Trustees of the New
Farmers of America (Joint Meeting of Controlling
Boards To Discuss The Merger July 1965)

Resolution No. 3 To allow State Association
treasuries of NFA to give whatever relief that
may be allowable to local chapters that must
replace NFA paraphernalia with FFA paraphernalia.
Resolution No. 4 Given that the merging of the
NFA and FFA is a wholesome product of the Civil
Rights Act passed by the U.S. Congress in 1964,
be it required that the U.S. Department of
Justice be asked for a legal review of the
resolutions Numbers 1, 2, 4, and 4.

North Carolina Agricultural Technical State
University School of Agriculture Environmental
Sciences Department of Agribusiness, Applied
Economics, Agriscience Education
39
Resolutions of the National Advisory Council and
the National Board of Trustees of the New
Farmers of America (Joint Meeting of Controlling
Boards To Discuss The Merger July 1965)

The presentation of the resolutions converted an
amicable atmosphere into one of consternation,
suspicion, and off side whispers
After discussion in open assembly the Chief of
the Agricultural Education branch of the Office
of Education called the Adult NFA officers aside
and emphasized the hazards to intra-branch
progress in solving the problem if these
resolutions were implemented at this time.

North Carolina Agricultural Technical State
University School of Agriculture Environmental
Sciences Department of Agribusiness, Applied
Economics, Agriscience Education
40
Resolutions of the National Advisory Council and
the National Board of Trustees of the New
Farmers of America (Joint Meeting of Controlling
Boards To Discuss The Merger July 1965)

Following the meeting, the two groups went their
respective ways and began planning their national
conventions for the first and second weeks in
October.
Open lines of communications were maintained
during this time to plan the merging ceremony to
be conducted during the FFA Convention in Kansas
City.
All went well in Atlanta with the final NFA
Convention and in Kansas City with the FFA
Convention.
At the merging ceremony there was evidence of
congeniality of acceptance, in public display
with several appearances of the 50 voice NFA
chorus then appearing as the FFA chorus.

North Carolina Agricultural Technical State
University School of Agriculture Environmental
Sciences Department of Agribusiness, Applied
Economics, Agriscience Education
41
Resolutions of the National Advisory Council and
the National Board of Trustees of the New
Farmers of America (Joint Meeting of Controlling
Boards To Discuss The Merger July 1965)

Both President Lyndon Johnson and Vice President
Hubert Humphrey by telephonic address praised the
merging feature very highly, and related it to
upward bound of the great society.
It should be noted that in the minutes of the
Governing Committee of the FFA November 30, 1965
(a month later) there appeared a note that
efforts to obtain an appointment of a former NFA
member as a regional representative for
agriculture who could serve as a member of the
FFA Board of Directors was not approved by U.S.
Office of Education Officials.

North Carolina Agricultural Technical State
University School of Agriculture Environmental
Sciences Department of Agribusiness, Applied
Economics, Agriscience Education
42
Final Thoughts

The function of education is to teach one to
think intensively and to think critically...
Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of
true education.
Dr. Martin Luther King