ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED | WINTER 1964 | JUNIOR FARMER AND 4-H QUARTERLY
One can hardly mark the fiftieth anniversary of Junior Farmer organization in Ontario, without being tempted to dust off the old crystal ball, to take a peak at what the next fifty years may have in store.
CRYSTAL BALL GAZING
Now, before you become too enthused, let’s remember that our crystal ball may have a few cracks in it, and we can’t guarantee its accuracy. Even so, let’s have a look into it’s misty depths.
The past fifty years have seen many vast changes in farming and rural living conditions. However, as our “Crystal” image clears we see that past change is nothing in comparison to that which lies ahead.
THE NEW LOOK
The agriculture of 2014 seems to bear a faint resemblance to the farming practices of to-day.
For example, instead of bouncing on tractors, the farmer (pardon me)--Food Production Technician, 1st class, is sitting on a swivel chair before a maze of dials, gadgets, buttons, switches, closed circuit television screens. From there, he controls his entire farm operation.
He isn’t huddling behind a tractor heat houser. He is working in an air conditioned plexiglass bubble that fits like a soup plate over his farm. Inside the temperature and humidity are regulated to produce luxurious “tropical like” growth, while outside, the winter winds whistle and blow.
“I’D RATHER SEE ONE THAT BE ONE”
Meanwhile, back in the barn, a huge mechanical cow has taken the place of the dairy herd. Green feed is conveyed into one end of this machine, while plastic containers of milk pour forth. A series of remote controls allows the farmer to select skim milk, 2% cream, cottage cheese, or whatever the market need of the moment might be.
“SEA HUNT”
Under the Great Lakes, and under the sea, large Submarine tractors are cultivating new and special crops to help feed the huge population.
PASS THE PRESCRIPTIONS
Special food concentrates have been developed. You can buy the week’s groceries in a bottle of pills, or a container like a toothpaste tube. Of course you’ll have a choice of six different flavours.
THINKING MACHINES
Now, in my crystal ball, I see a family farm of the year 2,014. Things haven’t changed much. Dad has the same problems that he had in 1964. He still has to watch his weight; put together enough cash to buy new machinery, and so on. The big worry seems to involve the amount of paper work required to process his electronic computer. There’s mountains of it. He knows if the computer fails when it’s time to file his income tax, he’ll die on the spot.
PUSH BUTTON HOUSEWORK
Things look different for Mother! Imagine planning her meals with her “portable” computer. It mixes the ingredients (or at least selects the proper ready mixes) and automatically cooks them under ultra-high radio waves, while another set of buttons cleans the house, even under the rugs. Still another set spins new clothing from synthetic fibres fed into the machine from bottles.
GOOD NEWS--MOM IS THE SAME
Mother isn’t different. She is rushing to the hairdresser, getting ready for the church bazaar and decided on a new decorator colour for the swimming pool.
The Kids are driving her crazy.
THE GOOD OLD DAYS
What about the Junior Farmers of 2014. They’re still active and haven’t changed much. They’re excited about a folk singer and his songs which tell about the old Toronto Subway in the days when it was the fastest mode of transportation.
They have a new dance craze that looks very much like the twist of Grandpa’s day.
However, these young people have a serious side. Junior Farmers have always been eager to develop and improve themselves, and the communities in which they live. This has not changed.
Their meetings of course, have a different look. They’re more concerned with the effect of atomic radiation on plant growth, or the use of high frequency radio waves in increasing food value.
SCIENTIFIC VALUE
Education is an absolute necessity for anyone who plans to stay in agriculture.
The older topics of plant and livestock production, use of fertilizers, disease control, farm management, and so on, are still important; but the Junior Farmer of 2,014 is talking much more scientifically about Agriculture. The Junior Farmer of today would listen to their scientific discussions with much the same amazement as a Junior Farmer of 1914 would listen to to-day’s discussions. The Junior Farmers of that year didn’t think in terms of diesel engines, or bulk milk coolers, for example.
THE BEAUTY OF IT ALL
The girls of the future have their special topics too, or at least the olds ones brought up to date. There are no more worries about dishpan hands;but just how do you keep from getting “push-button” fingers?
INTER-SPACIAL EXCHANGE
The traveling scholarships of to-day have expanded into a whirlwind of exchanges that probably require the organization to maintain its own travel agency. A jaunt to another continent is a weekly occurrence, while those after one of the special trips, are preparing for a rocket trip to Venus or Mars.
The whole Provincial programme of camps, leadership schools, and other activities has made everyone known to one another.
Just think of all the friends with whom the future Junior Farmers correspond!
MOON LIGHTING
The Junior Farmers, fifty years from now have a special project, a “rocket bus”. A trip to the moon for a day of sightseeing and a wiener roast at night is the highlight of a programme. I hope they remember to pack along the mustard and relish. It’s a long way home to get some.
I warned you when you began to read that this crystal ball isn’t necessarily too reliable. But it really doesn’t matter.
SERIOUSLY THOUGH
The fifty years of Junior Farmer Organization we mark with this issue, has left a record we can well be proud of. All over our province and far beyond, present and former Junior Farmers are making a lasting contribution to the growth and development of our nation.
By Jack Cockburn