American Country Life Association

Last updated
Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt at the 1931 ACLA conference (Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, August 19, 1931) Franklin D. Roosevelt in Ithaca, New York - NARA - 197033.jpg
Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt at the 1931 ACLA conference (Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, August 19, 1931)

American Country Life Association (ACLA; originally, National Country Life Association; est. 1919) was a national agency of the United States devoted to rural progress. It was the only organization of its kind of national scope, emphasizing the human factor in agriculture. [1] The ACLA maintained administrative offices and staff at 1849 Grand Central Terminal Building in New York City. [1]

Contents

The purpose of the ACLA was to encourage discussion of problems in country life and in order to meet them, to secure cooperation of persons and institutions engaged in the service of country life. It included in the sphere of "country life" home making, means of education both for children and adults, health and sanitation, recreation, local government, country planning, morals, and religion. It believed that wealth and welfare interests were interwoven and that the success of agriculture depended upon the development of people on the land. [2] It was formed by volunteer workers, who financed the work from voluntary contributions of from US$3 to US$100. [3]

History

President Theodore Roosevelt appointed the Commission on Country Life in 1908 to address concerns raised by the country life movement. One of the commission's objectives for the improvement of rural life was accomplished in 1919 through the creation of the ACLA. [4] [5]

The First National Country Life Conference was held at Baltimore in January 1918. It was attended by 175 persons from 30 states, who represented 25 national organizations and five federal bureaus engaged in country life work. The conference was such a distinct success that the National Country Life Association was formed and a committee on a permanent constitution was authorized to report at the next conference. By 1919, the association had nearly 500 members. The work already accomplished by the association, demonstrated its usefulness for bringing together the various national and state organizations and agencies engaged in the improvement of country life. World War I and the social situation ensuing gave a new vision of the importance and needs of country life. Many organizations and agencies were extending their work to rural communities. At such a time, the conference of all these forces to consider their common problems and responsibilities was valuable. The National Country Life Association had no administrative program of work. It aimed "to facilitate discussion of the problems and objectives of country life and the means of their solution and attainment; to further the efforts and increase the efficiency of agencies and institutions engaged in this field; to disseminate information calculated to promote a better understanding of country life, and to aid in rural improvement." [6]

ACLA conference, 1931 Franklin D. Roosevelt and four others in Ithaca, New York - NARA - 197032.jpg
ACLA conference, 1931

It was reported in 1920 that the ACLA was represented on the programs of national conferences of several organizations, including, the National Conference of Social Work; National Association for Public-Health Nursing; the Lane Conference on Community Organization; the National Emergency Educational Conference; the National Information Bureau; and the National Conference of Social Work: Committee on Co-ordination of Social Agencies. [7]

In 1923, after four years of preliminary work, it was prepared for much larger service. It had for the first time a full-time secretary. It was about to issue the first of a series of monthly bulletins to members. It sought to give wide publicity to the newer movements in the country life field. It was in constant consultation with members of the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C. The association, while American in origin and in its main line of work, had an international point of view and was in communication with similar movements all over the world. [2]

By 1963, the ACLA's primary concern became the establishment of a Presidential commission that would study the entire area of country life. [8]

Preamble

The American Country Life Association is maintained to facilitate discussion of the problems and objectives in country life and the means of their solution and attainment; to further the efforts and increase the efficiency of persons, agencies, and institutions engaged in this field; and to disseminate information calculated to promote a better understanding of country life and to aid in rural improvement. [6]

Activities

Its field was broadly that of rural social improvement, embracing among others the following country life interests: the rural home, rural education, morals and religion, rural government, and rural recreation. [6] It published several volumes, averaging 225 pages each, on the country life movement. [1]

The functions of the association were to: [1]

Administration

The association existed to assemble and integrate the active workers and forces in the country life field for the accomplishment of the purposes stated in the preamble. It invited executives and other representatives of national, state and local organizations working in any part of its field. Any person interested in its program could become a member on the payment of the membership fee. National, state, district and local associations or conferences could become affiliated with the association by vote of the association on the recommendation of its executive committee. [6]

The organization had many standing committees, including: Rural Home, Rural Education, Morals and Religion, Rural Government, Communication, Rural Health and Sanitation, Rural Recreation, Rural Charities and Corrections, Country Planning, Teaching of Rural Sociology in Schools and Colleges, Investigation of Rural School Problems, Enlistment and Training of Country Life Leaders, Public Information, Country Life Organization, International Relations of the Country Life Movement, and Committee on Economic Relations of Country Life Affairs. [6]

Partnerships

The ACLA had no economic program and no educational program of its own. It merely arranged to spread out at a convening at least annual the country life programs of many organizations with a view of securing closer cooperation between them. These organizations included the following: [3]

Notable people

Selected works

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Department of Agriculture</span> Department of the US government

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is an executive department of the United States federal government that aims to meet the needs of commercial farming and livestock food production, promotes agricultural trade and production, works to assure food safety, protects natural resources, fosters rural communities and works to end hunger in the United States and internationally. It is headed by the secretary of agriculture, who reports directly to the president of the United States and is a member of the president's Cabinet. The current secretary is Tom Vilsack, who has served since February 24, 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rural sociology</span> Branch of sociology

Rural sociology is a field of sociology traditionally associated with the study of social structure and conflict in rural areas. It is an active academic field in much of the world, originating in the United States in the 1910s with close ties to the national Department of Agriculture and land-grant university colleges of agriculture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Economic Research Service</span> Component of the United States Department of Agriculture

The Economic Research Service (ERS) is a component of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and a principal agency of the Federal Statistical System of the United States. It provides information and research on agriculture and economics.

The New Freedom was Woodrow Wilson's campaign platform in the 1912 presidential election, and also refers to the progressive programs enacted by Wilson during his time as president. First expressed in his campaign speeches and promises, Wilson later wrote a 1913 book of the same name. After the 1918 midterm elections, Republicans took control of Congress and were mostly hostile to the New Freedom. As president, Wilson focused on various types of reform, such as the following:

  1. Tariff reform: This came through the passage of the Underwood Tariff Act of 1913, which lowered tariffs for the first time since 1857 and went against the protectionist lobby.
  2. Labor reform: This was achieved through measures such as the Eight Hour Law for Women of the District of Columbia, the Seaman’s Act, Workmen’s Compensation for Federal employees, the Federal Child Labor Bill, and the Adamson Act. During the 1912 campaign Wilson spoke in support of workers organizing into unions while endorsing "the betterment of men in this occupation and the other, the protection of women, the shielding of children, the bringing about of social justice.”
  3. Business reform: This was established through the passage of the Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914, which established the Federal Trade Commission to investigate and halt unfair and illegal business practices by issuing "cease and desist" orders, and the Clayton Antitrust Act.
  4. Agricultural reform: This was achieved through measures such as the Cotton Futures and Smith-Lever Acts of 1914, the Grain Standards and Warehouse Acts of 1916, and the Smith-Hughes Act of 1917.
  5. Banking reform: This came in 1913 through the creation of the Federal Reserve System and in 1916 through the passage of the Federal Farm Loan Act, which set up Farm Loan Banks to support farmers.
<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agricultural education</span> Training in farming, natural resources, and land management

Agricultural education is the systematic and organized teaching, instruction and training available to students, farmers or individuals interested in the science, business and technology of agriculture as well as the management of land, environment and natural resources.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Food policy</span> Area of public policy

Food policy is the area of public policy concerning how food is produced, processed, distributed, purchased, or provided. Food policies are designed to influence the operation of the food and agriculture system balanced with ensuring human health needs. This often includes decision-making around production and processing techniques, marketing, availability, utilization, and consumption of food, in the interest of meeting or furthering social objectives. Food policy can be promulgated on any level, from local to global, and by a government agency, business, or organization. Food policymakers engage in activities such as regulation of food-related industries, establishing eligibility standards for food assistance programs for the poor, ensuring safety of the food supply, food labeling, and even the qualifications of a product to be considered organic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Farmers of America</span> Historical organization for Black youth

The New Farmers of America (NFA) was organized in Tuskegee, Alabama and became a national organization for African-American young men in 1935. The organization was formed to serve agriculture students in southern states where schools were segregated by law. Much like the National FFA Organization (FFA), NFA sought to provide young men with vocational, social and recreational activities in order to develop their skills in public speaking, leadership and agricultural trades. The two organizations merged in 1965.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Federal Security Agency</span> United States government agency

The Federal Security Agency (FSA) was an independent agency of the United States government established in 1939 pursuant to the Reorganization Act of 1939. For a time, the agency oversaw food and drug safety, education funding, administration of public health programs, and the Social Security old-age pension plan. It became the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in 1953.

The American Sexual Health Association (ASHA), formally known as the American Social Hygiene Association and the American Social Health Association, is an American nonprofit organization established in 1914, that cites a mission to improve the health of individuals, families, and communities, with an emphasis on sexual health, as well as a focus on preventing sexually transmitted infections and their harmful consequences. ASHA uses tools such as education, communication, advocacy and policy analysis activities with the intent to heighten public, patient, provider, policymaker and media awareness of STI prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment strategies.

Family life education is defined by the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) as "the educational effort to strengthen individual and family life through a family perspective. The objective of Family Life Education is to enrich and improve the quality of individual and family life." Parenting classes, pre-marriage education, marriage enrichment programs, and family financial planning courses are a few examples of this human development profession. These formal programs are a relatively recent phenomenon. However, family life education has existed informally throughout history—with marriage and child-rearing counsel passed from generation to generation as well by written information in ancient writings, mythology and religious scripture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work</span>

The University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work, one of the 13 schools and colleges within the University of Pittsburgh, is located in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Its offices are in the world-famous Cathedral of Learning, a forty-story, Gothic style edifice that is the signature building of the university.

Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation (ArFB) is a non-profit, grassroots organization dedicated to agricultural advocacy. ArFB represents the interests of farmers and rural communities throughout the state of Arkansas through policy development, lobbying and other programs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Country life movement</span> 20th-century American social movement

The country life movement was an early 20th century American social movement which sought to improve the living conditions of America's rural residents. The movement focused on preserving traditional rural lifestyles while addressing poor living conditions and social problems within rural communities. Despite the movement's rural focus, many of its adherents were urbanites who sought to bring progressive changes and technological improvements to rural areas. The main goal was to improve education, with the professionally-run consolidated school replacing the many family-run one-room schools. The movement had little success in changing rural ways of life; its principal successes were the promotion of agricultural extension programs and the development of national organizations to improve rural living.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joseph N. McCormack</span> American politician

Joseph Nathaniel McCormack was an American surgeon, a leader in several national medical organizations and a member of the Kentucky General Assembly. He served as executive officer of the Kentucky State Board of Health for thirty years and he led the reorganization of the American Medical Association (AMA) during its formative years of 1900 to 1911. James Burrow, historian of the AMA, has written that McCormack was "the most influential political leader of the profession in the Progressive Era, or perhaps in the AMA's entire history." McCormack served for six years as president of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials and for two years as president of the Federation of State Medical Boards. In 1907 the American Association for the Advancement of Science included him in its list of the 100 most influential leaders in the fields of medicine, public health, science and social reform.

Selskar Michael Gunn was a public health expert who was a vice-president of the Rockefeller Foundation for many years. He is known for the foundation's innovative program in China that combined improvements to agriculture, education and medicine in rural areas.

Charles Josiah Galpin was an American academic. Galpin was a trailblazer of rural sociology, known for advancing research in analysis of rural populations, rural standards of living, rural social organization, and social structures. Galpin was a rural sociologist, professor, author, pastor, and advocate for rural populations. He published 112 works in 245 publications in one language and 2,667 library holdings including The Social Anatomy of an Agricultural Community (1915); Rural Life (1918); My Drift into Rural Sociology (1938); and Rural Social Problems (1924). His early career set the stage for his influential contribution as the Head of the Division of Farm Population and Rural Life, Bureau of Agricultural Economics, United States Department of Agriculture. The reach of his contributions extend beyond rural sociology to include contributions in ecology and public health.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gertrude Vaile</span> American social worker (1878–1954)

Gertrude Vaile was an American social worker. Gertrude became the executive secretary to the committee of the National Conference of Charities and Correction in 1916, and was elected to head the National Welfare Workers in 1925 at the National Conference of Social Work.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Baby Week</span>

National Baby Week was an event first observed in the United States in March 1916, at the joint suggestion of the United States Children's Bureau and the General Federation of Women's Clubs. The purpose was to stimulate interest in the proper care of infants and by means of exhibits and conferences, to bring to the attention of parents the standards of infant welfare which had been developed by experts who had studied the subject. In order to promote the success of this work, the Bureau prepared a pamphlet entitled Baby Week Campaigns, describing the methods used in the earlier urban baby-week observances whose success had encouraged the belief that a nation-wide observance would be practicable. This pamphlet was revised to include the best original ideas and devices developed during the campaign of 1916, in which 2083 communities participated. A similar movement was carried on in 1917. The work begun in these campaigns was developed even more extensively in 1918 in connection with Children's Year activities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">First Pan Pacific Conference on Education, Rehabilitation, Reclamation and Recreation</span>

The First Pan Pacific Conference on Education, Rehabilitation, Reclamation and Recreation was held in Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii from April 11 to 16, 1927. Convened by President Calvin Coolidge, it was the first official conference held in Honolulu called by the head of a Pacific government. The conference was designed for the consideration of problems relating to Education, Rehabilitation, Reclamation and Recreation. Invited delegates hailed from all countries bordering on the Pacific Ocean. It was the first time that Hawaii held a conference of this size. Conference headquarters were at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Israel, Henry; Landis, Benson Young (1928). Handbook of Rural Social Resources. University of Chicago Press. pp. 166–68. Retrieved 8 December 2024.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  2. 1 2 "Our plan and purpose". The Country Life Bulletin. 1 (1). American Country Life Association. March 1923. Retrieved 8 December 2024.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  3. 1 2 Cattell, James McKeen; Ryan, Will Carson; Walters, Raymond (17 September 1921). "The American Country Life Association". School & Society. 14 (351). Society for the Advancement of Education: 181. Retrieved 8 December 2024.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  4. ↑ "Commission on Country Life". Liberty Hyde Bailey: A Man For All Seasons. Cornell University Library. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
  5. ↑ Sculle, Keith A.; Michael Ward (September 1983). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form: Pine Grove Community Club" (PDF). National Park Service. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-12-19. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 American Country Life Association Conference (1919). Proceedings of the Second National American Country Life Conference, Chicago, 1919. College City Press. Retrieved 8 December 2024.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  7. ↑ American Country Life Association Conference (1920). Proceedings of the Third National Conference of the American Country Life Association, Inc. Millar Publishing Company. p. 227. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
  8. ↑ United States Congress House Committee on Agriculture; United States Congress House Committee on Agriculture Subcommittee on Family Farms (1963). The Family Farm: Hearings Before the Subcommittee on Family Farms of the Committee on Agriculture, House of Representatives, Eighty-eighth Congress, First Session. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 68. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
  9. ↑ United States Congress House Committee on Agriculture (1959). Country Life Commission: Hearings Before the Subcommittee on Family Farms, on H. R. 5012, H. R. 5022, and H. R. 5517. May 6 and 7, 1959. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 18. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
  10. ↑ "Lowden will be chief speaker at Ames confab". The Courier. 24 July 1929. p. 15. Retrieved 8 December 2024– via Newspapers.com.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.