1978 April 18

INTRODUCTION

WAUKESHA COUNTY FARM BUREAU IN THE EARLY
Scope and Content Note: Hardiman joined county Farm Bureau in neighboring Washington County in 1941 but transferred to Waukesha Bureau a year later; elected to board of directors in 1942; to presidency in 1944. Urged to accept position by Harry Lurvey, Art Allen, James Taylor, and William Smith, and finally convinced by state Farm Bureau field director, T.C. Petersen. Membership in Waukesha Bureau grew from 212 in 1942 to 286 in 1944.

FARM BUREAU MEMBERSHIP DRIVE IN EARLY
Scope and Content Note: State Secretary James Green started membership drive in 1942, and Waukesha Bureau initiated its own membership drive led by Hardiman and James Taylor. Taylor a well-known and respected farmer, Waukesha Bureau board member, and chairman of town of Vernon.

WAUKESHA COUNTY FARM BUREAU MEMBERSHIP DRIVE STRATEGY
Scope and Content Note: Sought to build on previous personal acquaintances and acquire interest and support of prominent township officials as springboard to solicit farmers' support. Cites role of A.C. Oosterhuis in recruiting members from town of Oconomowoc.

WISCONSIN COOPERATIVE FARM PLANT FOODS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN INCREASING BUREAU MEMBERSHIP
Scope and Content Note: Plant Foods an affiliate organized by James Green. Recalls Green approaching Waukesha County farmers in 1944 with a proposal to raise one-half million dollars in 20 days for construction of Plant Foods fertilizer plant at Prairie du Chien. Despite farmer skepticism, Waukesha Bureau raised $182,000 in ten days. Recalls Bishop of Genesee Depot writing out $30,000 check.

ADDITIONAL INDUCEMENTS FOR FARMERS TO JOIN FARM BUREAU
Scope and Content Note: Insurance at low cost; strong representation in state legislature. Other inducements included Plant Foods Cooperative dividends for only Farm Bureau members. Used bandwagon propaganda to demonstrate advantages of community effort over individual action. Used “all the sales tools that you could come up with, some of them imaginative.”

FARMERS' ARGUMENTS AGAINST JOINING FARM BUREAU
Scope and Content Note: Many believed fertilizer prices would fall because of such private competitors as Armour, Swift, and Royster; others wanted more assurance of Bureau success; still others disagreed with Bureau's conservative philosophy, disliked some members, or were fundamentally opposed to joining any organization. Some offered no explanation, employing the “cob roller” tactic. Little difficulty soliciting members among young, progressive, innovative farmers.

SIGNIFICANCE OF RELIGION AND POLITICS AS FACTORS IN SOLICITING BUREAU MEMBERS
Scope and Content Note: Religion could play important role. Cites example of Donald Petersen of Stone Bank, a member of the Norwegian Lutheran Church, whose membership in Farm Bureau induced 18 or 19 Petersens from three unrelated families to join Farm Bureau. Political affiliation was marginally important; Bureau benefited from identification with Republican Party.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN EXTENSION AGENTS AND FARM BUREAU IN WISCONSIN
Scope and Content Note: Extension agent had office at Waukesha County Farm Bureau and was actually employed by Bureau before 1922 state law required separation of extension agents and county farm bureaus. Agents in Waukesha County, however, remained very supportive of Farm Bureau. Most farm bureaus in other Wisconsin counties not as closely linked to extension agents; had difficulty organizing and acquiring new members.

BUREAU SUCCESS IN WAUKESHA COUNTY DUE PARTLY TO LACK OF RIVAL FARMERS' ORGANIZATIONS

SUCCESS OF FARM BUREAU MEMBERSHIP DRIVE IN COMPARED TO EFFORTS IN
Scope and Content Note: Positive correlation between economic prosperity and soliciting new members. In 1944, farmers paid $5.00 membership dues, demanding accountability and benefits for the expenditure. Depression years “really gave the Farm Bureau quite a hard time”; Hardiman recalls foreclosure of all but two farms in old neighborhood.

LEADERS IN ESTABLISHING WAUKESHA COUNTY FARM BUREAU
Scope and Content Note: In early 1920's, C.J. (Charlie) Will from north of Sussex, “backbone of Farm Bureau,” preceded by George McKerrow and his son Gavin. Eighteen hundred county Bureau members in early 1920's. Leaders in 1940's included Henry Rosenow and his father; Lurvey family south of Oconomowoc; Morris Peterson from Mukwonago, a past state Farm Bureau director; Bill Zillmer from town of Lisbon; Doc Leonard and Ed Moll, both from town of Brookfield.

END OF TAPE 8, SIDE 1

INTRODUCTION

FURTHER MEASURES TO STRENGTHEN WAUKESHA COUNTY BUREAU
Scope and Content Note: Attempt to tie Waukesha County Farm Bureau more closely to county Farm Supply Company thwarted by Blodgetts from Mukwonago and Delafield who opposed restricting dividend payments to Bureau members only. Plant Foods strengthened organization as did Waukesha County Bureau agreement with Emerson Oil Company in 1946 to supply members with D-X petroleum at discount. Informational meetings organized by such people as A.C. Oosterhuis and county agents George Dehnert and J.F. Thomas. Efforts made to bring county Farm Bureau closer to county agent; e.g., Hardiman simultaneously was Waukesha County Farm Bureau president and County Agricultural Committee member. Bureau played influential role in forming Dairy Herd Improvement Program; helped to promote electronic farm recordkeeping through participation in Wisconsin Farm Management Association.

RESTRICTION OF FARM SUPPLY COMPANY DIVIDENDS TO BUREAU MEMBERS ONLY
Scope and Content Note: Much internal friction between Waukesha Bureau and farm supply boards of directors over payment of dividends to Bureau members only.

WAUKESHA COUNTY COOPERATIVE SERVICE JOINS WISCONSIN FARMCO SUPPLY CORPORATION IN
Scope and Content Note: Waukesha County Cooperative Service delayed joining Wisconsin Farm Supply (later Farmco Supply Cooperative) because manager sought to retain independence and discretion in purchasing farm supplies from variety of wholesalers; e.g., private jobbers, Milwaukee mail order houses, and Farm Supply. Hardiman realized affiliation advantages from experiences on state Farm Bureau board of directors. County cooperative finally affiliated because of financial difficulties.

WAUKESHA COUNTY FARM SUPPLY COOPERATIVE
Scope and Content Note: Hardiman's two years as director frustrated by manager and organization “living too much in the past.”

WAUKESHA COUNTY FARM BUREAU SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
Scope and Content Note: Card parties, pie socials, banquets, Sunday tours to Milwaukee museum or zoo, picnics, and dances, organized mainly by Women's Committee under direction of Mrs. Henry Howell, designed to acquaint members and to “tie the social side of the farmers' life into the organization.” Provided opportunity for farmers to discuss mutual concerns; helped to raise funds, but prices kept low to attract all members.

COUNTY FARM BUREAU ROLE IN SETTING WFB POLICY
Scope and Content Note: State annual meeting usually held in late October or early November; local preparations began in late August by sending discussion questions to township farm bureaus. County Bureau collected and considered township suggestions, prepared resolutions, and forwarded state-related resolutions to WFB resolutions committee. Intense debate accompanied most policy issues. Recalls arguments surrounding resolution over location of proposed Waukesha County fair ground.

END OF TAPE 8, SIDE 2

INTRODUCTION

WAUKESHA COUNTY FARM BUREAU AND WFB RELATIONSHIP IN THE
Scope and Content Note: Individual Waukesha County Farm Bureau member automatically became member of state Farm Bureau, consigning portion of dues to state Bureau. In affiliation agreement, the county Farm Bureau promised to respect state Bureau policies and to remit portion of member dues to the state Bureau. County Bureau open to audit by state Members' Cooperative Business Service. County and state bureaus generally cooperative when Hardiman Waukesha County Farm Bureau president, although conflict arose, especially over state-supported livestock vaccination for brucellosis and taxation of farm land adjacent to cities and suburban areas in southeastern Wisconsin.

HARDIMAN'S PHILOSOPHY AS WAUKESHA COUNTY FARM BUREAU PRESIDENT
Scope and Content Note: Initially surprised and discouraged over disorganization and poor record-keeping; took command and successfully organized the Bureau with help and cooperation of the Lurveys, Allens, Petersens, Oosterhuis, Winn Erdmann, and Johnny Jones. Hardiman maintained that the Bureau ought to be “run by the local people, but it's going to be just as good as the local people are good and willing to work.” Attributes success to hard work and determination, characteristics instilled during his University of Wisconsin student days in the 1920's and operating oil business during Depression. Strong-willed and impatient nature occasionally a source of conflict, especially during youthful years. Gives example of experience while running oil business.

CONCERNS OF WAUKESHA COUNTY FARMERS FOLLOWING WORLD WAR II
Scope and Content Note: Chiefly concerned over marketing and possible consequences of demobilization. Fear of post-war economic depression, as after World War I, rekindled interest in such preventative measures as Federal Land Bank, production credit associations, and Farmers' Home Administration. Farmers prospered during World War II and wanted protection against possibility of a fluctuating economy. Sought to develop system of farmer-run and farmer-owned business.

WAUKESHA COUNTY FARM BUREAU MEMBERSHIP IN
Scope and Content Note: Members predominantly (90-95%) rural-farm; few associate members who paid dues but could not participate in policy-making decisions or serve as delegates or hold office. Use of cooperative services not related to county Farm Bureau membership.

WOMEN MEMBERS OF WAUKESHA COUNTY FARM BUREAU
Scope and Content Note: Vocal and active annual meeting participants; had “good say in the whole, overall Farm Bureau program to a large degree.” Formed an influential part of the Bureau because of their traditionally important function in the farm business. Emphasizes vital book-keeping role his wife played on Hardiman farms. Women entitled to vote at annual meetings until controversial change allowed only one vote per family.

END OF TAPE 9, SIDE 1

INTRODUCTION

WFB YOUNG FARMERS COMMITTEE
Scope and Content Note: Young Farmers in 1940's first organized as committee of WFB board of directors to interest youth in prolonged organizational identification and to develop future leaders for county, state, and national bureaus. Hardiman and assistant, Jack Snow, helped to organize Waukesha County Young Farmers in 1940's; disagreed with county extension criticism that efforts competed with 4-H, encouraging youth to join both organizations. Young Farmers first included youth between 14 and 20; later extended to 25 years of age although practical circumstances could mean full adult status for those over 21.

YOUNG FARM WOMEN
Scope and Content Note: Cites tradition of Howell women as example of girls' and women's active participation in Farm Bureau activity.

WAUKESHA COUNTY FARM BUREAU MEMBERSHIP,
Scope and Content Note: When Hardiman elected county Farm Bureau president, 283 members; 1,316 when he resigned, a small figure given the number of Waukesha County farmers. Farmer complacency partially responsible for Farm Bureau's limited success, although constraints on president and personal, farm, and family commitments also important factors. Hardiman's successor was difficult to find because preidency financially unrewarding, time-consuming, and molded by Hardiman's domineering character.

BEST TIMES FOR ORGANIZING WAUKESHA COUNTY FARM BUREAU MEMBERS
Scope and Content Note: After fall harvest when farmers financially solvent or early spring before planting, but “never bother a farmer when he's busy.”

HARDIMAN REPRESENTS DISTRICT ONE ON STATE FARM BUREAU BOARD OF DIRECTORS BEGINNING IN
Scope and Content Note: WFB field director, T.C. Petersen, acting as unofficial representative for District One membership, approached Hardiman about running for directorship. Initially disinterested because of active membership in other local and county organizations and family and farm obligations but finally accepted after assurance that job involved few obligations. Defeated Ed Breun and remained a director 21 years. District One election acted as catalyst for Hardiman's growing immersion in Farm Bureau affairs. Hardiman interpreted Petersen's role as one of information-gathering, since Bureau policy prohibited employees from recruiting candidates or campaigning in their behalf.

HARDIMAN'S FIRST STATE FARM BUREAU MEETING IN AND FIRST YEAR AS BOARD MEMBER
Scope and Content Note: Previously acquainted with some board members like Curtis Hatch and Art Murphy. Considered it “another new experience.” Hardiman first intimidated by such powerful board members as Carl Doeringsfeld; remained unaggressive during first year of orientation and education; maintained a cooperative relationship with board members representing several factions.

END OF TAPE 9, SIDE 2

INTRODUCTION

SOURCES OF FACTIONALISM ON WFB BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN LATE
Scope and Content Note: Personality clashes especially apparent between aggressive directors from Green Lake and Shawano counties, the “gold-dust twins,” led by Ralph Peterson. Regionalism a source of conflict; Hardiman cites controversy over sparsely populated northwestern region's demands for greater financial support, although largest number of Farm Bureau members, in Districts One, Two, and Three, nearly 80% of the membership. National farm politics caused controversy in 1949 because several directors vigorously supported the Brannan Plan. Overall, Hardiman found conflict and controversy a valuable and invigorating experience.

WFB DISAGREEMENT OVER ORGANIZING NORTHWESTERN REGION
Scope and Content Note: Conflict between northern and southern members over proposed expenditures to organize farmers in northwest in 1950's, those opposed arguing impenetrability of region's well-organized Wisconsin Farmers' Union (WFU). Hardiman challenged the opposition, wanted to fight “fire with fire,” believing WFB must expand and progress in northern counties or risk decay. The northwest organizing issue precipitated disagreement between Hardiman and WFU President Kenneth Hones, but Hardiman believed conflict “paid off” in WFB acquiring small but loyal and functioning membership.

RELATIONSHIP BEWEEN WFB PRESIDENTS HATCH AND HARDIMAN AND FARM BUREAU STAFF
Scope and Content Note: Curtis Hatch, Hardiman's “patient” and “tolerant” close friend, was a frustrated Farm Bureau president unable to exercise authority over staff, which had grown from nine in 1940 to approximately 290 by mid-1950's. Staff sought autonomy, but Hardiman opposed, believing WFB risked losing members if staff not responsive to their problems. Hardiman always maintained an honest and open relationship with staff, even “strong-minded” and “bull-headed” Bill KasaKaitas. Hardiman finally advocated expanding president's public relations functions to more active role as chief executive officer, an opinion which led to conflict among members who lacked confidence in farmers' management qualifications and abilities. That opinion added to Hardiman's advocacy of Midwest Livestock Cooperative; eventually led to his downfall as president.

HARDIMAN REACHES DISTRICT ONE FARMERS
Scope and Content Note: Discussed problems with farmers often “in their kitchen over a cup of coffee.” Recalls visiting Sturgeon Bay cherry farmers and Wisconsin Rapids cranberry growers in 1940's and talking to Milwaukee County farmers about taxation of farm land; travelled 55,000-60,000 miles per year while Farm Bureau president.

HARDIMAN CONTACTS WITH OTHER AGRICULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS
Scope and Content Note: In close contact with Charles Dineen, of Milwaukee Cooperative Milk Producers, and Fruit Growers' Cooperative.

END OF TAPE 10, SIDE 1
Note: Tape 10 does not have a Side 2.