BACKGROUND OF PERCY S. HARDIMAN
Scope and Content Note: Born on June 7, 1909 in town of Lincoln, south of Sussex (Waukesha County). Half of 100-acre farm was marsh when father bought in 1908. Father Walter H. Hardiman had been foreman at Lannon quarry; purchased farm when concrete beginning to replace limestone for streets and curbing. Constructed new barn and several outbuildings about 1918. Percy Hardiman remembers swimming and fishing in nearby limestone quarry.

DISCUSSION OF WILEDEN FAMILY IN SUSSEX AREA
Scope and Content Note: Percy Hardiman a first cousin of Arthur Wileden, retired emeritus professor of rural sociology, University of Wisconsin, interviewed earlier by DET for Wisconsin Agriculturalists oral history project.

DESCRIPTION OF HOME AND BUILDINGS ON WALTER HARDIMAN FARM
Scope and Content Note: Unpainted, 30 x 40 slant-roofed barn; grout house pigpen; large corn- crib. Cream city brick house with hard coal living room stove; also a wood range. Relief station under bed froze on winter nights.

EARLY DAIRY OPERATION ON HARDIMAN FARM
Scope and Content Note: First skimmed cream by hand, later got cream separator. About 1913 shipped whole milk to Gridley Dairy Co. in Milwaukee by way of train from Sussex. Father and older brother later began to haul milk directly to Milwaukee with Model T Ford truck.

FOUNDING AND OPERATION OF GOLDEN GUERNSEY COOPERATIVE
Scope and Content Note: Walter Hardiman and Gavin McKerrow among twenty-three farmers who founded in early-1930's Golden Guernsey at Waukesha to get better price for milk. Hardimans dropped Gridleys; began to deliver to Golden Guernsey receiving plant at Wales for cooling and shipment to a Chicago dairy. Golden Guernsey later built own plant for fluid collecting and distribution.

MORE DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION ON WALTER HARDIMAN FARM
Scope and Content Note: Diversified farm with dairy cows, wheat, barley, and potatoes. Sheep and chickens “always bought the groceries.” Traded eggs for groceries in Sussex; sold potatoes in Milwaukee.

SHOPPING IN MILWAUKEE
Scope and Content Note: Bought apples, coal, yard goods and, later, clothing.

HARVESTING AND SELLING BARLEY
Scope and Content Note: Sold to miller in Menomonee Falls or Merton, or directly to breweries at Milwaukee. Cutting and shocking “always a mean job” because of barley beards.

GROWING WHEAT FOR HOME USE
Scope and Content Note: Three to five acres of wheat usually grown, milled at Menomonee Falls or Merton for home use.

TYPICAL CROP ACREAGE
Scope and Content Note: About 25-30 acres of hay; 15 acres of corn, 10 of potatoes; 15 of barley, 4 of wheat. Marshy acreage used for pasture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAINING SWAMP ABOUT
Scope and Content Note: Walter Hardiman contracted with a Mr. Roache of Janesville to dig ditch. Two neighboring farmers refused permission for ditching on their property, so town of Lincoln took on project and won court suit to get easements. Horses hitched to heavy V-shaped plow attached to cables which were wound around tree. Took all summer and forty-eight horses to dig two and one-half mile ditch.

CONTINUATION OF DESCRIPTION OF DRAINING SWAMP
Scope and Content Note: Horsemaster drove 48 horses “with nothing but a black snake whip and Gee and Haw.” Farmers repaid township for ditch dug on their property. Farmers then dug trenches and laid tile; drained swamp land became the most productive. Project improved thirty-seven acres on Walter Hardiman farm.

IMPACT OF WORLD WAR I AND POSTWAR DEPRESSION ON LAND VALUES AND FARMING
Scope and Content Note: Before World War I land cost about $90-$100 per acre; rose to $350- $400 by end of war. Wartime demand for wheat, potatoes, and cheese caused many farmers to rent additional land and increase volume of production. Farmers who bought land during war left with high mortgage payments and couldn't repay loans when prices fell. All but four of eleven farms in Hardiman's neighborhood foreclosed. Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company “got a real bad name” for recalling many loans and auctioning off farms.

INFLUENCE OF McKERROWS ON LIVESTOCK RAISING IN HARDIMAN'S NEIGHBORHOOD
Scope and Content Note: George McKerrow visited Guernsey Islands every three years and brought back Guernsey cows and a half-dozen Shropshire sheep. Led to exceptionally early introduction of pure-bred livestock in Hardiman's neighborhood. Testing of cows by itinerant tester improved volume of production.

DESCRIPTION OF DAIRY OPERATION ON WALTER HARDIMAN FARM
Scope and Content Note: Size of herd ranged from twenty-four to thirty-five cows during World War I. Decision to purchase bull important because of cost and blood line. Getting cows bred not taboo for children on Hardiman farm, although it was on neighboring farms.

ROLE OF COUNTY AGENT IN HARDIMAN'S NEIGHBORHOOD
Scope and Content Note: J. F. Thomas, Waukesha county agent, supervised calf club, a predecessor of 4-H Club. County agents visited Hardiman farm regularly, introduced such things as milk testers, new strains of oats, hybrid corn, and alfalfa, and commercial fertilizer. Hardimans one of first in neighborhood to own grain drill (a Buckeye), and fertilizer attachment on corn planter.

GROWING ALFALFA
Scope and Content Note: In early 1920's alfalfa began to replace red clover (cow hay) and timothy hay (horse hay). Describes growing and harvesting alfalfa, high in protein content; improved milk production.

EARLY TRACTORS
Scope and Content Note: About 1920 bought International 816 iron-wheeled chain driven tractor with angle lugs. Next a McCormick-Deering 120 with spade lugs in early-1920's.; in early 1930's purchased rubber-tired International Farmall.

DAIRY EQUIPMENT
Scope and Content Note: By 1923 had purchased Universal milking machine with four units. Milk house had water-cooled milk tank.

SILOS
Scope and Content Note: Two stone mortar silos, one 30 x 14 for corn silage, the other 12 x 10 for brewer's grain, a protein supplement used in winter. Most farms in area had only one silo.

MORE ON SILOS
Scope and Content Note: Stone mortar silos built about 1900 had round holes and doors about four feet apart instead of continuous opening. Built concrete tops on original bases sometime later.

BUYING FEED SUPPLIES AND SEEDS
Scope and Content Note: Farmer-owned elevator at Sussex sold feed supplies and seed, and purchased grain. Elevator later privately owned after poor management ended farmer-owned operation.

SAVING SEEDS FOR PLANTING NEXT YEAR'S CROPS
Scope and Content Note: In fall, best ears of corn hung on corn tree to dry. In spring, sample of seed from dried ears put in burlap or paper and left to germinate to determine germination percentage. Same process used for oats and wheat.

PETROLEUM ROUTE TRUCKS IN
Scope and Content Note: Route trucks delivered kerosene to farms for home and barn lanterns. Gasoline lanterns also used before electrification.

IMPROVEMENTS IN ENERGY SOURCES ON THE FARM
Scope and Content Note: In 1925 after much negotiation, Wisconsin Electric Power Company installed power lines when guaranteed $4.80 a month per customer for seven years. Before electrification, Hardimans had gasoline engine to run vacuum pump for milking machine. Windmill supplemented gasoline power source.

PERCY HARDIMAN'S FARM CHORES DURING HIGH SCHOOL YEARS
Scope and Content Note: Fed western lambs and pigs, pumped water by hand. In early-1920's before leaving for high school hauled pea vines from nearby canning factory.

MORE ON FARM AND HOME IMPROVEMENTS
Scope and Content Note: Got running water in barn and home about 1928-1929. Installed bathroom about 1929. Installed coal-fired furnace for central heating about 1918-1919.

FEEDING OUT WESTERN LAMBS
Scope and Content Note: Walter Hardiman had “three boys at home that he wanted to keep busy” so he purchased and fed out 500 lambs. Fattened them from 52 pounds to 88 and sold in spring for over 18 cents per pound. Shipped them by train to Chicago.

GROWING AND CANNING PEAS IN THE
Scope and Content Note: Kramer brothers built Mammoth Springs Canning Company at Sussex. Walter Hardiman bought stock; rented 160 acres to grow and harvest peas, sold vines or used them for feed. Quit raising peas early-1930's because of serious drought and inability to get crop failure protection. Peas only processed at Sussex cannery until World War II; then carrots and beets also.

FARM FAMILIES SUPPLEMENT INCOME BY WORKING IN CANNERIES
Scope and Content Note: Many farm women worked in canneries picking thistles and labeling cans, later cutting and packing beets. Often farm boys or farmers with sons old enough to manage farm worked in canneries. Estimates 85 percent of cannery labor made up of farm people. No Jamaican labor until after World War II.

EARLY EDUCATION OF PERCY HARDIMAN
Scope and Content Note: Attended four-room, state-graded school at Sussex. By early 1920's grades one through ten were taught there.

DRIVING TO HIGH SCHOOL AT WAUKESHA
Scope and Content Note: Most children in Hardiman's neighborhood attended high school. Eight students paid Percy Hardiman fifty cents each for each ride to Waukesha, ten miles, over a bumpy, graveled road in 1922 Buick with “California top.”

BUS TRANSPORTATION TO HIGH SCHOOL
Scope and Content Note: Friend of Percy Hardiman's from North Prairie drove twenty-two students to Waukesha in Model-T bus.

PERCY HARDIMAN ATTENDS UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN AT MADISON
Scope and Content Note: Parents influenced him in attending UW; graduated in 1932. Aspired to teach high school agriculture but began working at Sussex cannery for 22 and 1/2 cents per hour because few other jobs available.

BEGINS TO DELIVER PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
Scope and Content Note: Bought tank for truck in 1932 and began delivering gasoline and oil.

BUYS FIRST FARM IN
Scope and Content Note: Bought first farm in 1940, then another in 1944.

HARDIMAN OIL COMPANY
Scope and Content Note: Begun as Cozden Oil Company. Hardiman with father bought fuel business and renamed Hardiman Oil Company. Partnership dissolved in 1940 and Percy Hardiman bought farm.

ORGANIZATION MEMBERSHIP OF WALTER HARDIMAN
Scope and Content Note: Founding member of Golden Guernsey Cooperative; belonged to cow testing association; director of cannery at Sussex and of farmer- owned elevator; Sussex town clerk for 23 years; member of Sussex school board for 20 years. Politically a conservative Republican, active in local politics.

BEGINNING OF FARM BUREAU MOVEMENT IN WAUKESHA COUNTY
Scope and Content Note: Farm Bureau got started in Waukesha about 1921; about 2,600 members by end of first year. Supply center established at Waukesha but advantages not shared equally among farmer-patrons. By 1940, Waukesha County Farm Bureau membership down to 150; supply center financially troubled. Began to recover in early-1940's after Percy Hardiman and others signed bank notes to support.

WALTER HARDIMAN PIONEER MEMBER OF WAUKESHA COUNTY FARM BUREAU
Scope and Content Note: Walter Hardiman a member of Waukesha County Farm Bureau from its beginning, although always critical of farm supply operation.

ADVANTAGES OF FARM BUREAU MEMBERSHIP
Scope and Content Note: Philosophically a “more-or-less” conservative organization; closely allied with county extension services; more aware of farmers' problems than commodity cooperatives.

CLOSE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EQUITY COOPERATIVE LIVESTOCK SALES ASSOCIATION AND FARM BUREAU LOCAL SHIPPING ASSOCIATIONS
Scope and Content Note: Four existing Equity shipping associations began as Farm Bureau shipping organizations.

CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN TRADITION IN HARDIMAN FAMILY
Scope and Content Note: Walter Hardiman a “staunch conservative Republican”; Percy Hardiman characterizes himself as being “pretty conservative.”

FARM BUREAU ORGANIZERS
Scope and Content Note: Emphasized that farmers must cooperate. Walter Hardiman felt that general organizations should be affiliated with cooperatives in the state. Cooperatives working together on a federated basis with the Farm Bureau would have resulted in a stronger organized agriculture in Wisconsin.

RECOLLECTION OF HENRY AHLGREN'S OBSERVATION ABOUT ORGANIZED AGRICULTURE IN WISCONSIN
Scope and Content Note: Recalls that Ahlgren, an old fraternity brother, used to say, “Wisconsin is the most over-organized cooperative agriculture in the United States.” Believes his father, Walter Hardiman, had same idea--vehicle needed to tie together at least loosely the many cooperatives in the state.

FOUNDING OF WISCONSIN COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURE,
Scope and Content Note: Milo Swanton and Gavin McKerrow frequently visited Walter Hardiman farm to discuss need for farmers lobbying group in Wisconsin.

WISCONSIN FARMERS UNION SEVERS TIE WITH WISCONSIN COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURE,
Scope and Content Note: Wisconsin Farmers Union left Council in anger and later, with others, formed Wisconsin Association of Cooperatives. Remembers father returning from Council annual meeting in 1933, angry with Kenneth Hones, who had “ranted and raved.”

COMMENTS ON AARON SAPIRO
Scope and Content Note: Very forceful and effective speaker who “had some friends, and an awful lot of enemies.” Hardiman felt in 1920's that Sapiro a bit “on the rabble-rousing side.”^[1]

WISCONSIN COOPERATIVE MILK POOL MILK STRIKES IN EARLY
Scope and Content Note: Hardiman feels National Milk Pool good approach, but faulty methods used to implement it. Remembers armed National Guardsmen accompanying milk trucks in Waukesha County, especially in Durham Hill area and streets of Sussex. Strikes violent, guardsmen controlled with tear gas, bludgeoned strikers. Strikes divided families and neighbors; often never reconciled.

HARDIMAN'S FEELING ON METHODS
Scope and Content Note: Strongly opposed to coercion. Necessity for peaceful approach through education, talking out problems. Cites recent state tax reduction revision legislation, from which all farmers benefited.

RECOLLECTION OF STATEMENT BY HENRY AHLGREN, UW EXTENSION
Scope and Content Note: Remembers Wisconsin overorganized with more than 2,700 cooperatives.

MEMBERSHIP IN GOLDEN GUERNSEY COOPERATIVE HELPS LESSEN EFFECTS OF LOW MILK PRICES DURING EARLY
Scope and Content Note: Hardiman's father as member of GGC continued to receive “thirteenth check” during period of low milk prices. Most members satisfied with milk checks; not interested in withholding milk. GGC began to hold Christmas party to distribute money to members to provide Christmas presents for children.

COMMENTS ON A. H. CHRISTMAN, MENOMONEE FALLS
Scope and Content Note: Board member of Milwaukee Milk Producers. A “little on the radical side,” his frustration as a loner contributed to his leaving the Milwaukee Milk Producers and joining the Milk Pool.

RECALLS CHRISTMAN VISIT TO HARDIMAN FARM
Scope and Content Note: Tried to persuade Walter Hardiman to join Milk Pool.

COMMENT ON WALTER SINGLER, PRESIDENT OF WISCONSIN COOPERATIVE MILK POOL
Scope and Content Note: Remembers Singler speech at raucous meeting near Menomonee Falls. “Lot of screaming and hollering.” Milk Pool ideas similar to those of National Farmers Organization (NFO) meat withholding actions in later years.

MORE ON MILK STRIKES
Scope and Content Note: Percy Hardiman drove milk trucks for Golden Guernsey during Milk Pool strikes. Recalls accompanied to Milwaukee County line by sheriff and National Guard in convoy. “Kind of left-wing group” behind strike, not unlike that in NFO meat withholding action years later. Hardiman denied right of Milk Pool to dictate to non-members and disrupt commerce.

LEVEL OF PARTICIPATION IN STRIKE IN HARDIMAN'S NEIGHBORHOOD
Scope and Content Note: Estimates 35-45 percent withheld milk 3-4 days. During first strike some farmers who had sold their milk tried to prevent others from doing so. Farmers stopped by telephone poles laid across roads and kerosene poured in milk cans. Strikers included unemployed Milwaukee union people, particularly Teamsters. Rumored Singler allied with Teamsters, and labor money behind Milk Pool strike.

CHARACTERISTICS OF MILK POOL MEMBERSHIP IN HARDIMAN'S NEIGHBORHOOD
Scope and Content Note: Generally, Milk Pool drew more cordial response from smaller, hard pressed farmers.

CHARACTERISTICS OF MILK POOL MEMBERSHIP IN HARDIMAN'S NEIGHBORHOOD, CONTINUED
Scope and Content Note: Anti-Singler farmers were the “better, probably the most prosperous farmers.” Astute farmers, generally closer to and accepting of county extension agents and new techniques, were against Milk Pool. Those farmers who rejected improvements and didn't “run a good operation” inclined to support the Milk Pool.

FORECLOSURE ACTIONS DURING THE DEPRESSION YEARS
Scope and Content Note: Recalls no penny auctions in neighborhood. About 50 percent of farmers in his neighborhood were foreclosed. Some were helped by various federal farm programs. Hardiman served on Farmers Home Administration (FHA) loan board for six years; helped to judge loan applications for Waukesha, Walworth, and Racine counties.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GOLDEN GUERNSEY COOPERATIVE AND MILWAUKEE MILK PRODUCERS
Scope and Content Note: Although organizational structures differed, generally cordial relations over the years, except for early 1940's when Ed Rush, MMP executive secretary, attempted to enlist every farmer shipping milk to Milwaukee. Rush claimed farmers couldn't owe allegiance to two cooperatives simultaneously, but Golden Guernsey members adamantly refused to join MMP. Hardiman recalls no conflict when Charles Dineen was executive secretary of MMP, and feels questionable methods were used to oust Dineen and elect Rush. Hardiman feels there is no competition between Golden Guernsey and MMP at present, which may be due to falling membership despite steady volume.

SUPPORT FOR MILK POOL BY THOSE ACTIVE IN EQUITY AND FB IN
Scope and Content Note: Roots of radicalism in FB and other farm organizations founded in Sapiroism. Elements of radicalism in any farmers organization.

SHEEP-RAISING ON HARDIMAN FARM
Scope and Content Note: Hardimans not members of Wool Growers Cooperative since they raised few sheep and had wool made into blankets at Grafton woolen mill.

PMR COOPERATIVE
Scope and Content Note: Hardiman member of PMR, hog-improvement program set up by FB in Belmont, Wisconsin. Believes now defunct, but originally very useful.

PARTICIPATION IN BASEBALL,
Scope and Content Note: Hardiman played baseball in elementary school in Sussex. While in high school in Waukesha, Hardiman asked by Martin Weber, organizer of Land o' Lakes baseball and basketball leagues, to pitch for Land o' Lakes. Land O'Lakes expanded to Land O'Rivers and Land O'Brooks for younger players. Important Sunday recreation for boys in surrounding villages, games attended by 100-200 people. Hardiman helped organize Land O'Brooks and managed team at East Troy. Local businessmen bought uniforms and at games they “passed the hat” to pay for equipment. Hardiman did not make University team; high-caliber league ballplayers there, some of whom turned professional.

TEAM RIVALRIES
Scope and Content Note: Sussex and Moriches games sometimes erupted into brawls.

NORTH LAKE TEAM
Scope and Content Note: Joe Stapleton managed North Lake team composed of his nine sons.

PLAYOFFS
Scope and Content Note: Originally playoffs between four regions; later expanded to playoffs between counties. No state championship at the time.

DRINKING AT GAMES
Scope and Content Note: During Prohibition little drinking at games. Occasional wine or “near beer.” Women's Christian Temperance Union strong in area.

HARDIMAN AS PITCHER
Scope and Content Note: Hardiman had good “slider” which so baffled batters that Menomonee Falls refused to play Waukesha if Hardiman pitched. Hardiman also threw overhand drop and change-up. Never desired to turn professional.

RECALLS OLD MILWAUKEE BREWERS AND CHICAGO CUBS
Scope and Content Note: Saw Brewers at Borchert field and Cubs in Chicago. Gabby Harnett was favorite catcher.

HARDIMAN'S REASONS FOR PLAYING BASEBALL
Scope and Content Note: Pitched out of “intense desire to be in the thick of the activity” between pitcher and catcher. Baseball “kept us out of trouble.” Enjoyed camaraderie. Basic training in competition and good sportsmanship useful in later life.

NEIGHBORHOOD SOCIAL LIFE IN THE and
Scope and Content Note: St. Albans Church and Masonic Temple local centers of activity, held semi-monthly dances. Fire Department picnics. Social functions of church more important in Hardiman's youth than now. Frequent informal visiting.

COOPERATIVE WORK IN HARDIMAN'S NEIGHBORHOOD
Scope and Content Note: Neighbors worked together at threshing rings and butchering bees. Elaborates on neighborhood butchering of cattle and hogs. Women contributed to “big meal”; very pleasant and social atmosphere. Neighbors did chores for sick neighbors, women provided bread for incapacitated farmwomen. Today's “separatism” has resulted in little concern for neighbors.

NEIGHBORHOOD ROADS
Scope and Content Note: In 1920's, narrow, graded roads. Farmers paid road tax by helping to maintain roads. Gravel spread when townships began to maintain highways. Today township highway department maintains blacktopped roads. Nearby State Highway 16 known in 1920's as Watertown Plank Road. Recalls roads not plowed in winter, sleighs driven on top of snow. Road improvement began after World War I, accelerated in late 1920's. Always competition in his neighborhood between farmers and non-farmers for road improvements. Recalls case in point: North Lake shoreline residents and township farmers.

POLITICS IN HARDIMAN'S NEIGHBORHOOD
Scope and Content Note: Stalwart Republicans, but also solid factions of progressives who supported “Old Bob” La Follette. When La Follette became a “social planner” many became Stalwarts and strongly supported such gubernatorial candidates as Emanuel Philipp and Walter Kohler, Sr. Phil and Bob La Follette, Jr. not supported as strongly as “Old Bob.”

BRONSON LA FOLLETTE SEEKS ENDORSEMENT OF WISCONSIN FARM BUREAU
Scope and Content Note: Support refused; Farm Bureau educates membership, does not endorse candidates.

DEMPSEY FAMILY IN WAUKESHA COUNTY ILLUSTRATES CHANGING POLITICS IN A FAMILY
Scope and Content Note: Dempseys devout Democrats in Stalwart area. Chester Dempsey ran unsuccessfully several times for county office on Democratic ticket, Finally elected to State Senate after he became a Republican.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ETHNICITY AND POLITICS IN HARDIMAN'S NEIGHBORHOOD
Scope and Content Note: Much discussion when Catholic Al Smith ran for President in 1928, and when John Kennedy ran in 1960. Milwaukee Germans, traditionally Democrats, united around Bob La Follette at time of World War I, influenced voters in Hardiman's neighborhood. Recalls that many Episcopalians supported Old Bob. Ethnicity not as important in politics now.

NEIGHBORHOOD GATHERINGS
Scope and Content Note: Neighbors met at feed mill, general store, picnics, and at church. People discussed topical issues. Men and women both participated actively in discussions. Much attention given to issue of women's suffrage, particularly in women's groups.

BACKGROUND OF STRIKE AT GOLDEN GUERNSEY COOPERATIVE
Scope and Content Note: Teamster employees struck Golden Guernsey demanding closed shop. Gavin McKerrow, Walter Hardiman, and others decided “No, we're not gonna knuckle under to a closed shop. . . .” Teamsters set up picket line; farmers helped deliver milk to customers after chores done. Majority of picketers from outside state; no evidence of communist involvement. Hardiman furnished gasoline when Teamsters cut off fuel supply for cooperative vehicles. Strike was militant, often violent trucks pushed over, burned, and “everything else.” Farmers thought closed shop violated constitutional rights. Before strike Golden Guernsey had employee profit- sharing system; after strike broken, profit-sharing plan retained and company union formed.

COMMENTS ON INDUSTRIAL WORKERS OF THE WORLD (IWW)
Scope and Content Note: IWW called by Hardiman “I won't work.” Remembers several farmers in his neighborhood who supported IWW as being outcasts and disinterested in progressive farming practices.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE WISCONSIN COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURE AND WISCONSIN MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION IN SUPPORTING WISCONSIN EMPLOYMENT PEACE ACT
Scope and Content Note: Some substance to assertion that Council of Agriculture and Manufacturers Association collaborated. Remembers many discussions between his father and Milo Swanton, Council executive secretary. Council felt justified in wanting to help defend industry by curbing labor's power. Believed labor trampling individual rights; feared potentially “vicious mood” of labor would result in industry shutdown and loss of jobs.

COMMENTS ON GOVERNOR JULIUS HEIL
Scope and Content Note: Born and raised near Big Bend in Waukesha County; a “great industrialist.” Great talker, had a lot of good ideas, was a “pretty good” governor. Believes Heil's jocular nature a facade; laughed nervously to “cover up some of his ineptness in some areas.” Remembers Heil campaigning against “La Follette's roller coasters.” Heil's election marked shift in Hardiman's community from support for Phil La Follette's Progressive Republicans to support for the stalwarts. Feared La Follette's programs would result in major tax increase. Compares situation then to today; necessity for halting “give-away programs of governments at all levels.”

PHIL LA FOLLETTE BEGINS NATIONAL CAMPAIGN,
Scope and Content Note: Farmers support for La Follette declined after he began National Progressive Party ticket. Many thought La Follette foolish since National Progressive Party confined essentially to Wisconsin; would be expensive to finance.

BEGINS TO FARM
Scope and Content Note: 396-acre G. B. Van Norman farm for sale for $29,500, but couldn't raise enough money. Decided to buy farm in town of Merton near Waukesha-Washington County line in March, 1940. Paid $5,000 down on the deal in May, 1040, on $23,000 farm and financed the balance with previous owner.

FARM HOME
Scope and Content Note: Original portion of farm home built in 1848; another portion in 1923.

BEGINS TO FARM
Scope and Content Note: Farm improvements took precedence over house. Had to sell 90 dozen eggs to purchase new mower guards to cut hay. Bought drill from canning plant for $20.00 to replace broadcast seeder for planting oats--first in neighborhood to do so. Built up herd from 12 milk cows; improved and expanded barns to hold 44 stanchions. Ultimately increased herd from original 12 milk cows to 126.

PURCHASES SECOND FARM
Scope and Content Note: Spring of 1944, bought Naylor farm for $10,000. House on second farm used for hired man and family.

DEATH OF OLDEST DAUGHTER
Scope and Content Note: Daughter's illness and death because of purpura cost Hardiman $35,000; had no insurance. Probably caused by sulfanilamide, prescribed for pneumonia in March, 1944. Hardiman sold 2-3 cows at a time to appease creditors.

IMPACT OF WORLD WAR II ON FARMING
Scope and Content Note: Milk prices went from $1.72 a hundred in 1940 to $5.25 a hundred in 1945; government also paid subsidy to dairy industry as post-war obligations; “put us in the driver's seat.” Milk checks rose to $3,500-$4,000 per month.

WAUKESHA COUNTY FARM MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION
Scope and Content Note: Belonged to Association managed by Willis Freitag.

HERD IMPROVEMENT
Scope and Content Note: Bought a good Holstein bull from Canada for $900. Improved production through dairy herd improvement from 5,600 pounds of milk and 387 pounds of fat per cow to 16,000 pounds of milk and 486 pounds of fat in 1970. Raised own replacement cattle to improve herd through artificial insemination to prevent disease. Developed good herd, but in later years didn't have money to continue, and had to disperse herd in 1970.

ANECDOTE ABOUT TENNESSEE HOLSTEIN BUYER
Scope and Content Note: Long-time buyer returned in summer, 1976, to inquire about purchasing cattle from Hardiman, not realizing herd dispersed in 1970.

END TAPE 5, SIDE 2
Note: There is no Tape 6.

GROWTH OF FARM BUREAU IN WISCONSIN AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES TO FARMERS
Scope and Content Note: Services built from old farm supply cooperative; plant foods begun in 1944. To get “thirteenth” check member required to join FB, and preferred stock induced others to purchase fertilizer. In Waukesha County, between 1930's and mid-1950's, membership climbed from 268 to 1215. State membership rose to 31,000. Mutual insurance sales also contributed to growing membership.

COOPERATIVE PETROLEUM BUYING IN
Scope and Content Note: Early plans to import gasoline at Prairie du Chien never materialized because some local county Farm Bureaus already had contracts with local jobbers. Later, FB set up Wisconsin Farm Supply (FS) to negotiate petroleum purchasing contracts from private companies. Today, all petroleum purchased through FS.

EARLY INDEPENDENT FARMERS COOPERATIVES IN WAUKESHA COUNTY
Scope and Content Note: Once many independent fertilizer and cooperative grain-purchasing elevators. Statewide, FB expanded distribution only where Midland didn't exist, or where there were few Farmers Union cooperatives.

OFFICERS OF PLANT FOODS COOPERATIVE AND COUNTY FARM BUREAU
Scope and Content Note: Officers the same.

CONTROVERSY WITHIN FARM BUREAU
Scope and Content Note: Membership has never unanimously approved any FB policy, but controversy helped make FB a strong organization.

HARDIMAN'S FARM EXPANSION
Scope and Content Note: Over the years, rented additional land for cropping and pasturing until late 1960's. Sold Naylor farm in 1973; now owns home farm of 200 acres, only 20 acres more than in 1940.

FARM LABOR
Scope and Content Note: Several former hired men now own farms in neighborhood. Paid high wages, but hard to hire competent farm labor during World War II. Unsuccessful in getting farm labor in 1960's, a factor leading to liquidation of herd and bulk of farm in 1970's as daughters married non-farmers.

DRAWBACKS OF DAIRY FARMING
Scope and Content Note: 365-day commitment has discouraged young dairy farmers. Hardiman sympathetic; realizes now dedication to success kept him and his wife from taking “time to enjoy ourselves the way we should have.” Wife now ill and Hardiman has heart condition; could have enjoyed life more and still had farm.

IMPORTANCE OF CORPORATE FARMS TO SURVIVAL OF FAMILY FARMING
Scope and Content Note: Recent trend to farm corporations, composed of family members, allows farmers weekends off and occasional week-long vacations. Farm corporation “is the salvation of free agriculture.” Hardiman helped set up many farm corporations while in FB. Corporate structure eliminates death taxes; joint ownership prevents dissolution of farm.

LAND TAXATION AND VALUATION
Scope and Content Note: In 1940 purchased 180 acre farm for $23,000, paid $183 in taxes. Today farm valued at $250,000; taxed at $3,686. Land value began to skyrocket about 1969-70 due to “exodus” from Milwaukee metropolitan area. “For years we saw the farm people going to the city; now we're seeing the city people coming back to the country.” Today Hardiman's property zoned; building in town of Merton is restricted but Hardiman fears increased construction in neighborhood will lead to “slummy” conditions.

RECOLLECTION OF FIRST STATE FAIR HARDIMAN ATTENDED,
Scope and Content Note: Recalls driving to state fair in surrey. Saw horse races, twelve foot tall Uncle Sam. Unsanitary concession stands, but clean sandwiches available at dairy building.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

CONFLICT BETWEEN MANAGEMENT AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS NOT UNIQUE TO FARM BUREAU
Scope and Content Note: Hardiman, based on experience with various cooperatives and school boards, aware that management often inaccessible and unresponsive to membership or to district taxpayers. Wisconsin Farm Service Board, composed of president, vice-president, another Farm Bureau director, and legal advisor, created within WFB to meet members' needs by performing both management and policy-making functions. Hardiman recalls early management conflict in Golden Guernsey Dairy Cooperative which resulted in Gavin McKerrow's appointment as both president and general manager to meet management and member needs alike.

FUNCTIONS AND QUALIFICATIONS OF COOPERATIVE PRESIDENTS
Scope and Content Note: Many cooperatives have considered farmer presidents merely “a necessary evil or a necessary PR man” with no executive authority, distrusting their ability to run a business. Hardiman disagrees, citing examples of Consolidated Badger and Tri-State Breeders cooperatives; maintains a successful farmer must be a good businessman and is capable of understanding complexities of business management and making top-level policy decisions.

WISCONSIN FARM SERVICE BOARD CREATED IN
Scope and Content Note: Organized as reaction to limitations placed on WFB president Curtis Hatch after director Carl Doeringsfeld earlier refused titular presidential position.

RURAL MUTUAL CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY CREATED IN
Scope and Content Note: Successor to Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company, created in 1934; WFB discouraged its name being linked to financially vulnerable commercial insurance company.

PERSISTENT WFBF INTERNAL PROBLEMS WHILE HARDIMAN A DIRECTOR
Scope and Content Note: Problems generated by an organization offering such economic services as insurance, petroleum, farm supplies, and plant foods. Jealousy prevalent among management of various services and WFBF managers. Hostility often erupted at board meetings.

WFBF REPLACES JIMMY GREEN AS EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
Scope and Content Note: WFBF board member Ivan Kindschi directly responsible for relocating Green; other directors agreed Green unable to communicate with Farm Bureau members and county Farm Bureau presidents. Hardiman disagreed.

MORE ON WFBF INTERNAL CONFLICTS
Scope and Content Note: Various Farm Bureau services, in addition to competing for board time, competed for funding. Fierce conflict in 1940's necessitated orderly rotation of board meeting agenda. Situation typical of many Wisconsin cooperatives, disrupting service and inhibiting growth.

WFBF RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER STATE FARMERS' ORGANIZATIONS
Scope and Content Note: Dissent between WFBF and dairy and other cooperatives and Wisconsin Council of Agriculture (WCA), later Wisconsin Association of Cooperatives (WAC), over who should speak for Wisconsin farmers. Opposing viewpoints taken on issues within WCA while Hardiman and Hatch served on WCA's board of directors. WFBF and WCA cooperated well while Hardiman WFBF president primarily because of close working relationship between Hardiman and Milo Swanton. Kenneth Hones an important spokesman for WAC; conflict arose between Hones and Hardiman and Hatch.

ORIGIN OF WAC
Scope and Content Note: Created in 1944 in response to pressure from National Tax Equality Association. WAC organized by Hones from WFU members and other sympathizers from within WCA. Recalls how Hones earlier led WFU out of WCA. WFBF, caught in dilemma, finally sided with WCA.

WFBF's PRO-BUSINESS ATTITUDE
Scope and Content Note: WFBF not as strongly anti-business as WFU, viewing agriculture as a business and farming as a “family business.” Hardiman saw advantages and necessity of big, often NTEA-affiliated, utilities serving farmers. WFBF joined Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce in early 1950's.

WFBF MEMBERSHIP TRENDS, CONTINUED
Scope and Content Note: Membership grew from approximately 1,700 in 1940 to over 33,000 in 1953 due partially to WFBF personnel changes. Jimmy Green became executive secretary and hired T.G. Petersen as field services manager; Petersen in turn employed seven district field men to help organize counties. Increased Farm Bureau services also helped to attract new members. A well-established and prosperous Rural Mutual Insurance Company provided substantial dividends to Farm Bureau members. Another important service came from 1944 organization of Wisconsin Farm Plant Foods to manufacture high concentrate fertilizer not produced by private industry. Farmers received substantial Plant Food dividends. Bill KasaKaitas' success with Wisconsin legislature also induced many to join Farm Bureau.

WFBF “OPERATION NORTHWEST” ORGANIZATION DRIVE IN EARLY
Scope and Content Note: WFBF directors in 1953 decided to conduct membership drive in strong WFU region of northwestern Wisconsin, believing WFB a misnomer if Bureau continued to concentrate activities mainly in southern third of the state. Proponents of “Operation Northwest” felt southern counties had reached limits of growth; opposition argued the Farm Bureau spent $19.80 to secure one member in northwest compared to $3.00-$4.00 in southern Wisconsin. WFBF set aside 40 cents-50 cents of each member's dues to establish Special Membership Reserve Fund for organizing in northwest Wisconsin. “Operation Northwest” “quite successful” after concentrated efforts, both by organizers and directors, although “the hard battle may still not be won in the northwest.”

FARM BUREAU METHODS OF SECURING MEMBERSHIP DURING “OPERATION NORTHWEST”
Scope and Content Note: Field men took general survey in region to determine strength of Farmers' Union, farmers' philosophies and needs, and to contact town leaders. Survey revealed foundation existed to build Bureau membership since few farmers affiliated with any farmers' organizations, and many would have “liked to cut Ken Hones' throat.”

WFBF STAFF HIRED IN FROM OUT-OF-STATE
Scope and Content Note: Hardiman opposed to recruiting outside Wisconsin while competent people available within WFBF; believed out-of-state top management appointments signified structural flaws in organization and a wasted investment of trained in-house personnel in lower-level positions.

REASONS FOR DECLINE IN WFBF MEMBERSHIP IN
Scope and Content Note: Main factor was communication gap between county Farm Bureau leadership and WFBF management. Other reasons included membership dues increase and a distorted issue of Badger Farm Bureau News published by Oswald Anderson, which indicated WFBF endorsed Brannan Plan.

STATE FARM BUREAU BUILDS NEW HEADQUARTERS IN MADISON
Scope and Content Note: Outgrew headquarters building on Thornton Avenue between Williamson Street and East Washington Avenue; dropped plans to add a second story to existing structure. New building sites included Middleton, location of present State Department of Agriculture building, and 27-acre area on Beltline Highway. WFBF briefly considered annexing its warehouse to new office building, then, after much discussion, budget analysis, and agreement with Madison bus company to extend bus service, decided to purchase 7 1/2 acres at South Park Street and Badger Road. Building constructed for approximately $288,000 with funds from each WFBF affiliate.

WFBF QUICKLY OUTGROWS PARK STREET HEADQUARTERS
Scope and Content Note: One-story addition to Park Street building possible but lack of auto parking space made purchase of 80 acres at Gammon and Mineral Point Roads a more feasible solution. Rural Mutual Insurance Company, whose rapid growth made construction necessary, became sole owner of newest building although Hardiman favored continuation of the building corporation arrangement which allowed each Farm Bureau affiliate to invest in proportion to amount of space required.

WFBF NEWS EDITORIALS
Scope and Content Note: Editor Oswald Anderson wrote most of President Curtis Hatch's editorials, which William KasaKaitas often rewrote before publication.

COMMENTS ON WFBF COMMODITY ADVISORY COMMITTEES
Scope and Content Note: Established to provide directors deeper insight into problems of specific commodity areas such as dairy, grain, swine, beef, and orchard products, and to expose internal conflicts often buried in annual commodity resolutions. Committee effectiveness hindered because too often reports merely reflected individual pet peeves or biases; often ignored by directors or failed to influence organization's resolutions.

FARM BUREAU WOMEN'S COMMITTEE GAINS BOARD REPRESENTATION IN
Scope and Content Note: Women's Committee members at all levels united in successful bid for voting membership on state Bureau boards of directors. Hardiman's strong opposition to woman on WFBF board based on principle of independence from American Farm Bureau Federation which strongly recommended directors chairs for women; because it was “absolutely wrong as far as organizational structure” to allow a committee created by the directors a vote on the board and the precedent it would set for the Young People's Committee also to gain a vote.^[2]

YOUNG PEOPLE'S COMMITTEE GAINS BOARD REPRESENTATION IN
Scope and Content Note: Committee had many influential “true adult” members whose arguments for board representation were greatly strengthened by precedent set by Women's Committee. Future leadership role in WFBF also a strong argument in behalf of Young People's Committee. Recalls skill with which Donald Paulson argued case of Young People's Committee.^[3]

DECLINING MEMBERSHIP CONTRIBUTES TO BOARD REORGANIZATION
Scope and Content Note: Arguments of both women and young people strengthened by need to offset declining membership.

COMMENTS ON FORMATION OF WISCONSIN FARMCO SERVICE COOPERATIVE
Scope and Content Note: Continuing management conflicts between Wisconsin Cooperative Farm Supply Co. and the Wisconsin Farm Plant Foods, which used the same distribution points, eventually resulted in Wisconsin Farm Service Board, Inc. creating the Wisconsin Farmco Service Cooperative.

WISCONSIN FARMCO LOSSES REFLECT NATIONAL ECONOMIC CONDITIONS IN
Scope and Content Note: National agricultural surpluses contributed to Farmco's loss of $750,000 in 1957, after previous profitable years; many Wisconsin farmers reacted to depressed farm prices by purchasing less fertilizer.

COMMENTS ON RAY PAVLAK'S RESIGNATION AS FARMCO GENERAL MANAGER IN
Scope and Content Note: Scattered weight shortages before Farm Plant Foods purchased an automatic fertilizer weighing machine first “created some real serious doubts in our minds as to what was going on.” Pavlak further alienated WFBF directors after falsely telling Farm Service Board, ten days prior to end of 1957 fiscal year, that Farmco would turn a half-million dollar profit. Board allowed Pavlak to resign out of consideration for his many years of effective management.

CENTRAL FARMERS MAKES POOR INVESTMENT IN OUT-OF-STATE MINES
Scope and Content Note: Farm Bureau a member of Central Farmers Cooperative, which made $20 million investment in Idaho elemental phosphorus plant in mid-1950's, later sold to Gulf and Western at a 50% loss. FS Services, Inc. by 1970's a large owner in potash in New Mexico and Canada, and phosphate in Canada.

MERGER TALKS BETWEEN FARMCO AND MIDLAND COOPERATIVE WHOLESALE ORIGINATE WITH FARMCO'S FINANCIAL PROBLEMS IN
Scope and Content Note: Competition made Farmco a marginal business for five years before its huge loss in 1957 generated support for a merger with Midland, whose services coincided with Farmco's and which had strength in areas of Wisconsin where Farmco was weak. George Niebur and Curtis Hatch represented Farm Bureau at most talks held in Minneapolis. Merger stymied by Midland's refusal to continue Bureau's “differential” payment of dividends to Bureau members only, together with Farm Bureau's uneasiness over Midland's less “conservative” philosophy.

CURTIS HATCH DECLINES PRESIDENCY IN
Scope and Content Note: Hardiman steadfastly refused to campaign actively for the presidency as opponent Arnold Brovold did during 1958 annual meeting. Hardiman, who Hatch believed was his “logical successor,” was elected president at La Crosse convention.

FARM BUREAU DIRECTORS MEET WITH WISCONSIN LABOR LEADERS IN
Scope and Content Note: Wanted to make organized labor aware of farmer economic problems created by labor's support of national cheap food policy in midst of huge surpluses. Hardiman considers Brannan Plan and later similar programs politically motivated; outgrowth of realization that “there are more consumer voters than there are producer voters.” Recalls Hatch took Wisconsin Federation of Labor president^[4] on farm tour to impress on him farmers' production costs.

FURTHER COMMENTS ON THE ECONOMIC EDUCATION COUNCIL
Scope and Content Note: Milo Swanton, executive secretary of the Wisconsin Council of Agricultural Cooperatives (formerly Wisconsin Council of Agriculture), encouraged Hardiman to organize meetings with representatives of industry, labor, consumer and education groups, farmers' organizations such as WFU, the Wisconsin State Grange, WAC, WCAC, and between 40-50 key farmers to “tell industry and labor a little more of our story.” Recalls loud debate between young farm leader from La Crosse County and John Schmitt, president of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO, during first meeting. For three or four years, Hardiman's assistant organized the annual meetings which later were continued at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with financial support from participating organizations.

COMMENTS ON FARM BUREAU-ORGANIZED LABOR RELATIONSHIP
Scope and Content Note: Farm Bureau agreed labor had a right to organize, but opposed closed shop.

WFBF PROPOSES SALES TAX LEGISLATION
Scope and Content Note: Wisconsin sales tax a “brain-child of Bill KasaKaitas and the Farm Bureau”; at least 75% of the county farm bureaus had resolutions supporting a general or selective sales tax as a means to lower personal property taxes for both farmers and industry. WFBF for many years countered strong opposition from organized labor and WAC, WFU, and WCAC, which supported a redistribution of income taxes instead of a new sales tax, by arguing that taxing those with higher incomes ultimately leads to higher consumer prices. Rank-and-file Bureau members favored a selective sales tax, but Bureau lobbyists used demand for a general sales tax as a “hedge.”

WFBF OPPOSES DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME
Scope and Content Note: Most farmers were opposed, and still oppose, daylight savings time because extra morning hour cannot be used for farm field work. “The farmer's got to work with the elements.”

WFBF OPPOSES POPULATION-BASED, AS OPPOSED TO PROPERTY-BASED, REAPPORTIONMENT
Scope and Content Note: Development of “fringe areas” around cities where urbanites, with small land holdings, outnumber farmers two to one meant that farmers gradually lost power to combat high property taxes. Many older farmers in Hardiman's neighborhood worry over future property tax increases of the type that ruined nineteenth century German farmers.

FURTHER COMMENTS ON POLITICAL REAPPORTIONMENT
Scope and Content Note: Reapportionment necessary, but gerrymandering, too often done, is “dirty politics whoever does it.” Cites Republican state senator Robert Knowles' 1976 defeat as result of gerrymandering heavily Republican areas out of his 90-mile-long district. Comments on growth of Democrats among farmers since 1950's.

WFB SUPPORTS WATER RIGHTS LEGISLATION
Scope and Content Note: Bulk of support for legislation guaranteeing farmers' right to water on property and to maximum water supplies came from sandy areas such as those in Waupaca County, where irrigation is necessary.

WFB SUPPORTS WATER RIGHTS LEGISLATION, CONTINUED
Scope and Content Note: Farm Bureau members participated in hearings with state natural resources officials and the city of Fond du Lac because new city well threatened to lower level of water table.

REMUNERATION FOR LAND CONDEMNATION TO BUILD INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS
Scope and Content Note: Governments have, and will probably always have, property condemnation privileges, so Farm Bureau fought for legislation to compensate farmers for moving, business interruption, and liquidation expenses not normally included in government land condemnation payments. Cites example of Knutson family near Janesville; comments on probability of future food problems created by interstate highway construction removing from cultivation 40-60 productive acres per mile.

WFBF SUPPORTS IMPROVEMENT OF MIGRANT LABOR LIVING CONDITIONS
Scope and Content Note: Problem not only providing good living conditions and adequate facilities but also one of re-educating migrant laborers to “use the facilities that are there.” Cites personal visits to migrant camps where conditions were excellent but abused by workers--situation overlooked by “do-gooders.”

COMMENTS ON INTEGRATION
Scope and Content Note: Contrasts forced integration of Milwaukee blacks with the gradual, voluntary integration of Milwaukee Polish; recalls being “bosom friends” with blacks during high school years because of mutual respect, not because government regulations required it.