6/21/76

INTRODUCTION

BECOMES INVOLVED IN COOPERATIVES
Scope and Content Note: Ambition since high school to work in dairy plant. After graduation in 1929, unable to get lob in creamery since most plants hiring married men only. Began farming in 1935; kept attending meetings of Witwen Creamery, later Honey Creek Valley Dairy Cooperative. Elected to board of directors in 1947.

CHURCH OPPOSITION IN SWITCHING TO GRADE A MILK
Scope and Content Note: Increased demand for whole milk during war years prompted Sprecher and others to favor conversion to Grade A operation. Evangelical church opposed because Grade A milk meant work on Sunday.

LEND-LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND WISCONSIN COOPERATIVE CREAMERIES ASSOCIATION (WCCA)
Scope and Content Note: In mid-1940s WCCA, consisting of about eighteen member creameries, made agreement with government to provide dried milk in exchange for construction of plant under lend-lease program. Plant with capacity of 300,000 pounds built at Union Center (Juneau county), a compromise location which was a mistake.

DRIED MILK PRODUCTION AT UNION CENTER
Scope and Content Note: Plant ultimately produced one million pounds per day. Disagree- ment over whether dried milk a “war-time baby” only or research would prove it a good product for human consumption. Powder now a major product from milk.

PROLIFERATION OF GRADE A MILK MARKET
Scope and Content Note: Several Grade A milk plants, but most farmers resisted “having those inspectors come around from Chicago and smell your farm out.” Honey Creek converted to Grade A in early 1950s; truckers first picked up in cans; bulk handling began and that proved to be “the riot.” Haulers needed to modernize; farmers had to be reindoctrinated that bulk cooling made it possible to mix morning and evening milk.

IMPACT OF GRADE A ON SMALL DAIRY PLANTS
Scope and Content Note: Patrons lost; financial difficulties. Recalls one plant appealing to WCCA directors; decided to do consolidation feasibility study of the eighteen plants.

RESISTANCE TO CONSOLIDATION PLANS OF WCCA
Scope and Content Note: Resistance from small-town bankers, businessmen, women shoppers. Biggest counterargument: higher farmer income will increase farmers' trade potential in local community. Arranged for many banks to be depositories for cooperative's funds. Key question was whether patrons should join new organization piecemeal or all together.

INTAKE BUILT FOR UNION CENTER TO CONVERT PLANT TO BUTTER

LOCATION OF PLANTS THAT CONSOLIDATED INTO WCCA
Scope and Content Note: Sumpter, Baraboo, Wisconsin Dells, La Valle, Wonewoc, Mauston, Ontario, Clifton, Mount Tabor, Hillsboro, Oakdale. Intensive competition between these cooperatives for patrons.

ADMINISTRATIVE PROBLEMS IN ABSORBING PLANTS
Scope and Content Note: Some broke, some rich, all had equity in Union Center. Decided every plant to come in at ratio of $1.25 worth of assets to $1.00 worth of liabilities; pooled assets over that amount.

TRADITION OF FARMERS HAULING OWN MILK TO COMMUNITY COOPERATIVE CREAMERIES
Scope and Content Note: “Was holy with these farmers” to haul own milk; WCCA finally stopped subsidizing this by deciding no one would haul own milk.

ASSISTANCE FROM UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON
Scope and Content Note: Help from such professors as L. C. Thomsen.

OTHER FARMERS WHO JOINED SPRECHER IN PROMOTING CONSOLIDATION OF SMALL PLANTS
Scope and Content Note: Haggerty from La Valle; Good from Wonewoc; Barnes at New Lisbon.

SUPPORT OF FARMERS FOR CONSOLIDATION
Scope and Content Note: Farmer-patrons of small plants often more support than leaders. Higher farm price for milk despite many having to make costly farm improvements. Younger farmers in debt more likely to cooperate.

PROBLEM OF STRUCTURING BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Scope and Content Note: Dissolved board; neutral committee set up new districting system and selected directors.

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN DEAN TELLS SPRECHER TO THINK BIGGER
Scope and Content Note: College of Agriculture Dean Rudolph Froker met with Sprecher in 1958 or 1959 and told him that WCCA still thinking small; needed “one cooperative from the Wisconsin River to the Mississippi;” cited accomplishments of Lake to Lake and Consolidated Badger. Urged Sprecher to call meeting to include representatives from plants at Sauk City, a bitter competitor; WCCA, Reedsburg, Richland Center, and Portage.

END OF TAPE 1, SIDE 1

INTRODUCTION

EARLY MEETINGS AT LAKE DELTON AND ELROY
Scope and Content Note: Froker dominated dinner meeting of twenty-one representatives. Second meeting four-five months later at Elroy. No immediate results; Froker not disappointed. Dr. Nick Fabricius, Ladysmith, talked about merger from practical point of view. More receptiveness, but still hesitancy.

SPRECHER AND MANAGER OF SAUK CITY PLANT MAKE MERGER AGREEMENT IN ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY
Scope and Content Note: Floyd Harris and Sprecher agreed to work, on respective ends on milk plant territory. Sauk City and WCCA boards got together; inefficient if both Sauk City and WCCA put in expensive new dryers while both lose patrons.

AGREEMENT TO START NEWLY MERGED COOPERATIVE BY
Scope and Content Note: Assistance from Francis Hough, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture. Exchanged equities; combined boards; redistricted territory; picked neutral name of Wisconsin Dairies Cooperative (WDC). By February, 1963, farmer-members approved merger. Harris named manager; Sprecher elected president. New dryer never purchased.

OTHER COOPERATIVES INDUCED TO JOIN WDC
Scope and Content Note: Good earnings; good publicity. By 1964, Richland Center cooperative having difficulties, but National Farmers Organization (NFO) critical of WDC threat to merge and close Richland Center plant. Richland Center businessmen favorable; WDC kept plant open after consolidation.

HILLPOINT COOPERATIVE JOINS WDC
Scope and Content Note: Hillpoint, Grade A powder plant at Reedsburg, result of previous mergers; pushed toward WDC by salmonella problem in 1965. WDC promised that the $200,000 in Hillpoint building fund would be distributed to farmers.

EXCELSIOR COOPERATIVE CREAMERY (BARABOO) JOINS WDC
Scope and Content Note: Joined not long after Hillpoint.

WISCONSIN DELLS JOINS WDC
Scope and Content Note: Well-run bottling, butter, and skim plant. WDC tried to continue bottling and failed; sold it to the Hawthorn-Mellody Company.

WDC VOTED OUT OF CHICAGO FLUID MARKET
Scope and Content Note: WDC competed against Pure Milk Association (PMA) in Chicago market. PMA voted out WDC's Chicago milk order in 1965. WDC decided to invest about $200,000 in Berne, Indiana firm; after several years cleaned house; Leroy Litscher took over management.

DAIRY MAID PRODUCTS COOPERATIVE (FORMERLY DRIED MILK PRODUCTS COOPERATIVE) JOINS WDC
Scope and Content Note: Based at Eau Claire, DMPC originally designed to inform member plants of dried milk prices.

END TAPE 1, SIDE 2

INTRODUCTION

SPRECHER ELECTED TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF DRIED MILK PRODUCTS COOPERATIVE (DMPC)
Scope and Content Note: Elected to five-member board of directors before Wisconsin Dairies Cooperative (WDC) formed.

COMMENTS ON FLOYD LUCIA, MANAGER OF DMPC
Scope and Content Note: Originally field man for old Wisconsin Cooperative Creameries Association, Lucia became close friend of Sprecher's. “Father of initiating quality milk on the farm,” although abused by many farmers as “white-collar guy.”

DMPC BEGINS TO PACKAGE POWDERED MILK
Scope and Content Note: DMPC sold surplus powdered milk to national government for welfare and aid distribution programs. Later began to package powder, as did the Sauk City plant and others in west central Wisconsin and Minnesota.

DEVELOPMENT OF IMPROVED POWDERED MILK
Scope and Content Note: DMPC supportive of research to develop powdered milk with better dissolvability; led to development of outstanding instant powdered milk. Also developed drying process, but Carnation sued for patent infringement.

DMPC BECOMES DAIRY MAID AND MERGES WITH LAND O'LAKES (LOL), INC.
Scope and Content Note: When DMPC began bulk handling of butter, changed name to Dairy Maid. Need for brand name and expected development of cheese line led to merger with LOL in March 1965. Dairy Maid brought eighty million dollars worth of business to LOL.

LOL CHEESE MARKETING
Scope and Content Note: LOL began merchandising consumer cheese several years before merger with WDC; had purchased large plant at Spencer, Wisconsin, still main plant for warehousing and packaging. Lake to Lake, leader in rindless packaging of natural cheese, today markets all butter and powder but only some cheese through LOL.

SPRECHER IS ELECTED TO LOL BOARD OF DIRECTORS,
Scope and Content Note: Sprecher elected to LOL board after territory redistricted following merger with Dairy Maid. Disagreement with Dean Froker over Dairy Maid-LOL proposed merger. Froker believed Wisconsin should develop its own statewide marketing organization and brand name, a feeling rooted as far back as the 1920s.

OTHER DIFFICULTIES IN PROMOTING DAIRYMAID-LOL MERGER
Scope and Content Note: Sprecher visited many plants to promote merger. Opposition from National Farmers Organization; Sprecher once followed home by three cars.

ATTEMPTS BY COOPERATIVES TO DEVELOP ASEPTIC CANNING
Scope and Content Note: Nick Fabricius advised Dairy Maid to use milk in western Wisconsin not under federal milk order system to use aseptic canning process for ice cream, mixed baby foods, and pudding. Plant at Clear Lake exciting but unstable because aseptic canning dependent upon “fad” products. LOL still in aseptic canning, but most others unsuccessful.

FELCO JOINS LOL; CONTROVERSY WHEN TERRITORY REDISTRICTED
Scope and Content Note: FELCO, primarily agricultural services organization for meat producers in Iowa, southern Minnesota, Nebraska, and parts of Dakota, desired marketing contract with LOL for meat and soy bean products. LOL and FELCO merged in 1970; controversial redistricting over six-state area.

NON-FARMER MEMBERS OF LOL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Scope and Content Note: Board added agricultural economist and “financial man” to provide outside knowledge and perspective. Sprecher feels additions made LOL a leader rather than follower of change.

SPRECHER ELECTED PRESIDENT OF LOL
Scope and Content Note: After FELCO and LOL merger, Sprecher elected president and has served for seven years. Now 65, Sprecher will retire from board by March 1977 because of LOL age policy.

OTHER LOL ACQUISITIONS
Scope and Content Note: Include H. C. Christian Company, large Chicago butter merchandising firm.

WDC LEADERSHIP IN BUTTER-MAKING AND POWDERED MILK OPERATION
Scope and Content Note: WDC first to adopt continuous butter-making operation; “putting the cream in one end and printing it out of the other end.” WDC also first to start bulk handling of powder in tote bins in 1964-1965.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WDC AND LOL
Scope and Content Note: WDC first marketed powder through Dairy Maid, which merged with the LOL marketing organization. WDC now contracts with LOL to sell all its butter; LOL makes marketing decisions.

RIVALRY BETWEEN WDC AND HIAWATHA VALLEY DAIRIES COOPERATIVE
Scope and Content Note: Both established about same time. Though WDC now buys butter- milk from Hiawatha Valley and dries it, has been intensive, clean competition between them in acquiring smaller plants. Recalls WDC lost Cashton and Pigeon Falls plants to Hiawatha Valley. Hiawatha Valley markets cheese through LOL, and Sprecher foresees eventual Hiawatha Valley and WDC merger.

WDC TERRITORY
Scope and Content Note: Territory conforms to original plan of extending from Wisconsin River to Mississippi River. Also extends through southeast to Whitewater, Deerfield, and Genoa City to Illinois state line. Area not consolidated; much room for improvement.

PROBABILITY OF LARGER BUT FEWER FAMILY FARMS
Scope and Content Note: Foresees dwindling of present 50,000 farmers to half that number; believes dairy farming must become two-family operation to eliminate constant 365-day attention required now of one-family enterprises.

NEED FOR AND FAILURE OF MILK MARKETING COOPERATIVES TO SUPPORT YOUNG DAIRY FARMERS
Scope and Content Note: Feels cooperatives should be doing more to help farmers stay in business; so far “fancy resolutions” endorsing family farm and keeping young men on farm are only “nice words.” Too much emphasis in cooperatives on short-range economic returns; too little attention to long-range questions of helping to finance farmers and providing field services to help with feeding problems. Older members fear influence of young members, which discourages latter's participation.

END TAPE 2, SIDE 1

INTRODUCTION

IMPORTANCE TO YOUNG FARMER OF EDUCATION AND MEMBERSHIP IN COOPERATIVE
Scope and Content Note: Farmer must be better educated to be asset to himself and community. Satisfaction in dairy farming, but Sprecher would, if starting to farm again, immediately join a cooperative because it instills pride in ownership of a brand name, keeps members informed about state and national politics, and develops leadership. Feels necessity of cooperation within cooperative has made him more tolerant.

WDC EXPANSION AFTER
Scope and Content Note: Bought out several private cheese plants; Genoa City, with complete Grade A operation, merged with WDC in 1974. In 1975, cooperatives at Clear Lake and at Barron, once largest butter- making plant in the country, joined WDC. Foresees more mergers.

EFFECTS OF COOPERATIVE MERGERS ON FARMER MEMBERS
Scope and Content Note: Constantly expanding cooperatives must get closer to farmers with field workers' face-to-face contact.

NEED FOR COLLEGE EDUCATED PEOPLE IN COOPERATIVES
Scope and Content Note: Cooperatives need fewer “good guys,” and more well-educated, qualified people who can talk to all farmers, especially the increasing number of university-educated farmers.

MEMBERSHIP IN DAIRY MAID LEADS TO INVOLVEMENT WITH NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Scope and Content Note: Sprecher asked to be on Secretary of Agriculture Orville Freeman's dairy advisory committee while on Dairy Maid board of directors. Committee function more to be told the administration's thinking than to advise the administration.

BECOMES DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL MILK PRODUCERS FEDERATION (NMPF),
Scope and Content Note: Sprecher became NMPF director after Wisconsin Cooperative Creameries Association joined the NMPF. When Dairy Maid merged with LOL, Sprecher became member of Executive Committee of the NMPF.

BECOMES DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL COUNCIL OF FARMER COOPERATIVES
Scope and Content Note: FELCO member of National Council of Farmer Cooperatives when merged with LOL. Sprecher has been a director since 1971.

BECOMES DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE COUNCIL OF AMERICA
Scope and Content Note: Council formed to promote better relations between consumers and farmers. Sprecher served on board of directors; very approving of its objectives.

COMMENTS ON MILO SWANTON, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OF WISCONSIN COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVES (WCAC)
Scope and Content Note: Swanton ran “best cooperative organization that the State of Wisconsin's ever had.” Everyone respected him, knew where he stood. Swanton very adept at delegating responsibilities.

MERGER OF WISCONSIN ASSOCIATION OF COOPERATIVES (WAC) AND WCAC
Scope and Content Note: Sprecher remains uneasy over merger between WAC and WCAC because consumers' cooperatives and agricultural production cooperatives have different objectives.

ATTEMPT BY ASSOCIATED MILK PRODUCERS INCORPORATED (AMPI) OFFICIAL TO BRING IN WDC
Scope and Content Note: Sprecher strongly felt that operating cooperatives in Wisconsin and Pure Milk Association (PMA) should have gotten together. But “real feeling” against merging operating cooperative with a bargaining cooperative. PMA then began to look South. Sprecher very bitter about AMPI's David Parr's unsuccessful attempt to bribe him.

CONTROVERSY OVER PARITY FOR MILK LEADS TO POLITICAL FUNDING OF PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN
Scope and Content Note: LOL opposed NMPF efforts to increase parity level from 75 to 85 per cent. AMPI agreed with NMPF; President Nixon agreed with AMPI, overruling Secretary of Agriculture Clifford Hardin. Meanwhile, LOL farmer-members antagonistic toward their own directors and put much pressure on them to furnish corporate funds to Nixon administration as AMPI was rumored to have done.

POSSIBILITY OF WDC JOINING AMPI
Scope and Content Note: Sprecher feels increased Department of Justice judgments pertaining to cooperative monopoly makes WDC merger with AMPI unlikely and possibly illegal.

END TAPE 2, SIDE 2

8/9/76

INTRODUCTION

SPRECHER'S EARLY YEARS
Scope and Content Note: Born April, 1911, on small, rented farm one mile north of Witwen. Father bought farm near Lodi in 1913; moved back to Witwen in 1918. Farmhouse constructed of logs, covered with siding. Period of difficulty; prices high, no conveniences.

EDUCATION
Scope and Content Note: Graduated from country school 1924. Went to high school at parents insistence, but attended haphazardly because of farm work.

LOW MILK PRICES,
Scope and Content Note: During post-war recession, milk sold for as little as one dollar per hundred. Cows of generally poor quality, milked by hand.

RECESSION STIMULATES FARMERS TO LIME SOIL AND GROW ALFALFA
Scope and Content Note: Farmers at first resistant to liming soil and growing alfalfa, but recession helped to change their minds.

DESIRE FOR INVOLVEMENT IN COOPERATIVES AND FAILURE TO BE ADMITTED TO DAIRY SCHOOL
Scope and Content Note: After high school graduation, Sprecher wanted to be involved in dairy cooperatives. Work experience in dairy plant required for dairy school admission but plants preferred to hire married men.

SPRECHER FAMILIES IN SAUK CITY AREA
Scope and Content Note: Sprechers in area descended from two separate European branches. Unclear of family's origins; believes his grandparents born in U.S., but knows little of ancestry.

SPRECHER RENTS FARM
Scope and Content Note: Sprecher's wife's grandmother held mortgage on farm; gave him first chance to rent after another family on the farm, for whom Sprecher was hired man, couldn't continue.

SPRECHER BEGINS TO FARM
Scope and Content Note: Began farming in 1935 with $300. Newly married, Sprecher used wife's savings from teaching salary. 200 acres; 100 marsh. Able to use machinery from nearby farms of both parents and in-laws.

ARRIVAL OF FIRST CHILD AND NEW FURNACE
Scope and Content Note: Furnace broke down during winter of 1935-1936; closed off several rooms to live in. Pride in arrival of first son matched by effort to save $185 for new furnace.

PURCHASES FARM IN
Scope and Content Note: Wife's grandmother gave him first option to buy. Bank reluctant to finance $6,500; Sprecher used wife's savings as collateral, but needed six signers on note. Lived very frugally to pay off note; after paid off, bank begged him to borrow more. Banks now more willing to make agricultural loans.

BEGINS TO BUILD DAIRY HERD
Scope and Content Note: Began with ten to twelve cows, Holsteins donated by families. Bought several more cows, most expensive $35; two heifers for $20. Able to pay first year's rent because of good clover crop.

CHOLERA STRIKES HOGS
Scope and Content Note: Early years very optimistic, lived off farm. Had “dreams and visions” of paying off $11,200 debt on farm. Second and third years, hog prices went up, expanded to sixty head, but lost them to cholera. Purchased new feeder pigs of which half died. Much help from family and neighbors enabled yearly income to rise.

CHANGE TO WHOLE MILK MARKETING
Scope and Content Note: Traditionally community farmers separated own milk, sold cream, fed skim to calves and hogs. Demand for condensed milk led some young farmers to want to market whole milk. Fundamentalists in Sprecher's church opposed whole milk pickup and processing on Sundays. Much hard feeling, but after six months about eighty per cent of farmers selling whole milk and controversy died. Eliminated high fat losses from separating on farm.

COMMENTS ON GOOD MEALS AND HARD WORK
Scope and Content Note: After change to whole milk marketing, found it difficult to adjust to loss of breakfast cream, ice cream, and cream puffs. Worked very hard physically, but ate very well in those days.

NEW MILKING EQUIPMENT AND OTHER CHANGES
Scope and Content Note: Wife helped hand-milk twenty-four cows. Bought first milking machine in 1938; first a Surge, then a Universal, later a Bou-Matic. Unlike most, always had electricity. Used wood- burning furnace during 1930s; neighbors aghast when Sprecher also began to burn a little coal, but has always tried to keep up with changes.

COMPARISON OF RURAL AND URBAN LIVING STANDARDS
Scope and Content Note: Rural standards used to be lower, but Sprecher believes now that both rural and urban have same conveniences and farmers have greater freedom. Never regretted farming; happy it provided close relationship with children.

HOUSEHOLD CONVENIENCES IN
Scope and Content Note: Had central heating; household water hand-pumped. Limited water supply in barn.

ANECDOTE ABOUT DOGS AND KITCHEN STOVE
Scope and Content Note: Remembers dogs used to stick their heads in wood- burning ovens to get warm in the morning.

USES KITCHEN RANGE FOR HEAT
Scope and Content Note: Remembers one day couldn't get house above freezing; closed all the rooms, moved house plants into kitchen, and used kitchen range for heat.

END TAPE 3, SIDE 1

INTRODUCTION

CROPS, INCLUDING SWEET PEAS AS CASH CROP
Scope and Content Note: Raised corn, oats, hay for livestock; peas as a cash crop. Had to load peas by hand, haul in wagon five miles to a viner, haul vines home and unload. After pea harvest, used acreage for silo corn if weather good. Earlier custom of judging weight and quality of peas by eye gave way to weighing in bin. Very social atmosphere at fly-infested pea viners; site of many practical jokes.

INCREASING DAIRY HERD LEADS TO END OF PEA GROWING
Scope and Content Note: Stopped growing peas during World War II; family not big enough to provide labor, difficult to get help, had expanded dairy operation.

TRACTORS
Scope and Content Note: Shared second-hand steel-wheeled tractor with parents when bought farm. Used tractor for plowing, horses for other work. In early 1940s purchased John Deere rubber-tired tractor for cultivating corn. One of few rubber-tired tractors in area at that time, many wished to hire it.

PRESENT AND PAST FARM INCOME
Scope and Content Note: Sprecher's farm in 1976 out on land contract. Receives $1,300- $1,400 for only one-fourth of the milk check. In 1930s farmed same 200 acres; yearly income was $1,500 for farm which in 1970s grosses $70,000-$80,000.

ANECDOTE ABOUT TOY TRAIN FOR SON
Scope and Content Note: When son ten years old, bought him toy train for $3.89. Hid extravagance from parents; didn't want them to know they were so “liberal-spending.”

AID FROM COUNTY AGENT
Scope and Content Note: County agent advised Sprecher on field lay-out, tested soil to determine amount of fertilizer needed. At first much skepticism in neighborhood about commercial fertilizers.

INFLUENCE OF NEIGHBOR CARL ENGE ON SPRECHER ADOPTING NEW METHODS
Scope and Content Note: Some farmers too ambitious, overextended themselves to make improvements, and couldn't manage. Carl Enge, leader of change, always expanded within his ability; led community in adopting hybrid seed, dairy improvements, and irrigation practices.

COMMENTS ON FARMERS WHO EXPAND WITH EXCLUSIVE RELIANCE ON HIRED LABOR
Scope and Content Note: Critical of farmers who ask hired labor to perform tasks farmer doesn't want to. Such farmers rarely succeed.

SOURCE OF IDEAS FOR FARM IMPROVEMENTS
Scope and Content Note: Finds ideas in farm journals and through involvement in cooperatives.

DECIDES NOT TO EXPAND FARM
Scope and Content Note: Son's decision not to return to farm persuaded Sprecher not to buy additional land. Regrettable decision for purely financial reasons. Over the years farmed little more than original 200 acres; occasionally rented extra land.

RETIRES FROM ACTIVE FARMING
Scope and Content Note: Began reducing active involvement in farm in 1963 when moved off property; subsequent heart attack and stroke in 1971 lessened involvement further. Stresses necessity of living within financial and physical capabilities.

CHANGE TO GRADE A MILK
Scope and Content Note: Sprecher, a director of Honey Creek Valley Dairy Cooperative which used Grade B milk, did not change to Grade A until 1954. Area farmers initially hostile to Chicago inspectors who must accompany change to Grade A.

COMMENTS ON ADOPTING CHANGE
Scope and Content Note: Difficulty to draw line between a farmer being too slow on one hand, or overly ambitious on the other.

FARM BUREAU MEMBER
Scope and Content Note: Has belonged to Farm Bureau since became a farmer, but never very active. Felt he should retain neutral position between Farm Bureau and Farmers Union because of his involvement in cooperatives. Tries to stay current on positions of all general farmers organizations.

COMMENTS ON NATIONAL FARMERS ORGANIZATION (NFO)
Scope and Content Note: Has never liked NFO philosophy, resort to “threatening way of doing things” and violence, rather than building on past organization experiences. Recalls seeing trucker shot at by NFO. NFO strong in Sauk County; considerable animosity between Sprecher and NFO led to hard feelings between pro-and anti- NFO farm families in community.

COMMENTS ON MILO SWANTON
Scope and Content Note: Always retained even-tempered approach.

OPPOSITION TO NFO WITHHOLDING ACTION; RECALLS SIMILAR SITUATION IN THE
Scope and Content Note: NFO first wanted to end government involvement in pricing and force prices higher by withholding. Sprecher, already involved in current milk marketing policies, opposed. Same withholding attempt in early 1930s; Sprecher told to dump cream, but refused and instead was deputized to guard creamery; got seventy-five cents extra in wages. Recalls impressive speaker at Prairie du Sac mass meeting whose plea helped end milk strike in the early 1930s.

END TAPE 3, SIDE 2

INTRODUCTION

GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT IN AGRICULTURE
Scope and Content Note: Supports LOL position that government involvement in agriculture should basically be restricted to international trade. Opposes government support of prices in exchange for production controls. Opposes NFO position of farmers contract- bargaining with processors and packers.

FUNCTION OF COOPERATIVES
Scope and Content Note: Feels cooperatives should be based on marketing and merchandising; should try to control more of basic resources for fertilizer and energy. LOL in 1976 member of cooperative consortium in Egypt seeking new sources of crude oil. Older farmers resist expanding function of cooperatives; younger farmers tend to support.

OPPOSITION TO NFO RELIANCE ON BARGAINING BASED ON COST OF PRODUCTION
Scope and Content Note: Believes NFO reliance on bargaining on basis of cost of pro- duction impractical; cost of production variables differ for each farmer. NFO resort to violence during withholding actions has presented poor farmer image to consumers. Farmers must alter production techniques to suit changing consumer taste; must accept consumer preference for margarine and modify their farm operations accordingly; must educate consumers about the basic facts of farming.

LITTLE FAMILY CONNECTION BETWEEN NEIGHBORHOOD SUPPORTERS OF 1930'S WISCONSIN COOPERATIVE MILK POOL AND NFO
Scope and Content Note: Perhaps some connection in thinking patterns of members of Milk Pool and NFO: unwillingness to change, little involve- ment in cooperatives, personal disgruntlements, rather than continuity of philosophy in particular neighborhood families.

NFO EFFECTIVE ORGANIZING METHOD
Scope and Content Note: “Terrific system of getting people involved,” good system of communication with members.

NFO MEMBERSHIP
Scope and Content Note: Believes NFO composed largely of disgruntled farmers, perhaps seeking some recognition. Respects great sacrifices made by members for NFO, but disapproves of NFO attitude which condemns “everything in the past.”

ANECDOTE ABOUT OREN LEE STALEY, NATIONAL PRESIDENT NFO
Scope and Content Note: Sprecher liked Staley personally when met him in Washington, D.C., although no substantive issues discussed.

FARM BUREAU AND FARMERS UNION ATTITUDE TOWARD GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT IN AGRICULTURE
Scope and Content Note: Concerned that Bureau and Union national positions often different from state-level positions. FB basically against government interference while Farmers Union supports. Sprecher in middle; supporting government involvement in several areas, particularly international trade, but opposing government involvement in operations of individual farms.

SPRECHER SUPPORTS ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL FOOD POLICY
Scope and Content Note: Would fulfill humanitarian responsibility to help people in developing nations and economic necessity to stabilize prices and income in the U.S. Feels Farmers Union more likely than FB to support such a policy, one that would demonstrate to the world U.S. desire to play a leadership role.

GOVERNMENT OWNERSHIP OF GRAIN STORAGE BINS
Scope and Content Note: Opposes.

SPRECHER SUPPORTS ESTABLISHMENT OF INTERNATIONAL “RESOURCES FUND”
Scope and Content Note: Believes food bank should be established on international level, as part of “resource fund” of energy, metals, fertilizers, money, and perhaps people.

SUPPORTS INVOLVEMENT OF COOPERATIVES IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE
Scope and Content Note: Estimates sixty per cent American grain sold to local cooperatives, only four per cent of which reaches overseas market. Grain exports controlled by five major companies. Supports establishment of interregional cooperatives to provide storage and loading facilities to strengthen marketing power. Control by cooperatives would improve image of American exporters, damaged by such practices as adding sand for weight.

OVERSEAS INTEREST IN WORKING DIRECTLY WITH U.S. COOPERATIVES
Scope and Content Note: Several nations, including Denmark, interested in direct trade with cooperatives.

ESTABLISHMENT OF AGRICULTURE COUNCIL OF AMERICA TO IMPROVE URBAN-RURAL RELATIONS
Scope and Content Note: Agriculture Council of America established to narrow gap in understanding between urban and rural people by arranging farm visits for city people.

END TAPE 4, SIDE 1

11/10/76

INTRODUCTION

FARM BUILDINGS ON SPRECHER FARM
Scope and Content Note: Originally a house, barn, hoghouse, chickenhouse, part of a shed, corn-crib. Later, most outbuildings removed or replaced. Farmhouse completely remodeled; barn has new addition, com- pletely remodeled on inside. 12 x 45 cement-stave silo built about 1942; 12 x 60 silo built in 1963.

NEW EQUIPMENT ELIMINATES DRUDGERY
Scope and Content Note: Later addition of equipment for automated feeding, silo unloading, and barn cleaning helped to increase production but eliminated much physical drudgery.

WHY SPRECHER DECIDES TO BUILD CEMENT STAVE-SILO
Scope and Content Note: Hard to get wooden-stave silo; convinced by neighbor, a sales- man, to buy one of cement-staves. Built at cost of less than $1,000; later silo cost over $13,000. Considered buying Harvestore silo in 1960s but cost $7,000-$8,000 more than cement-stave structure.

FORKING HAY
Scope and Content Note: Stopped forking hay about 1960.

EXPANDS AND IMPROVES BARN
Scope and Content Note: Barn originally built for nineteen cows; expanded to accommodate forty-two. Built separate, environment- controlled barn for calves. Main barn remodeled three times over the years. First barn cleaner installed about mid-1950s.

PROBLEM OF FARM WATER SUPPLY
Scope and Content Note: Windmill unreliable, often had to pump water by hand until purchase of electric motor. Inadequate water supply until well drilled about 1953.

FORTIETH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY GIFT
Scope and Content Note: Very moved by daughter's gift of a metal model of the farm as it was during the early years (hanging on wall of Sprecher's home in Sauk City).

WHERE TO LOCATE A SILO
Scope and Content Note: Should locate on side of barn rather than on the end to allow room for expansion. Sprecher's newest silo not attached to barn but in midst of cement yard.

LIGHTNING RODS ON BARN
Scope and Content Note: Put lightning rods on barns because of concern for fire; explains how to position rods on barn roof.

IMPROVEMENTS IN LOADING HAY
Scope and Content Note: Forked loose hay until cultivation of alfalfa; use of haylage became widespread in 1940s. Unsuccessfully tried to chop dry hay. In mid-1940s bought a baler with brother and used it for all except silo hay. Later used automated loading machinery.

SHARING MACHINERY WITH OTHERS
Scope and Content Note: Important that farmers share expensive machinery; Sprecher fortunate to cooperate with brother. Together bought McCormick-Deering seed-plow tractor in 1936 for plowing; later purchased a cultivator. Emphasizes acreage covered by modern tractor with five-bottom plow.

FAMILY HELPS LOA LOOSE HAY UNTIL TRACTOR ABLE TO PULL HAY LOADER
Scope and Content Note: Wife and children helped drive team while men loaded hay. Explains how to load loose hay on a wagon.

FALL PLOWING
Scope and Content Note: Liked to plow in fall to save time in spring. Much more fall plowing in Minnesota than in Sauk City area.

USE OF COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS
Scope and Content Note: Soil needs commercial fertilizer in fall. Sprecher first tested it (type C-12) in his marsh. Feels commercial fertilizers, improved seeds, and better soil management all have reduced potentially drastic effects of 1970s drought.

SOIL EROSION BECAUSE OF FALL PLOWING
Scope and Content Note: Soil erosion if winter doesn't bring considerable snowfall.

BUYS MANY SUPPLIES AT SAUK CITY FARMCO COOPERATIVE
Scope and Content Note: Over the years has bought almost all expendables such as seed and twine at Sauk City Farmco Cooperative.

IMPORTANCE OF BUYING MACHINERY FROM DEALER WHO PROVIDES GOOD SERVICE
Scope and Content Note: Bought milking and other equipment from private dealer who provided reliable service. Very expensive modern machinery requires constant care. Gives example of high repair costs in 1970s.

BUYS FIRST COMBINE ABOUT
Scope and Content Note: Ran threshing rig with brother, but about 1951 grain too windblown and tough and bought a combine on the spur of the moment. Recalls German exchange student startled at on-the- spot decision to buy major piece of machinery. Combined extensively in the neighborhood that fall; sold old threshing machine before it became obsolete. John Deere combine cost $700-$800; disliked cranking engine, so after two years got another when purchased bigger tractor with power take-off. In 1970s many individual farmers better off to contract for combining because of high machinery prices.

END TAPE 5, SIDE 1

INTRODUCTION

SHARING FARM EQUIPMENT WITH BROTHER
Scope and Content Note: Able to save money and buy good machinery by sharing costs and upkeep with brother.

LOCATION OF BROTHER'S FARM
Scope and Content Note: Brother's farm about one mile away; extensive road-running hard on equipment.

SPRECHER AND BROTHER PROVIDE THRESHING MACHINE FOR OTHER FARMERS
Scope and Content Note: Charged farmers various prices; considered $50 per day and $500 for a season of threshing very good. Enjoyed providing the service; threshing crews lots of fun.

MEALS FOR THRESHING CREWS
Scope and Content Note: Farmwives competed to provide most impressive meals for threshing crews; “banquets” every day.

POLITICAL DISCUSSIONS AMONG MEMBERS OF THRESHING CREWS
Scope and Content Note: Often tempers flared over political issues.

LAMENT OVER THRESHING DAYS
Scope and Content Note: Misses camaraderie of threshing crews; work easier since demise of threshing, but improvements also have meant sacrificing the good times.

CONTRACT ARRANGEMENTS FOR THRESHING
Scope and Content Note: Contracted informally to do threshing for same farmers every year.

SHREDDING CORN
Scope and Content Note: Explains how farmers used to shock corn, dry it, then run through shredder to separate ears and stalks. Stalks went to barn for feed and bedding. Shredding hard and dangerous work. Sprecher provided shredding service for other farmers for $5 per hour. Less shredding done after more alfalfa grown for haylage.

HOW SPRECHER AND BROTHER DIVIDED THRESHING RESPONSIBILITIES
Scope and Content Note: Brother responsible for machinery maintenance while Sprecher hauled the grain. Sprecher's first job on threshing crew was tending the blower.

WEIGHING AND ELEVATING GRAIN
Scope and Content Note: Bought first grain elevator at Portage during World War II; received government priority because would be used for many farmers.

SETTING A THRESHING MACHINE
Scope and Content Note: Depends on direction of wind.

BUILDING A STRAW PILE
Scope and Content Note: Sprecher built many straw piles for $1 per day extra. Farmers very particular about position on piles.

WOMEN'S ROLE DURING THRESHING
Scope and Content Note: Women's contribution vital; did most of daily chores including milking to enable men to thresh.

DETAIL ON BUILDING A STRAW PILE
Scope and Content Note: Explains how to build a good straw pile.

DRINKING WHILE THRESHING
Scope and Content Note: Not done in Sprecher's community.

WOODCUTTING
Scope and Content Note: Preferred oak; worked with father, brother and neighbors between chore times. During several winters cut cord wood for dairy plants; once cut four cords to buy an overcoat.

COMPARES WORK IN PAST WITH PRESENT
Scope and Content Note: Recalls hard physical labor on farm; always ate and slept well. Worried more in later years when concerned as cooperative leader with other people's affairs; thirty years ago concerned mostly about his own debts.

USE OF HIRED LABOR
Scope and Content Note: Hired some help after first two children born and wife less able to help. Usually hired single men; had homeless boy for many years. Never asked hired worker to do anything he wouldn't. Good relations with all hired help; recalls hiring debt-ridden alcoholic that wife Della helped to straighten out.

END TAPE 5, SIDE 2

INTRODUCTION

DESIRABLE QUALITIES IN FARM LABORER
Scope and Content Note: Honesty; able to feel part of the family. Strongly believes laborer should be well-fed. Hired man should be a “little full of fun,” have some of same interests, and be willing to work. Disliked drinkers.

DIFFICULTY IN HIRING COMPETENT LABOR
Scope and Content Note: More difficult in later years to find competent farm workers; greater skills required to deal with expensive, sophisticated machinery.

WAGES FOR HIRED LABOR
Scope and Content Note: Paid hired men wages comparable to those in town; gave extra rewards at Christmas. In 1970s not uncommon for hired men on dairy farm to get $600-$700 per month, plus room, fuel, and some food. Trend towards hiring married men instead of single men.

COMPARES PAST AND PRESENT WAGES FOR HIRED MEN
Scope and Content Note: Sprecher in 1930s earned $200 per year as a hired man; fifteen years ago paid hired man $200 per month .

MORE ON HIRED MEN
Scope and Content Note: Hired men often went into business after leaving Sprecher's farm, although none farmed. Hired help often farm boys with too many brothers on family farm.

IMPACT OF WORLD WAR II ON FARMING
Scope and Content Note: Brought great increase in farm income; Sprecher able to pay off debts and heavy mortgage. Rented more land during war. “Anybody that didn't make money in those years will never make money.”

ANECDOTE ABOUT STOCK MARKET INVESTMENT
Scope and Content Note: Recalls rich neighbor who convinced him during 1940s to invest in paper company stock. At first made large profit, then reinvested it and just broke even. Later invested only in safe companies, like utilities.

SPRECHER DECIDES NOT TO EXPAND
Scope and Content Note: Since son wouldn't remain on farm, Sprecher decided not to expand farm in 1940s, but began to get more involved in cooperatives. Feels he missed opportunities by staying status quo; realized later farmer can't progress by leveling off.

FARM IMPROVEMENTS DURING WORLD WAR II
Scope and Content Note: Net income during war despite rising prices. Bought new tractor, cornpicker, barn cleaner; remodeled house as well as barn. Feels his situation typical of other farmers, though some managed badly, overinvesting in land and equipment.

ABSENCE OF HARD YEARS ON FARM
Scope and Content Note: Years uneven, but recalls no real “bad years.” Most problems related to his own lack of initiative in making heavier investments; should have borrowed more money to make improvements.

HESITATES TO SWITCH TO GRADE A WHILE DIRECTOR OF GRADE B CREAMERY
Scope and Content Note: Area farmers began to change to Grade A market while Sprecher director of the Grade B Honey Creek Valley Dairy Cooperative. While Sprecher's brother switched to Grade A, Sprecher stayed with Grade B until bulk cooling tanks appeared in 1954.

FARM CHANGES REQUIRED BY SWITCH TO GRADE A MARKET
Scope and Content Note: Switched to Grade A in fall 1954. Dug new well, had water tested, cemented cow yard, improved lighting in barn, rewired barn, improved floor. Built new, painted milkhouse with adequate hot water heater and new bulk cooler. Never sorry he switched; approves trend toward all Grade A milk in Wisconsin. Recalls long hours of work to get ready for first Grade A inspection.

FARMER AND MILK HAULER OPPOSITION TO GRADE A
Scope and Content Note: Milk haulers without bulk tank bodies lost customers. Some conservative farmers cautious and hesitated too long. Stresses farmer should be neither overcautious nor overanxious to change.

MORE ON STANDARDS RELATED TO GRADE A
Scope and Content Note: Pipeline systems later brought additional standards. Had to watch cows health more closely, especially for signs of mastitis.

MILK HAULERS ADJUST TO GRADE A
Scope and Content Note: Explains how Grade B milk haulers contracted with dairy plants. With switch to Grade A, state Public Service Commission awarded franchises to haulers which ended competitive bidding between plants. By 1976, Sauk City almost all Grade A, although some plants of Wisconsin Dairies Cooperative still take large amounts of Grade B.

COMPARES PRICE FOR GRADE A AND GRADE B MILK
Scope and Content Note: Traditionally prices higher for Grade A, although more recently narrower gap between Grade A and Grade B prices. More prestige in producing A.

COST OF SWITCH TO GRADE A
Scope and Content Note: Estimates overall cost at $5,000-$6,000; bulk tank alone cost $2,000. Again stresses higher status of Grade A producers among dairy farmers.

END TAPE 6, SIDE 1

INTRODUCTION

CATTLE RAISING AND MARKETING
Scope and Content Note: Over years great changes in raising cattle for meat, mostly because of artificial insemination. Meat producers criticize dairy farmers for raising beef as a sideline. Sprecher raised Holstein steers; sold for around 34 per pound.

MARKETS STEERS THROUGH EQUITY COOPERATIVE LIVESTOCK SHIPPING ASSOCIATION
Scope and Content Note: Sometimes sold steers directly to Oscar Mayer Company in Madison, but usually through Equity. Hauler took steers to auction barn at Richland Center. Dairy farming with combination of dairy and beef potentially more profitable.

NEED FOR FAMILY-SIZED FARMS MANAGED BY TWO FAMILIES
Scope and Content Note: Would release dairy farmers from seven-day work week.

PRIVATE BUYERS CONTACT SPRECHER TO BUY STEERS
Scope and Content Note: Private buyers of steers used to contact Sprecher, though less so in later years. Equity reliable, even though didn't always offer top price.

ASSOCIATION WITH EQUITY COOPERATIVE LIVESTOCK SHIPPING ASSOCIATION
Scope and Content Note: Attended meetings; never an officer because of involvement with dairy cooperatives.

COMMENTS ON FARM BUREAU LIVESTOCK MARKETING PROGRAM COMPETING WITH EQUITY'S
Scope and Content Note: Didn't like Farm Bureau setting up separate program; Equity and FB could work together more closely instead of competing.

SUPPORTS INCREASED COOPERATION AMONG COOPERATIVES
Scope and Content Note: Supported FB and Equity collaboration on marketing, producing, and research of hogs. Need for livestock marketing cooperatives to cooperate more on regional level.

COOPERATIVE CONSORTIUM BUYS ATLANTIC-RICHFIELD COMPANY (ARCO) REFINERY
Scope and Content Note: Example of cooperation among cooperatives. Regionals joined to purchase ARCO refinery in Chicago area.

COOPERATIVES SELL LIVESTOCK
Scope and Content Note: Cooperatives compete to sell livestock, mostly to Oscar Mayer. Believes it might be necessary for cooperatives to develop own processing facilities to bypass Oscar Mayer.

PROMOTION OF DAIRY PRODUCTS
Scope and Content Note: Recalls failure of Wisconsin Dairy Federation to get support from processors and farmers for dairy promotion. Opposition from farmers who fear present and future checkoff rate, and from those who don't believe that farmers should get involved in advertising.

BEGINNING OF INVOLVEMENT IN SAUK COUNTY SCHOOL CONSOLIDATION IN
Scope and Content Note: 1946 law authorized school districts. Sauk county board of supervisors appointed Sprecher to school consolidation committee, organized in 1947. Believed consolidation would provide better schooling opportunities for rural children. Consolidation brought urban and rural people together to share equally burden of financing modern schools.

ADVANTAGES OF CONSOLIDATION OUTWEIGH DISADVANTAGES
Scope and Content Note: While neighborhood lost one-room school as community center and children gave up advantages of close mingling between children of various ages, gains from consolidation greater than losses.

PURPOSE OF SAUK COUNTY CONSOLIDATION COMMITTEE
Scope and Content Note: Get outlying areas into equally valuated high school districts so costs borne equitably among taxpayers. Sprecher remembers young generally supported change; older citizens opposed. Personal harassment; once needed police escort to leave meeting. Anecdote about meeting where young mother who supported consolida- tion knocked out man with opposite viewpoint. Great antagonism against “outsiders” on school committee for attempting to run affairs of local districts.

CONTEMPORARY SCHOOL TEACHER-BOARD RELATIONS
Scope and Content Note: Poor communication; teachers don't know how to make their demands known, and school board doesn't know how to negotiate. Opposes teachers' unions; doesn't like children to see teacher-board of education animosity.

HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICTS ESTABLISHED IN SAUK COUNTY
Scope and Content Note: Sauk county divided into four districts with approximately equal valuations. Committee members went from school to school to explain law and help make decisions on petitions from individuals for attachment.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE ENTANGLED IN COMPETITION AMONG DISTRICTS
Scope and Content Note: Some school administrators interested in grabbing territory outside their own counties; as many as five school committees involved in some Sauk county territory. School committee members often unwelcome and even hated.

MORE ADVANTAGES ON SCHOOL CONSOLIDATION IN SAUK COUNTY
Scope and Content Note: Pulled together cities of Sauk City and Prairie du Sac, even though reservations about travel distance for some rural children.

OLD SAUK CITY AND PRAIRIE DU SAC DISTRICTS
Scope and Content Note: Witwen children went to Prairie du Sac; children south of Witwen to Sauk City. Always much rivalry between Sauk City and Prairie du Sac.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE TRIES TO ACCOMMODATE MAJORITY
Scope and Content Note: Purpose of meetings to accommodate wishes of majority.

REPRESENTATION ON SCHOOL CONSOLIDATION COMMITTEE
Scope and Content Note: Representatives from both city and rural areas.

OFFICE OF COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS ELIMINATED
Scope and Content Note: Because of new redistricting.

OPPONENTS OF MERGER
Scope and Content Note: Consolidation, like any change, blamed by some on socialism and communism. Sprecher involved simultaneously in cooperative mergers, so got double dose of nasty telephone calls. “Nobody put you on a pension plan, I'll tell you, unless it was at the end of a foot.”

NEIGHBORHOOD DIVIDED ON CONSOLIDATION
Scope and Content Note: Many of Sprecher's neighbors supported consolidation, but some, including splinter religious groups, opposed to change.

END TAPE 6, SIDE 2

INTRODUCTION

RELIGIOUS OPPOSITION TO SCHOOL CONSOLIDATION
Scope and Content Note: Recalls particular sect that didn't believe in high school education. Sect had strong leadership and was an influential minority; appeared first in 1920s and opposed community functions as well as unnecessary education.

PROBLEM OF SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION IN WINTER
Scope and Content Note: Children riding preferable to walking one and a half miles to the one-room school in winter. Concern about mixing elementary and high school children on bus.

COUNTRY CHILDREN PARTICIPATE IN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Scope and Content Note: Country children used to fear participation in athletics; became major participants after consolidation.

CONSOLIDATION FAVORABLE DESPITE TRANSPORTATION COST
Scope and Content Note: Cost of transportation doesn't outweigh advantages of con- solidation; insignificant cost if children's lives improved.

CHURCHES AND NATIONALITIES IN SPRECHER'S NEIGHBORHOOD
Scope and Content Note: Immediate neighborhood strictly German. Many religions: Protestant, Catholic, Lutheran, Evangelical (United Brethren Evangelical, now United Methodist). Formerly strong division between Protestants and Catholics to west and east of Sauk City; as a Protestant, Sprecher wouldn't mingle with them. In 1970s religious communities mix and cooperate; optimistic about ecumenicalism in community.

NEIGHBORHOOD CHURCHES
Scope and Content Note: Three churches, two of which closed. Recalls while a boy the transition from German to English-speaking services to attract young members.

NEW CHURCH BUILT IN SPRECHER'S NEIGHBORHOOD
Scope and Content Note: After two churches closed, members of the third (Evangelical) after many years of discussion, in 1949 decided to build new church. Sprecher on building committee; cost exceeded budget of $100,000; members pledged balance; and $40,000 paid off in seven-eight years.

CHURCH MEMBERSHIP AND ATTENDANCE AT EVANGELICAL CHURCH
Scope and Content Note: Church once had 325 members; reduced to 250 with weekly attendance of about 100. Traditional service needs to change to attract young people. Increase in intermarriage also decreases membership.

INCREASED PROPORTION OF CATHOLICS IN WITWEN AREA
Scope and Content Note: Catholics in area tend to have large families; children have bought farms owned formerly by Protestants.

CHANGING ROLE OF CHURCH
Scope and Content Note: “Church changing for the good” in terms of performance and attitude, despite dwindling attendance.

NEIGHBORHOOD GATHERINGS AT OLD COUNTRY STORE
Scope and Content Note: Men met in evenings at old country store at Witwen, sat around pot-bellied wood stove, held wide-ranging discussions, ate peanuts and bologna and drank pop. Some card-playing. Recalls vicious political arguments between stalwart and progressive Republicans.

BUTTERMILK AUCTION AT WITWEN
Scope and Content Note: Men gathered on first Monday of every month to bid on butter- milk. Auctions ceased when it became more profitable to feed buttermilk to people than to hogs.

WOMEN'S GATHERINGS
Scope and Content Note: Women met at church, in homemakers groups, and at one-room schoolhouse for meetings and children's events.

COUNTRY STORE CLOSES
Scope and Content Note: Country store closed about 1964; fell to competition of supermarkets in Sauk City and Madison.

WEEKLY FARMERS SHOPPING NIGHT IN SAUK CITY
Scope and Content Note: Saturday night used to be main shopping night; later switched to Friday.

SELLS EGGS AT COUNTRY STORE
Scope and Content Note: Used to barter eggs at country store; practice ceased when farm pick-up began.

DUCKS AND DICE
Scope and Content Note: Anecdote on how farmers would shake dice for ducks in country store.

MARKETING EGGS AND POULTRY
Scope and Content Note: Occasionally sold eggs and poultry in Sauk City.

NEIGHBORHOOD POLITICS
Scope and Content Note: Serious split between stalwart and progressive Republicans, and between supporters and non-supporters of Bill Evjue. Country store arguments often carried over to next day's threshing.

END TAPE 7, SIDE 1

INTRODUCTION

VISITS TO MADISON
Scope and Content Note: First visit to Madison via train; then and later visited state historical society, and later encouraged children to do so. Remembers excitement the first time he drove alone to Madison, and toured the Square.

CHANGING FUNCTION OF COUNTRY BANK
Scope and Content Note: Country bank much more concerned about farmers and agricultural loans than in past.

SPRECHER BECOMES BANK DIRECTOR
Scope and Content Note: Invited to join board of bank to help with loans for bulk milk coolers. Feels that Depression changed bankers attitudes in Prairie du Sac area; now ahead of Federal Land Bank office in making agricultural loans. Mentions meeting of bankers to determine how to help farmer in period of 1970s drought.

BRANCH BANKING
Scope and Content Note: Opposes branch banking because big city banks don't understand local situation. Local banks grant loans more on basis of character and management ability than on collateral.

BANK BOARD SEEKS FARMERS
Scope and Content Note: Eager to get farmers on board of directors.

PROBLEMS OF STARTING TO FARM IN
Scope and Content Note: Despite estimated initial cost of $200,000 for starting a farm, Sprecher feels it can be done but with just as much difficulty as in the past. Startup costs high, but higher returns for hard work.

MODERN LABOR-SAVING MACHINERY FAILS TO GIVE FARMER MORE FREE TIME
Scope and Content Note: Despite labor-saving machinery, farmers seem to have less time, perhaps because they seek greater variety of leisure activities. Less time to socialize with neighbors as they travel to cities for food and entertainment. More emphasis in past on family and neighborliness.

LIFE IN RETROSPECT
Scope and Content Note: Wishes he had gotten a better education, but still would become a dairy farmer, work for cooperatives, and participate in community affairs.

CONCLUDING REMARKS

END OF INTERVIEW