FAIKSR, ALASKA _Dorothy M. Bell, Editor
Published every week at Palmer, Alaska for the Matanuska Valley Fanners’ Cooperating
Association for the pun ose of giving news of the ^s^^kfctvdns'Tork, Problems and
Accomplishments as well as News of genera ^dutetfestno the Valley.
SUBSCRIPTION RITE $1.75 per year 10£ a copy
IS OUR CO-OP TOO LARGE?
There has been during-the past year—propaganda set in circulation to the effect that
the M.V.F.C.A. has grown to be too large to be managed under one head. The object of
this propaganda is very obvious, if you stop to analize- the situation. Just how
sound is such an argument? Do the parties circulating it know anything about cooper
tives in the United States?
Our Co-op has around 150 voting and probntional members and does around a million
dollar business. How does this compare with Cooperatives elsewhere?
L. 3. Mann, Senior Agricultural Economist, Firm Credit 'dministration, makes this
statement: "Thile a certain amount of lone wolf spirit any be all right for the far
mer, too much independence can hold a co-op back from doing its best job." He then
goes on to discuss the ""ooling of Services" and points out how various co-ops in the
same vicinity can add to each others growth and efficiency by doing many things joint
ly. Mr. Mann says, "Then cooper tives first organized, it was natural and logical
fcr them to limit their activities to handling one or two commodities in the simplest
form.--Tithin the last 10 to 15 years marked changes have taken place in the scope of
their operations."
In Mille Lacs County, Minnesota, and adjacent territories, one co-op after another’
had been .organized for different needs. They cooperated as separate organizations,
but as they grew they found their services overlapping. After much effort and hard
work on the part of some of the leaders in this area, these co-ops were consolidated '
under one general head with offices in Milaca, Similar action was taken at Princeton,
Foley and Onamia, Minneota—all nearby comur.ity centers of .this area. The annual
meeting of the Milaca Co-d^ association held in Ftebru-ry of this year was attended by
over 700 persons. This is not the largest cooperative in Minnesota as Cloquet has
over 3000 members.
In 1935 when the coldy families' were brought into the Valley, the type of cooperative
proposed here was very unusual—but as tine goes on more Co-ops are merging under one
management. They ate doing this because they find it more efficient and a greater
seving. Therefore, when we entertain the idea of segregation, we are moving back
ward and'not forward. History has proven to us over and over that—in unity there is
strength. This Pan be applied to communities as well as nations.
"United we stand, but divided we fall," was not idly spoken.
A PARK FOR PALMER"
Soine of the residents of the Civic Center and employees of the Co-op have suggested
to the Editor of the Valley Settler th. t we band together and make a park in the
Community Center. The square just west of the General Offices and south of the
Garage has been suggested as a very desirable spot. This place has been used in the
pest for picnics and has some nice trees. Some of the employees have volunteered to
help improve this square by cutting out unsightly brush and perhaps planting a few
flowers here and there. This particular spot usually has a fairly good stand of
clover which makes a good start for a lawn. ~e have in Alaska a number of native
trees and shrubs which make good' landscaping mterial—as for instance the Elderberry,
Highbush cranberry, Silver berry, June berry and the Mountain Ash. There are also a
number of wild flowers which lend to transplanting well and could be used is th pro
posed park area.
Other suggestions which have been made are: the erection of an outdoor fireplace
and grill as well as pinhic tables and benches. Some'recepticle for disposing of
-arbage would probably aid in keeping the place clean.
Think it over. This would be a Civic Center Project which would add a great deal to
Fclmer. If everyone turned out to help during'the evenings once in awhile, it would
not mean a great deal of extra work for anyone.
Let’s beautify Palmer.