VALLEY SETTLER
Published every Friday at Palmer,
Alaska, by the Matanuska Valley
Farmer’s Cooperating Association
for the purpose of news of
the Association's work, problems,
accomplishments, and local news.
By-C.R. Rasmussen,
Subscription rates: Yearly
Local $1.00
By Mail 1.75
Single Copy .10
DELAY ENDANGERS FARM PROGRAM.’
Despite the need of information
on the subject, there has been no
official announcement of the policy
to be used by the c0encies that con
trol finance and land in the Matan
nska Valley, except conditions
under which some land may be rented
Soon no doubt, we farmers will be
usy frem morn until niLht, trying
o plant crops to be harvested this
i rill, no I armor has time then to
spend in the Civic Center trying to
find out whether he can cet his
farm plans approved, so that he can
get seed., repairs and supplies that
he will need to produce a crop.
The Mat anuska Valley has a short
season and it is necessary to tet •
started i s soon as the weather per
mits, with his farm operations.
We have lost seme part3 of our
crops, bee:use we could not ^et
them planted in time for them to
mature and avoid the fall snows.
There is somethin^ wr n^. when we
have to import hay and feed from
the states at the hifch prices we
have to pay for it, when land that
might be used ri0ht hero in the
Valley remains idle. There is a
question of Patriotism involved
here because we all know that for
every ton of stuff shipped to the
Valley, that mifeht be raised here,
that the Defense forces of the
Government will have to wait for
space to ship products needed for
ur armed forces in the Fighting
. me.
The Fditor contends, that a ton
of farm products raised in the
Valley for the Army, is worth two
tons of the same products raised
somewhere in the States. The cost
of food to our fi^htin^ forces
should not be fi0ured entirely on
the cost basis, but partly on th.e
availability to the places where
it is needed, at the ri^ht time and
in sufficient quantity. To allow
anyone to hinder a project that is
capable and willing to produce for
this purpose, Is unthinkable. Lets
wait until the war is won brfore
we allow forces that shoul'- Coop
erate, to hinder one another.
Elsewhere in the “Settler", you
will find an account of a battle
over who shall be encouraged to
prochxce, the small farmer cr the
bi0 outfit. There is no need for
us to en0ace in this controversy.
We are all of the small farmer
class.
First, we must know whether we
will be able to ^et additional
funds to enable us to plant more
and expand as wc are asked to do.
This is no longer a relief project
and it seems to the Editor that we
should be entitled to the same
terms and conditions as any other
farmer is permitted to enjoy.
How about the two hundred million
dollars that has been made rveil
able at for one year terms?
Why can't we ^et Farm Security
Funds when they are available to
other formers in Alaska?
If the increase in production
in farm products is os lor^o in the
next year as it has been ocah year
for the lost three years, we may
expect a ^ross business of at least
$200,000 this year, if all Cces
well. It will take a lot of money
to finance this business f-r/1 we
should know how much and under what
terms we will be able to ^ot it, so
that cur plans can be adjusted.
We hope that there will not be a
repetition of the conditions under
which we have been subjected in the
past. Let's find out just where
we stand, and whatever the out
come of our wishes are, let us •
know now]
Whatever the plans, even if they
seem inadequate and even unfair,
let each man swallow his pride and
produce to the best of his ability
for bis country. If each one does
the best that he can with t! e
things that he has to work vith,
regardless of their inadequacy,
then no one can blame him, if the
^cal that mitht have been attained,
is missed by a bi^ marfcin.
There is a tradition nmon0 true
sons of the soil that is stronger
than any obstacle that may cross
their path, c.nd that is to produce
and feed hungry mouths, regardless
of Political and Bureaucratic
policies and restrictions.
*
Word has just been received By Mrs.
France, of the marrla0e on February
twenty-first, of her son Miles to
Donna Durand,at Yuma, Arizona.