Cranberry Red: A Novel

28. Promoting RFD

The several hundred former 4-H members in Ames County, their parents , and the volunteer leaders hadn’t yet fully understood the elimination of the long-standing 4-H program. The day after the article about RFD appeared in the Argus, phone calls began pouring into Ben Wesley’s office; he had been the professional in charge of 4-H programs in Ames County since an earlier budget cut had eliminated the former 4-H and youth agent position. Of course Brittani Stone, office manager, took the calls and knew little if anything about 4-H clubs, what they did, what they stood for, and their more than one-hundred-year history in the United States. “I’m sorry,” she said. “We have nothing to do with this 4-H program for kids. We work only with college-age students and adults interested in our programs. Our position is that educating young people is the role of parents, the schools, churches, and scout organizations.” The latter part she made up. The thick employee manual made no mention of working or not working with children. Callers wondered where they should turn. “I suggest you contact the local Girl Scout or Boy Scout office,” she would answer rather brusquely. She saw the calls as a nuisance and a distraction from what she considered more important work. “Do you have a number we can call?” “I don’t,” she would say and hang up. 114 Promoting RFD 28 115 Promoting RFD Ben Wesley was out of the office, on one of the many farm visits that Brittani had scheduled, so he didn’t have a chance to check his voice mail about the phone calls concerning 4-H, but he had read the notice in the Ames County Argus: A special meeting to discuss the organization of RFD clubs in Ames County will be held Thursday, August 6, at 7:00 p.m., in the community room of the Willow River Library. All young people ages eight to sixteen and their parents are invited. Refreshments will be served following this informational meeting. Henry Hopkins, executive director of RFD, will make a presentation and answer questions. Former 4-H members and their parents are especially invited to the meeting. The afternoon before the meeting, Ben ran into Joe Evans on the street. “Hi there, Ben. How you doin’?” Joe spoke in the slow, deliberate manner characteristic of him. “Doing okay. How’s that new crop of corn coming along?” Ben asked. He was remembering the advice he had given Joe when he visited his farm back in July, after the big hailstorm. “It’s comin’ right along; hot weather and rain really gave it a boost. Surprised how fast it’s growin’. Of course ground was pretty warm when I planted it. That sure makes a difference in germination time.” “You bet it does,” Ben answered. Ben hesitated to bring it up, but he did anyway. “Are we straight in that billing mistake the office made about my visit to your place?” “Yeah, finally it’s all taken care of. What’s going on in your new office anyway?” “Oh, the new girl has a bit to learn about farm folks. But she’s bright. She’ll learn.” Joe laughed. “Lot of that going around these days. Folks not understanding farmers, I mean.” “That’s for sure,” Ben agreed. “Say, did you see the notice in the Argus about that new RFD organization coming into Ames County?” “Yup. I saw it.” “What’s that all about?” “This new organization, the RFD, is apparently trying to step in and do what 4-H used to do.” “I think the family and I will attend the meeting, see what it’s all about. Kids would sure be disappointed if they couldn’t take their 4-H projects to the fair this year. By the way, will your new office be involved with RFD?” “Nope, not at all. I’m out of it. No work with school-age kids is Osborne’s rule.” Early August can be hot in Wisconsin, very hot. But no one complains much, leastwise farmers, for they know that they need hot weather to make a corn crop, to push the soybeans along, and to move the canning crops such as sweet corn, green beans, and cucumbers toward higher yields. By early August, the...