Herald - Lantern - Dispatch 4 September '85 3

Farm Agent Looks Back , and Ahead

By TOM FLYNN COURT HOUSE - What importance does the irrigation methods of Israeli peach farmers have to John MacLeod? Why wasn't he too tickled about the path of the Garden State Parkway? And. in 1985. what good is it to know the average yield per acre of animal feed corn — in the 1700s? Well, in his 27 years, both as county senior agricultural and senior extension agent, those seemingly trivial facts have come in handy to MacLeod. He will no longer share that wealth with the 125 farmers of the county, though; he began his retirement last Friday. HE WILL BE TAKING that knowledge to his 12-acre farm in Belleplain. MacLeod said his successor as senior county agent will be named in early October by Dr. John Gerwick, state director of extension. In the meantime, agricultural agent Larry Newbold is handling farm duties, and Marion Olsen, home economics agent, is overseeing MacLeod's senior agent duties.

JOHN MACLEOD MacLeod's grasp of wildly varying data is not only impressive, but has proven useful in his work. It illustrates the wide range of information needed by farmers to plan for the most effective use of their fields. MACLEOD'S DESCRIPTION of the modern farmer differs greatly from the stereotypical hayseed, chewing on a blade of grass. He said that type has long been forced out of agriculture, victims of their own ineptitude. To

stay competitive, modern farms must be a combination of accountant, chemist, economist, historian, political scientist, soil conservationist, and more. A farmer must wear so many hats because a successful season depends on more than sun and rain, MacLeod said. In order to get maximum production out of each acre, farmers must study the optimum amount of fertilizer. Pesticides, and water from irrigation systems. Careful farmers ensure that a market exists for their crops, so they study national and global situations. Sometimes, the production of crops in another part of the world is as important as the production in another part of the county. MACLEOD SAID the purpose of the agricultural extension service is to inform farmers of new techniques, varieties and products. The county service is part of a chain that begins with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and continues through research work at land grant universities. Rutgers is the state landgrant institution. "What we try to do is to keep farming efficient, with the best techniques available, and to support public policy. I hope I've been able to do that," MacLeod said. MacLeod expressed his gratitude for the close working relationship he enjoyed with the county Board of Agriculture, an advisory group of farmers, and the county Extension

Advisory Council, a commission which encompasses all extension programs "I'M GRATEFUL that 1 got the chance to work with these people and to get citizen input. My work wouldn't have been as

meaningful without their input." he said. One thing MacLeod wasn't able to stop was the decline of farms in the county, which has become a nationwide problem When he began as county agent in 1958. ''MacLeod

estimated that 250 farms existed here Today, that number has been cut in half, due to consolidation and development. "It's been a source of great discouragement to me. It's part of a nationi Page 8 Please)

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