The Fight to Retain Benton County’s First Agriculturist

Lee M. Lampson, Benton county’s agriculturist, has been offered a similar position in a larger field. The fact that he is wanted for work in some larger and older county, is within itself, ample proof that he has made good in this county. It is likewise the very reason why he should be retained in Benton county. If he had not worked hard, had not developed and demonstrated his fitness he would not now be considering a call to go elsewhere, nor would it matter much if the farmers of the county did lose him. But he has made good, and the county cannot afford to lose him. True, Mr. Lampson might be replaced by another capable man and although he would have the benefit of Mr. Lampson’s two years' work, he would to a large degree have to start at the bottom of the ladder and work up. The acquaintance which Mr. Lampson has acquired, not alone with farm conditions, but with the farmers themselves, is one qualification which his successor, no matter how capable nor how well trained he might be, could bring into the work. A change in agriculturists cannot be made without materially retarding the work. The loss to the county in actual dollars and cents which must come with the change will far exceed the increase in funds necessary to keep Mr. Lampson on the job. If Mr. Lampson as a beginner in a new field is worth more money to the farmers of that community than he is now receiving, Mr. Lampson with two years’ experience to his credit is certainly worth that much to the farmers of this county. He is one of the county’s most valuable assets and we cannot afford to lose him.