Rural Electrification Sources Behind the Story

	Source: The Minnesota Electric Farmer Vol. I No. IV - July 1938 The Minnesota Electric Farmer began publication in April of 1938. The monthly periodical professed a three-fold purpose: to increase the usage of existing REA power lines; to answer electrical questions and provide members with cooperative information; and to promote the best interests of rural electrification. By July 1938 the publication boasted a circulation of 8,000 subscribers and had become the official publication of the Minnesota Rural Electrification Association. By publicizing the advantages of farm electrification, The Minnesota Electric Farmer played an important educational role in the wiring of rural Minnesota.
	LEFT: These four photos accompanied an July 1938 Minnesota Electric Farmer article describing the electric technology of the Ness family farm near Litchfield, Minn. Because the Ness farm was an example of a wired farm utilizing the latest technology, it hosted many visits from REA members. The photo caption reads in part: "Top left you see Mr. Larson of the Meeker Co-op stringing line. Top right is a view of the kitchen showing the electric range and refrigerator. Lower - An electric separator and a pump."
J. Carmody Approves Electric Farmer "John Carmody, REA administrator and head of the rural electrification program in the United States has approved the MINNESOTA ELECTRIC FARMER, official publication of the Minnesota Rural Electrification, association, reports Irving J. Clinton, MERA president who recently returned from a conference with Administrator Carmody. "Mr. Clinton took along copies of the MINNESOTA ELECTRIC FARMER and showed them to Mr. Carmody who looked them over and said the publication was 'one of the finest things for the promotion of rural electrification,' that he had seen. "I can see where this publication can be used to great advantage by REA projects for the purpose of building load on the line," continued Aministrator Carmody. ... "The MINNESOTA ELECTRIC FARMER was started for a three-fold purpose: Build load on REA lines; keep REA members informed accurately on the operation of their cooperative as well as the activities of others and answer their electrical questions; Promote the best interests of rural electrification and protect it from deterimental legislation, false rumors and other injurious influences. "The publication, of which this is only the fourth issue, already has a circulation of 8,000 REA members, and is growing by leaps and bounds." --The Minnesota Electric Farmer, July 1938
Source of the Source: The Minnesota Electric Farmer. Vol I, No. IV; July, 1938; pp. 5, 7.
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