Agricultural Research Quotes
There were many new scientific agricultural techniques emerging but most farmers knew nothing about them. Garfield wanted the Federal Government to provide education, communications and technical assistance to farmers. However, that was a radical notion and many did not see that as a proper role of the Federal Government. The President gave the example of an early Federal role of establishing lighthouses to protect and assist mariners sailing along the American coasts. Most Americans had accepted helping the maritime industry. Why not assist agriculture? The subsequent Federal role in Agriculture was one of the major factors in making the American farmer the most productive in the world as new techniques would be communicated to farmers rapidly and implemented without much delay.
At the time the vast majority of Americans were farmers. That is the tradition and reality which caused the Department of Agriculture to become one of the most important cabinet departments. However, by the 21st century the Department of Agriculture had over 100,000 employees plus many more consultants and contractors. They had done their job so well that productivity eliminated the need for most of the farms. And the number of people earning the majority of their living as farmers is less than 1 million. So there are only 10 farmers for each employee of the Agriculture Department.
