SEGMENT: EDUCATION, HAZARDS, & AGRO-CHEMICALS

Milton Lambert>NIU Collection>NIU Collection, Segment 13

SEGMENT: EDUCATION, HAZARDS, & AGRO-CHEMICALS,

duration 09:42
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CONTINUING EDUCATION
Milton tells about the mechanical and agriculture courses he has taken at University of Illinois & at local high school. Does this during the winter. Took a variety of courses, they were helpful.
HAZARDS
Farming is a dangerous profession, though it's gotten safer with government regulations and guards on equipment. Milton recounts the dangers of the farm equipment/amputations. Also talks about the dangers that animals like bulls and horses present.
LAND ACQUISITION
Milton recalls it was difficult to obtain his farm, sacrificed new clothing and entertainment. Comments on liking the farm life, why that's important. Made money and investments after he got his farm paid for.
AGRO-CHEMICALS
Milton recalls using manure only for fertilizer in early days, no bug chemicals. Later, commercial fertilizers, limestone, insecticides, fungicides came along. Used chemicals to off-set cost of labor. Profits of crops went up noticeably. Recalls nitrogen being dangerous, starting to have run-off problems with chemicals today. Notes the work going on to research that problem.
CROPS
When Milton started farming and hybrid seed corn came out, he noticed quite an increase in his yields. Besides the seeds the limestone and chemical contributed to those steady yield increases.
GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS
Milton didn't participate in the programs too much. Fed livestock with their own grain, so raised all they could. Comments on how the programs did work for some people.