Agricultural Hall of Fame - MANLY GLENWOOD MANN

MANLY GLENWOOD MANN
June 6, 1889 - April 28, 1958

One of six children, M. G. Mann was born June 6, 1889 in the small town of Newport, North Carolina, where his father farmed and operated a general store. He used to say that he was literally raised in a Carteret County cotton patch, and during his entire lifetime, he never lost his love for or his interest in the crop.

He received his education in public schools of the county and at King's Business College in Raleigh. Except for a brief period with the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad in Wilmington, he devoted his entire life and energies to farmers and their interests.

In 1914 he left the railroad to become assistant bookkeeper of a bank in Tarboro. Here he began his close ties with farm people which later brought him such a distinguished career. He started calf and sheep clubs for farm youngsters, and he helped farmers in every way he could to gain a greater measure of economic freedom.

He was promoted to bank vice president in 1921, but left this promising career in 1926 to become director of field services for a struggling young organization known as the N.C. Cotton Growers Cooperative Association.

In this capacity, he began a new career that would bring him respect and recognition not only in his home state but far beyond its borders. He preached with evangelistic zeal the adventures of cooperation where he went, and his reputation as a dynamic speaker grew larger each year.

He became general manager of the Cotton Association in 1934, and he was named to the same position of the newly organized Farmers Cooperative Exchange that same year. He headed both cooperatives until his death, and both grew to institutional stature under his leadership.

His contributions to the advancement of agriculture were significant. He encouraged the use of approved practices, better quality farm supplies, better markets for farm products, more cooperation with the college and agricultural agencies and improved credit sources.

He inspired people. His enthusiasm and zeal were his trademark. He made people see his vision. He game them the will to raise their eyes to new horizons and greater promise. He built people as he built the organizations he headed. The honors he received were almost endless.

Agriculture in general and cooperatives in particular are better today because he lived among us.

Elected to the North Carolina
AGRICULTURAL HALL OF FAME
1978