Interview with Charles H. Gulley, October 22, 1991

Partial Transcript: This is an oral history interview with Charles Gulley for the University of Kentucky Library.

Segment Synopsis: Gulley begins by giving a brief description of his military experience in World War II. He describes the family farm that he grew up on and the profitability of their hemp and tobacco production after the war. He goes on to describe the marijuana aspect of hemp in his community in regards to narcotics hospitals, addiction, and the distinction between hemp and marijuana. Gulley recounts his college education, post-war work experience and the hemp production during that time.

Keywords: Educational programs; Hemp; Marijuana; Military experiences; Narcotics hospitals; Processing plants; Seed production; Tobacco; War effort

Subjects: Agriculture.; Crops; Family farms.; Farm life--Kentucky; Hemp farmers; Hemp industry--Kentucky; Traditional farming; University of Kentucky; World War, 1939-1945

Partial Transcript: Now what was the, the general state of farming in, in Kentucky after, after the war there was--

Segment Synopsis: Gulley describes the ups and downs of farm life, as well as the livestock enterprise in Fayette County, Kentucky. He describes a time in which flocks of sheep were not uncommon but as time progressed, issues such as parasites and predators made the endeavor less profitable. He goes on to discuss the effect of hemp root parasites on tobacco and farmer's attitudes. Gulley moves on to describe hemp production as a side business in relation to more profitable cash crops.

Keywords: Corn; Family farms; Fayette County (Ky.); Industry housing; Inflation; Livestock; Parasites; Small grains; Tobacco

Subjects: Agriculture.; Crops; Family farms.; Farm life--Kentucky; Hemp farmers; Hemp industry--Kentucky; Traditional farming; World War, 1939-1945

Partial Transcript: How involved do small farmers who are making decisions, how involved were the farmers in establishing policies or deciding what to do or the county agents, uh--

Segment Synopsis: Gulley describes how agricultural leaders decide the type of programs that should be promoted and the work that the extension agents need to do within their county. He explains the strong relationship between the government agencies, the extension agents and the agricultural leaders; although, Gulley goes on to express an instance in which there was some friction over whether independent groups should be integrated into the extension programs.

Keywords: Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS); Agricultural community; Agricultural extension agents; Crop fertility; Educational programs; Farm Service Agency; Farm machinery

Subjects: Agriculture.; Crops; Family farms.; Farm life--Kentucky; Government programs; Kentucky Farm Bureau; Traditional farming

Partial Transcript: Your job as county agent, uh, wh-what would be some of your daily, or weekly, monthly activities?

Segment Synopsis: Gulley describes the daily workings of extension agents, which includes solving basic farming problems and setting up educational programs that fit the county's needs. He goes on to express that the farmers of Fayette County had a primarily progressive attitude towards innovation. He utilizes his own farm experience to describe the history of mechanization and goes on to describe the extension agents' promotion of insecticides, pesticides and other forms of agricultural innovation.

Keywords: Agricultural community; Agricultural innovation; Educational programs; Fayette County (Ky.); Fertility problems; Fertilizers; Insecticides; Livestock; Mechanization; Pesticides; Tobacco presses

Subjects: Agriculture.; Crops; Family farms; Family farms.; Farm equipment; Farm life--Kentucky; Farm mechanization; Government programs; Traditional farming

Partial Transcript: Just shifting gears here, w--with the marijuana that's now grown in, in Kentucky, especially in the Daniel Boone National Forest, were you involved ever in your ten years county agent in any of this eradication and how did you go about it?

Segment Synopsis: Gulley discusses the government's movement to eradicate hemp and marijuana in the 1960s, as well as the extension service's development of educational programs aimed at identification and eradication.

Keywords: Daniel Boone National Forest; Educational programs; Hemp; Hemp eradication; Hemp identification; Herbicides; Marijuana; Rainbow herbicides; United States Treasury Department; Vietnam War

Subjects: Agriculture.; Crops; Family farms.; Farm life--Kentucky; Government programs; Hemp farmers; Traditional farming

Partial Transcript: Now when did you retire from your position as county agent?

Segment Synopsis: Gulley describes the agricultural trends during his time as an extension agent. He explains how fertilizer influenced tobacco control programs and the way farmers reacted to cuts in acreage. He goes on to discuss the economic situation of farmers in regard to the money they made from production and the increasing value of their land due to inflation.

Keywords: Agricultural economics; Agricultural trends; Control programs; Educational programs; Estates; Fertilizers; Inflation; Tobacco

Subjects: Agriculture.; Crops; Family farms; Family farms.; Farm life--Kentucky; Traditional farming; University of Kentucky