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Randolph’s Future Farmers

As agricultural students with the FFA [Future Farmers of America], we went out into community centers, like country stores, promoting and explaining to our parents and other land-owning farmers the controversial government program called REA [Rural Electrification Administration].

As WWII clouds gathered, many of our group became successful farmers in that effort. Others took jobs in defense factories while others served in the military. However, when the war ended and we settled back into civilian life, we found those pre-war efforts paid off and REA was well on its way to bringing electricity to rural America.

R. K. “Buck” Hammond and I were two of many who changed vocations at this time. We became a two-man electrical company extending REA power into old existing farm homes and their allied buildings for several years in Randolph and surrounding counties. We have fond memories of working with line foremen, engineers, and administrative staff. The two-man company prospered alongside the REA for 60 years, closing its doors as Electrical Contr’s of Asheboro, Inc.

Herman Bolton, Asheboro, Randolph EMC

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