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There are several sources of information regarding the history of the Land Grant University, available to you on loan from the Staff Development library and you should be aware of the many on line resources such as the NASULGC, (National Association of State and Land Grant Universities) web site and USDA sites, such as the History of American Agriculture from 1776 to 1990. |
In 1862 the Morrill Act provided for at least one college in each state to be established where "the leading object shall be, without excluding other scientific or classical studies, to teach such branches as are related to agriculture and the mechanic arts".
In 1887 the Hatch Act allowed for the establishment of Agricultural Experiment Stations at one Land Grant College in each state. This is important because this act established agricultural research as a recognized function of the Land Grant University.
Farmer's Institutes became one of the primary means of disseminating research findings of the Experiment Stations to general audiences and Agriculture and Home Economics teaching faculty served as institute resource persons.
Demonstrations became the medium by which experiment station programs were delivered and the term "demonstration agents" was coined to identify personnel engaged in this effort.
In 1906, the first County Demonstration Agent , W. C. Stallings was hired in Texas.
Private finding spurred the spread of agent hirings and home demonstration agents were soon added to address topics of interest to homemakers.
In 1907, the first 4H club was organized in Mississippi.
In 1909, the 4H Cloverleaf was first used.
In 1911, the Cloverleaf was adopted as the 4H national emblem.
In the early 1900's extension work began to flourish and the single most important piece of legislation became law in 1914, the Smith-Lever Act.The Smith-Lever Act of 1914 provided for mutual cooperation of the United Sates department of Agriculture and Land grant colleges in conducting agricultural extension work; it specified that the work...."shall consist of instruction and practical demonstration in agriculture and home economics to persons not attending or resident in said colleges in the several communities, and imparting to such persons information on said subjects through field demonstrations, publications and other wise...."
| EXTENSION THROUGH THE YEARS | |
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| World War I Extension mobilized the war food production efforts while food production, preservation and clothing conservation projects were stressed. |
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| Farm depression of the 1920's Emphasis changed from production to economic concerns, farm efficiency and the quality of rural life. Extension ranks were thinner and emergency funds were gone; unable to hire professionals, extension called upon VOLUNTEERS which stimulated rural leadership development; extension was also active in helping farmers to organize cooperatives....many continue to operate today! |
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Great Depression
Farm Seed and Loan Program was organized and Extension was called upon to manage
it; farm families were drawn into active participation in county, state and national
public affairs; home economics programs were geared towards family self sufficiency
Post depression and the New Deal era
Extension became involved in the management of many Federal programs such as:
Agricultural Adjustment Administration, Soil Conservation Service, Rural Electrification
Program, Farmer's Home Administration
Extension became the single Federal agency having a direct educational link with
rural America.
Extension Today
As the nation's needs continue to change, cooperative extension's role has changed
to meet them and regardless of the labels given to extension programs, it is the
people served who are important. Extensions overall objective will be to continue
to plan, execute, deliver and evaluate learning programs consistent with locally
identified needs. Extension will help people acquire the understanding, capabilities,
attitudes and skills essential to solving farm, home and community problems.
Land Grant University Information