When working as a Master Gardener for the Cooperative Extension
Service at public events, I am amazed at how many people do not know about the rich,
untapped resource of their local county extension service. Some, like me have childhood memories of
mothers attending extension service club meetings, being involved in a local
4-H club, and extended family members entering lambs in the county fair. However, many do not realize the practical
information and the resources the Cooperative Extension Service provides and makes
available to the public through individual counties.
You may be
asking what exactly the extension service is and what resources it provides? Theinception of the United States Department of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service goes back more than 100 years. The Smith-Lever Act of 1914 established informal education for agriculture and rural businesses, thus creating an extension of learning through the land grant college system already set up in 1862, and fully funded in 1890. Land grant colleges were colleges of agriculture and mechanical arts set up by individual states from proceeds of land sales that the federal government made available in those states. For example, in Idaho, the land grant college was established in Moscow in 1889 and was named the University of Idaho. It was the only university in Idaho until 1963.
The
Smith-Lever Act extended research-based education from these land grant
colleges to the public in a more informal manner. Research-based information
and print material was made available to farmers and ranchers, consumers, and
families. Currently the U of I Cooperative Extension Service website
demonstrates the diversity of information dispersed by the lead caption which states;
"Growing the garden of
your dreams? Preserving foods safely? Learning sound financial practices? Practical
education you can trust."
The
Information Age has increased the variety of formats and venues in which
education is provided and information is accessed. Information is easily
accessed through print, digital, and electronic formats, as well as traditional
teaching methods. A variety interactive
and hands-on activities, teaching practical life skills are provided to youth
and adults alike. Many great websites are available on the Internet and
Facebook, including U of I Cooperative Extension website and individual county
extension websites. Programs are offered
to the public through the Master Gardener program, local community service
groups, 4-H clubs, and partnerships with
other state organizations, such as Idaho Fish and Game.
To learn
more about the Cooperative Extension Service in Idaho and to access information
please refer to the links below:
University of Idaho Cooperative
Extension Service:
https://www.uidaho.edu/extension
http://www.extension.uidaho.edu/links.asp
Canyon County Extension Service
https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/county/canyon
https://211idaho.communityos.org/zf/profile/program/id/846011
The USDA Cooperative Extension Service
https://nifa.usda.gov/extension
The Smith-Lever Act
https://nifa.usda.gov/history+