Slide 1 The office of Extension Service Phase II: 2.014 Gain Attention: Explain how Extension agents have many roles and many responsibilities. They are responsible for reaching out and bringing together people with similar interests and lives. They may be educating farmers on crop management; they may be developing programs on food safety; they may be demonstrating gardening techniques to use in arid regions. State Objectives: Upon completion of this lesson, you should be able to: Summarize the history of Texas AgriLife Extension Service Describe the legislative authority behind Extension Outline the current legal authority behind Extension Describe the role of county Extension agents Identify the funding sources of Extension Outline the major Extension programs Slide 2 Mission Improving the lives of people, businesses, and communities across Texas and beyond through high-quality, relevant education. Present Content: Stimulate participants by presenting the information in short segments (10 minutes each). Refer back to personal example provided during introduction when appropriate. Use visual or other aides to demonstrate ideas.
Mission All universities engage in research and teaching, but the nation's more than 100 land-grant colleges and universities, have a third critical mission extension. Extension means reaching out, and along with teaching and research land-grant institutions extend their resources, solving public needs with college or university resources through non-formal, non-credit programs. Slide 3 Objectives Summarize History Describe Legislative Authority Outline Current Legal Authority Role of County Extension Agents Funding Sources Extension Programs Slide 4 Legal Foundation for Land-Grant University System 1862 Morrill Act 1887 - Hatch Act 1890 - Second Morrill Act 1914 - Smith-Lever Act Original Land-Grant Act Land-Grant Universities Each State Research (Experiment Station) at Land-Grant Universities African-American Universities 18 Universities in Southern U.S. Cooperative Extension Services at Land-Grant Universities History The roots of U.S. agricultural extension go back to the early years of our country. There were agricultural societies and clubs after the American Revolution, and in 1810 came the first Farm Journal. It survived for only 2 years, but in 1819 John Stuart Skinner of Baltimore began publishing the American Farmer. Farmers were encouraged to report on their achievements and their methods of solving problems. Some worthwhile ideas, along with some utterly useless ones,
appeared on the pages of the publication. The Morrill Act of 1862 established land-grant universities to educate citizens in agriculture, home economics, mechanical arts, and other practical professions. Over seventy "land grant" colleges, as they came to be known, were established under the original Morrill Act; a second act in 1890 extended the land grant provisions to the sixteen southern states. In 1887, the Hatch Act established agricultural experiment stations in connection with the colleges/universities in each state. Extension was formalized in 1914, with the Smith-Lever Act. It established the partnership between the agricultural colleges and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide for cooperative agricultural extension work. At the heart of agricultural extension work, according to the Act, was: Developing practical applications of research knowledge. Giving instruction and practical demonstrations of existing or improved practices or technologies in agriculture. Smith-Lever mandated that the Federal Government (through USDA) provide each state with funds based on a population-related formula. Today, CSREES distributes these so-called formula funds annually. The extension service s first big test came during World War I, when it helped the nation meet its wartime needs by: Increasing wheat acreage significantly, from an average of 47 million acres annually in 1913 to 74 million in 1919. Helping the USDA implement its new authority to encourage farm production, marketing, and conserving of perishable products by canning, drying, and preserving. Helping to address war-related farm labor shortages at harvest time by organizing the Women s Land Army and the Boys Working Reserve. More generally, extension's role in WWI helped it expand its reputation as an educational entity to one that also emphasized service for individuals, organizations, and the Federal Government. During the Great Depression, state colleges and the USDA emphasized farm management for individual farmers. Extension agents taught farmers about marketing and helped farm groups organize both buying and selling cooperatives. At the same time, extension home economists taught farm women who traditionally maintained the household good nutrition, canning surplus foods, house gardening, home poultry production, home nursing, furniture refinishing, and sewing skills that helped many farm families survive the years of economic depression and drought. During World War II, the extension service again worked with farmers and their families, along with 4-H club members, to secure the production increases essential to the war effort. Each year for 5 years, total food production increased. In 1944, food production was 38 percent above the 1935-1939 average. The Victory Garden Program was one of the most popular programs in the war period, and extension agents developed programs to provide seed, fertilizer, and simple gardening tools for victory gardeners. An estimated 15 million families planted victory gardens in 1942, and in 1943
some 20 million victory gardens produced more than 40 percent of the vegetables grown for that year's fresh consumption. Between 1950 and 1997, the number of farms in the U.S. declined dramatically from 5.4 million to 1.9 million. Because the amount of farmland did not decrease as much as the number of farms, the remaining farms have a larger average acreage. During the same period, farm production increased from one farmer supporting the food needs of 15.5 persons in 1950 to one farmer supporting 100 persons in 1990. By 1997, one farmer supported the food needs of almost 140 U.S. citizens. That increased productivity, despite the decline in farm numbers, resulted from increased mechanization, commercial fertilizers, new hybrid seeds, and other technologies. Extension played an important role in extending these new technologies to U.S. farmers and ranchers. Slide 5 Legislation for Extension Programs 1964 Civil Rights Act (Unified Extension Service) 1969 House Bill No. 2, 61 st Legislature Created the V. G. Young Institute of County Government 1972 Rural Development Act, Title V (Community Resource Development) 1972 Farm Bill Authorized Federal Funds to support Extension Programs at 1890 Institutions 1964 Civil Rights Act The 1964 Civil Rights Act made racial discrimination in public places, such as theaters, restaurants and hotels, illegal. It also required employers to provide equal employment opportunities. Projects involving federal funds could now be cut off if there was evidence of discriminated based on color, race or national origin. The Civil Rights Act also attempted to deal with the problem of African Americans being denied the vote in the Deep South. The legislation stated that uniform standards must prevail for establishing the right to vote. Schooling to sixth grade constituted legal proof of literacy and the attorney general was given power to initiate legal action in any area where he found a pattern of resistance to the law. 1969 House Bill No. 2 General Appropriations Bill Appropriates nearly $5.9 billion for the biennium from September 1, 1969 to August 31, 1971. The Governor s veto reduced this amount by approximately $4.4 million
1972 Rural Development Act "The Congress commits itself to a sound balance between rural and urban America. The Congress considers this balance so essential to the peace, prosperity, and welfare of all our citizens that the highest priority must be given to the revitalization and development of rural areas. Congress hereby directs the heads of all executive departments and agencies of the Government to establish and maintain departmental policies and procedures giving first priority to the location of new offices and other facilities in rural areas as defined in the private business enterprise exception in section 1926(a)(7) of Title 7." The Rural Development Act of 1972 extended the 1966 "demonstration cities" program, a key element of the "Great Society" plan, to include rural development. The bill authorized $500 million per year for rural development loans, primarily to fund public works projects like firehouses, community centers, and landfills. 1972 Farm Bill Extension programs at 1890 schools currently function within guidelines established by the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977. Section 1444 of this act was considered to be the 1890 counterpart to the Smith-Lever Act. It originally provided that an amount equivalent to no less than 4 percent of the Smith-Lever Act appropriation would be appropriated under Section 1444 for the 1890 schools. Subsequent legislation enacted in the 1981 Farm Bill increased the percentage to not less than 6 percent and relates to all funds appropriated for Extension rather than restricting funds to only 3b and 3c of the Smith-Lever Act. Even prior to the passage of the 1977 Farm Bill, Congress saw fit to appropriate monies for specialized programs carried out by the 1890's but still under the auspices of the 1862 colleges and universities. For example, efforts focused on small farms enabled these schools to start what continue to be rather significant educational programs geared to the sustainability and survivability of small farms. There were also special programs funded in the area of youth as well as land ownership particularly for minority farmers. Slide 6 Current Legal Authority Section 43.031, Texas Agriculture Code
Section 43.031 Texas Agriculture Code 43.031. DEMONSTRATION WORK. The commissioners court of any county may establish and conduct cooperative demonstration work in agriculture and home economics in cooperation with Texas A & M University. Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 1096, ch. 388, 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1981. Slide 7 Member of The Texas A&M System TAES Statewide Educational Agency Part of Nationwide Cooperative Extension System Partnership Federal, State, and County Government Address Needs of Local Residents Specialist Support Member of TAMUS Extension is an educational organization provided by the U.S. government, the state government through Texas A&M University, and your county government. Extension serves every county in Texas, from the biggest to the smallest, with 250 offices and 1,400 personnel. People in each county decide what Extension should do for them and guide the planning and delivery of the programs. The information offered by Extension is provided by scientists and researchers at Texas A&M and other universities, and it is made practical and relevant by Extension educators, or agents, who work in each county, right where you live. Texas AgiLife Extension Service is a good example of a partnership between federal, state, and county governments. Extension staff and volunteers make a difference in people's lives every day, every week, throughout the year. Among the many good things about Texas AgriLife Extension Service is the fact that programming decisions are made by local people, not mandated from some remote place. There is grassroots involvement in all of their programs. Extension's greatest asset is the people. They have a statewide network of professional educators, or agents, and support staff serving every county in Texas. They live and work alongside the people they serve, offering unparalleled local knowledge, leadership, and connections in every community.
Extension s county faculty are supported by subject-matter specialists, located at their state headquarters in College Station and at district and regional centers across the state. They hold advanced degrees and have research expertise in a variety of disciplines, encompassing agriculture and natural resources, community development, family and consumer sciences, and youth development. Slide 8 Role of County Extension Agent Local Resident Educator Serving Youth and Adult Audiences Generalist Problem Solver Facilitator Role of Extension Agent The county Extension agent's primary role is to inform and teach. Agents provide information for local residents in workshops and seminars, at community events, through the media, and with a variety of information technology tools. An equally important part of the job is working with people. Agents work as a team with other agents in the county office. And they work extensively with committees of local residents to identify educational needs and with volunteers who help implement programs to meet those needs. They also cooperate with other agencies, businesses, school districts, community groups or organizations to jointly sponsor educational programs. Slide 9 Qualifications Masters Degree Required Conditional Employment with Bachelors Degree Contingent on Completing Masters Degree in 7 Years Individual Job Description for Each Position Performance Evaluations
Qualifications Master's degree in agriculture, family and consumer science, education, science/technology, or other field relevant to the mission of Extension is the basic requirement for most positions. Applicants with a Bachelor's degree will be considered based on their agreement to complete a Master's degree within seven years of employment. For applicants with a Bachelor's degree, four-year grade point average of 2.5 based on a 4.0 system, or 3.0 based on a 4.0 system for the last 2 years (approximately 60 hours) of college work. Desire to work with people of diverse backgrounds and to grow and develop as an Extension professional Ability to work independently and as a team member Character and personal traits that merit a position of public trust Ability to become an effective teacher of youth, and adults Professional appearance Vehicle for travel (required in most counties) Slide 10 Unique Network Unique Network Texas AgriLife Extension Service has a unique network of county offices, research and Extension centers, and academic departments.
Slide 11 County Extension Programs are Supported by Extension Specialists Trained in Agriculture and Human Sciences Linked to Texas A&M University (and other university) Faculty Provide the door to Texas A&M University System Extension Specialists The Statewide Extension Specialist has three major responsibilities in the State Extension System. The first is to synthesize, evaluate, integrate, and apply research information and expertise from within the land-grant university system in support and as an integral component of the educational programming activities of the Extension system. The second is to provide leadership for the county faculty, the department, and the Cooperative Extension System in the development, implementation, and evaluation of county, statewide, regional, national, and international Extension education programs relevant to the specific subject matter area of expertise. The third is scholarship. Extension specialists draw heavily on existing knowledge and contribute substantially to the knowledge base. Extension specialists generate new knowledge through studies, transmit new knowledge through educational and professional programs, and materially add to our knowledge base through electronic databases and publications. County faculty are supported by Extension specialists, located at the state headquarters in College Station and at district and regional centers across the state. They hold advanced degrees and have research expertise in a variety of disciplines, encompassing agriculture and natural resources, community development, family and consumer sciences, and youth development. Extension specialists are usually employed at a university, such as Texas A&M University. Their appointment can be partitioned between Extension education and applied research. The responsibility of an Extension specialist is to provide information and extend knowledge about their specialized field to help others who are participating in that particular field. Extension specialists have the following duties: Coordinate and participate in statewide educational programs Serve as a reference source for their specialized area Troubleshoot problems in their field Conduct research in their field
Extension specialists help connect the universities to the people. Since they are usually employed by universities, they have direct access to the university system, research experts and funding opportunities. They can use this opportunity to aid Extension agents at the grassroots level, helping to fund specific programs, bring in research experts for conferences and provide handson activities with the people themselves. Slide 12 Funding Source Partnerships The Texas AgriLife Extension Service is part of and supported by Texas A&M University, USDA and the County Commissioners Court in each county. Extension serves all 254 counties is Texas. Programs are guided by citizen advisory committees. So the county judge and commissioners as well as local residents have a vital interest in the local Extension program. USDA/CSREES The Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) is an agency within the U.S. Department of Agriculture, part of the Executive Branch of the Federal Government. Congress created CSREES through the 1994 Department Reorganization Act. CSREES is the federal partner in the Cooperative Extension System. It provides federal funding to the system and, through program leadership, helps the system identify and address current issues and problems.
Slide 13 Focusing on Rural Issues Rural Issues Preserve family farms Conserve water Maintain water quality Conserve wetlands Revegetate barren lands Control soil erosion Conserve rangelands Maximize crop and livestock production Educate on fertilizers, insecticides, etc. Texas Rural Partners Increasing coordination and cooperation between Federal, State, Local and private and nonprofit interests, resulting in improved service delivery. Creating an environment that encourages and rewards risk-taking and innovation in both the public and private sectors. Encouraging and supporting rural leadership capable of producing resourceful development strategies.
Slide 14 As well as Urban Issues Urban Extension Program The Texas AgriLife Extension Service educates Texans in the areas of agriculture, environmental stewardship, youth and adult life skills, human capital and leadership, and community economic development. Extension offers the knowledge resources of the land-grant university system to educate Texans for self-improvement, individual action and community problem solving. Texas AgriLife Extension is a statewide educational agency and a member of the Texas A&M University System (TAMUS) linked in a unique partnership with the nationwide Cooperative Extension System and Texas County governments. Through education, the Texas AgriLife Extension Service will: Enhance the productivity, profitability, sustainability, global competitiveness and job-generating capacity of Texas' agricultural industry. Improve the stewardship of the environment and Texas' natural resources. Promote, organize and educate citizen leadership and groups to resolve societal issues and concerns. Build individual and family capacity for self-help, problem prevention, stability and economic security. Help Texans take more responsibility for improving their health, safety, productivity and wellbeing. Promote the intellectual and social growth, responsibility, productivity and self-motivation of youths.
Slide 15 Focus on Extension Major Program Areas Agriculture and Natural Resources Family and Consumer Sciences 4-H and Youth Development Community Economic Development Major Program Areas Despite the sharp decline in the size and economic importance of rural America, the national Cooperative Extension System remains an important player in American life. It has adapted to changing times and landscapes, and it continues to address a wide range of human, plant, and animal needs in both urban and rural areas. Today, extension works in six major areas: 4-H Youth Development cultivates important life skills in youth that build character and assist them in making appropriate life and career choices. At-risk youth participate in school retention and enrichment programs. Youth learn science, math, social skills, and much more, through hands-on projects and activities. Agriculture research and educational programs help individuals learn new ways to produce income through alternative enterprises, improved marketing strategies, and management skills and help farmers and ranchers improve productivity through resource management, controlling crop pests, soil testing, livestock production practices, and marketing. Leadership Development trains extension professionals and volunteers to deliver programs in gardening, health and safety, family and consumer issues, and 4-H youth development and serve in leadership roles in the community. Natural Resources teaches landowners and homeowners how to use natural resources wisely and protect the environment with educational programs in water quality, timber management, composting, lawn waste management, and recycling. Family and Consumer Sciences helps families become resilient and healthy by teaching nutrition, food preparation skills, positive child care, family communication, financial management, and health care strategies. Community and Economic Development helps local governments investigate and create viable options for economic and community development, such as improved job creation and retention, small and medium-sized business development, effective and coordinated emergency response, solid waste disposal, tourism development, workforce education, and land use planning.
Slide 16 Importance of Volunteers Citizens Serve on Local Extension Planning Committees Expand Program Outreach Leverage Extension Resources Importance of Volunteers Across the state, more than 75,000 people volunteer in Extension programs. They extend Extension's educational opportunities into almost every neighborhood in their communities, helping their friends and neighbors to make things better. Volunteers who do the hard work and the "heart work" of educating youth and adults truly touch the future of our country. With the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, volunteers can put their knowledge and skills to work as part of the largest grassroots educational organization in Texas. Volunteers learn a lot, meet new people, and even have fun while they re helping their community. Extension offers programs in agriculture and natural resources, family and consumer sciences, 4-H and youth development, and community development, reaching rural and urban Texans with the education they need to improve their quality of life and to build a bright future for our state. Extension volunteers can lead activities, teach lessons, answer questions, and organize events. And along the way, they gain new skills, make new friends, and have fun, too! Volunteers help adults and kids learn about: Staying healthy Gardening for health and leisure Building strong families and relationships Managing money Getting ready for a job Reducing stress Keeping food safe to eat Smart shopping And much more!
Slide 17 Improving Lives. Improving Texas. With the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, you can help make your community and our state a better place to live. Slide 18 Review Summarize History Describe Legislative Authority Outline Current Legal Authority Role of County Extension Agents Funding Sources Extension Programs Guided Learning: Conduct a guided review of the information and encourage participants to summarize the information for the group List best-case scenario questions and answers, debate topics or other activities here. Summary The roots of U.S. agricultural extension go back to the early years of our country. There were agricultural societies and clubs after the American Revolution, and in 1810 came the first Farm Journal. It survived for only 2 years, but in 1819 John Stuart Skinner of Baltimore began publishing the American Farmer. Farmers were encouraged to report on their achievements and their methods of solving problems. Some worthwhile ideas, along with some utterly useless ones, appeared on the pages of the publication. The Morrill Act of 1862 established land-grant universities to educate citizens in agriculture, home economics, mechanical arts, and other practical professions. Over seventy "land grant" colleges, as they came to be known, were
established under the original Morrill Act; a second act in 1890 extended the land grant provisions to the sixteen southern states. In 1887, the Hatch Act established agricultural experiment stations in connection with the colleges/universities in each state. Extension was formalized in 1914, with the Smith-Lever Act. It established the partnership between the agricultural colleges and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide for cooperative agricultural extension work. Legislation surrounding Extension programs includes: 1964 Civil Rights Act 1969 House Bill No. 2 1972 Rural Development Act 1972 Farm Bill Current legal authority gives the commissioners court of any county the right to establish and conduct cooperative demonstration work in agriculture and home economics in cooperation with Texas A & M University. The county Extension agent's primary role is to inform and teach. Agents provide information for local residents in workshops and seminars, at community events, through the media, and with a variety of information technology tools. An equally important part of the job is working with people. Agents work as a team with other agents in the county office. And they work extensively with committees of local residents to identify educational needs and with volunteers who help implement programs to meet those needs. They also cooperate with other agencies, businesses, school districts, community groups or organizations to jointly sponsor educational programs. The Texas AgriLife Extension Service is part of and supported by Texas A&M University, USDA and the County Commissioners Court in each county. Extension serves all 254 counties is Texas. Programs are guided by citizen advisory committees. So the county judge and commissioners as well as local residents have a vital interest in the local Extension program. Extension continues to address a wide range of human, plant, and animal needs in both urban and rural areas. Today, extension works in six major areas: 4-H Youth Development cultivates important life skills in youth that build character and assist them in making appropriate life and career choices. At-risk youth participate in school retention and enrichment programs. Youth learn science, math, social skills, and much more, through hands-on projects and activities. Agriculture research and educational programs help individuals learn new ways to produce income through alternative enterprises, improved marketing strategies, and management skills and help farmers and ranchers improve productivity through resource management, controlling crop pests, soil testing, livestock production practices, and marketing. Leadership Development trains extension professionals and volunteers to deliver programs in gardening, health and safety, family and consumer issues, and 4-H youth development and serve in leadership roles in the community.
Natural Resources teaches landowners and homeowners how to use natural resources wisely and protect the environment with educational programs in water quality, timber management, composting, lawn waste management, and recycling. Family and Consumer Sciences helps families become resilient and healthy by teaching nutrition, food preparation skills, positive child care, family communication, financial management, and health care strategies. Community and Economic Development helps local governments investigate and create viable options for economic and community development, such as improved job creation and retention, small and medium-sized business development, effective and coordinated emergency response, solid waste disposal, tourism development, workforce education, and land use planning. Slide 19 Resources http://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/ http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/ https://agrilifebookstore.org/ http://county-tx.tamu.edu/ http://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/programs/agnr/ http://www.tamu.edu/ Resources to Encourage Retention: Provide participants with an outside assignment, additional reading materials, Web sites and contact information for subject experts Texas AgriLife Extension Service Texas 4-H Texas AgriLife Extension Bookstore Texas County Extension Offices Texas A&M Agriculture Texas A&M University