One hundred years ago, Congress passed the Smith-Lever Act, expanding on the federal government’s partnership with the Land-Grant University System to create the Cooperative Extension System. This is 100 years of Extension making a positive impact in the lives of Americans.
Today, USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) partners with more than 100 land-grant universities in pursuit of openness, accessibility and service through Cooperative Extension. NIFA’s support of Extension allows these universities to take their science and knowledge to the local level – to the farmers, ranchers, families and consumers who need it most.
This year, NIFA is celebrating 100 years of Extension by acknowledging the people Extension helps the most – YOU! There are countless stories across the country of how this organization has contributed to the success of individual farmers and ranchers, families and youth. I can personally attest to this as Extension has played a role in my life since I joined 4-H in elementary school, worked for Extension during college at Iowa State University and now at NIFA.
Share your Extension story! Using Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or your blog, I invite you to help us share the important role Extension plays all across the country. Use the hashtag #Ext100Years and tweet it to us at @usda_nifa. Creativity is encouraged and we’ll share some of our favorites.
The successes of Extension in the past 100 years lay the groundwork for another 100 years of extending knowledge and changing lives.
