One hundred years of Extension

1963 - research farm 

The first county extension agent for Washington County was hired in 1912, more than one hundred years ago.  Then, from 1912 through 1917, county agents were placed in fifty-one counties around Pennsylvania, including all of the counties in the southwest corner of the state.  These activities were supported by the Smith-Lever Act, which was signed into law on May 8, 1914.  It established the cooperative extension system, directing federal, state, and county governments to partner with land-grant institutions, such as Penn State University, to translate and share scientific information with those who could put that knowledge to work on farms and in communities across the country.

How has the presence of Extension impacted you and your family over these past one hundred years?  There may be more impacts than you're aware of.  Programming has covered a wide array of topics and diverse audiences.  Here are just a few examples:

• County 4-H youth development programs
• On-farm workshops
• Master Gardener program
• Nutrition classes 
• Economic and community development programs
• Water quality research

Many impacts have been measured over the years, but many more impacts go beyond what will ever be captured on paper.

You can read more about the Centennial Celebration of Extension. There are many achievements to celebrate as we look back, though we also must be wise to evaluate how to effectively continue the work of Extension in the days ahead.  "As the extension system marks its centennial, its leaders acknowledge that it must continue to adapt and innovate in the face of such challenges as rising global food demand and hunger, natural and fiscal resource scarcity, and environmental risk."