Ag committees honor centennial of Cooperative Extension Service
March 05, 2014 | 06:09 PM
House Agriculture Horticulture, Research, Biotechnology and Foreign Agriculture Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga., and ranking member Rep. Kurt Schrader, D-Ore., have introduced a resolution celebrating the Smith-Lever Act of May 8, 1914, which established the Cooperative Extension System, the nationwide education system operating through land-grant colleges and universities in partnership with federal, state and local governments.
The resolution was introduced after a hearing on the co-op extension service Tuesday.
“The Smith-Lever Act of 1914 established an invaluable partnership through the national Cooperative Extension Service between land-grant colleges conducting research and the farmer who was able to apply that information to improve his farming system, thereby improving lives and leading our nation into an agricultural revolution,” Scott said in a news release.
“In my state, the Georgia Extension Services continue to serve as an essential resource for Georgians by providing research-based education in agriculture, the environment, communities, youth and families.”
“The public-private partnerships, community engagement, and cooperation between our land-grant universities and the agriculture community is second to none,” Schrader added. “In this era of growing budget constraints, I strongly believe this is an area where we should continue robust, leveraged federal investment.”
Today Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., and Senate Agriculture ranking member Thad Cochran, R-Miss., also introduced a resolution recognizing the significance of the Smith-Lever Act and honoring the university faculty and local educators who participate in it.
The resolution also thanks the volunteers “who promote excellence” for 4-H Clubs, the Master Gardeners program and other programs.
“As chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee and alum of the nation’s first land-grant college, Michigan State University, I will continue to encourage more collaboration between federal, state and local governments to maximize the benefits of the extension system,” Stabenow said.
“Farmers, ranchers and rural families benefit from the latest in technology and innovation through the Cooperative Extension System,” Cochran said. “The celebration of its 100th birthday should include a serious commitment to funding its research and educational activities.”
The resolution was introduced after a hearing on the co-op extension service Tuesday.
“The Smith-Lever Act of 1914 established an invaluable partnership through the national Cooperative Extension Service between land-grant colleges conducting research and the farmer who was able to apply that information to improve his farming system, thereby improving lives and leading our nation into an agricultural revolution,” Scott said in a news release.
“In my state, the Georgia Extension Services continue to serve as an essential resource for Georgians by providing research-based education in agriculture, the environment, communities, youth and families.”
“The public-private partnerships, community engagement, and cooperation between our land-grant universities and the agriculture community is second to none,” Schrader added. “In this era of growing budget constraints, I strongly believe this is an area where we should continue robust, leveraged federal investment.”
Today Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., and Senate Agriculture ranking member Thad Cochran, R-Miss., also introduced a resolution recognizing the significance of the Smith-Lever Act and honoring the university faculty and local educators who participate in it.
The resolution also thanks the volunteers “who promote excellence” for 4-H Clubs, the Master Gardeners program and other programs.
“As chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee and alum of the nation’s first land-grant college, Michigan State University, I will continue to encourage more collaboration between federal, state and local governments to maximize the benefits of the extension system,” Stabenow said.
“Farmers, ranchers and rural families benefit from the latest in technology and innovation through the Cooperative Extension System,” Cochran said. “The celebration of its 100th birthday should include a serious commitment to funding its research and educational activities.”
