He sponsored and championed early legislation which eventually resulted in the passing of the federal Smith-Lever Act establishing the Cooperative Extension Service in 1914. Butterfield was an outspoken advocate for university programs which reached beyond the campus to serve the citizens of the Commonwealth and the nation. Although the focus was on agricultural education at the turn of the century, many of the lessons from his speech and his time have relevance in today's public university. Butterfield makes a strong statement on what Chancellor Scott calls internal and external connectivity when he speaks about the need for linkages between the university and the off-campus community, and the connection between teaching, research and extension. The college should unify them into one comprehensive scheme.
None can do the work of the other.
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