State and federal funds pay 100 percent of salaries for campus-based faculty and staff who work with and support county educational programs. The University provides bulletins, postage, educational materials, satellite downlinks, computer technology and professional improvement training, as well as program support and assistance for campus-based faculty. State and federal funds also support approximately 60 percent of salaries for county faculty and staff positions. Federal Partner U.S. Department of Agriculture funds that support county and campus Extension educators are defined in the Smith-Lever Act of 1914, which provides federal support for land grant institutions to offer education programs to enhance the application of useful and practical information beyond their campuses through Cooperative Extension efforts with state and local communities. A majority of Smith-Lever funds are distributed to states on a formula basis and, in Wisconsin, they provide a crucial component to the partnership that funds local extension programs.
Some funds are also available on a competitive grant basis or earmarked for specific institutions.
Smith-Lever funds account for about 25 percent of the Cooperative Extension budget. All rights reserved. By navigating beyond this page, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy .