The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-07-17
Somerset County Agricultural News
What Ten Years Of Extension WORK
Has Done


Has Done
On May 8, 1914, legislative action to
establish a national system of ex-
tension work in agriculture and home
economics was completed by the sign
ing of the Smith-Lever Act by Presi-
dent Wilson. At the conclusion of
the tenth year of cooperation between
the Federal Government and the
States in the conduct Of extension
work 1t seems fitting to review BRIEF
ly what has been accomplished and
TO think for a moment of the future.
Although demonstration work had
been under way for some 10 years IN
the south under the leadership of DIR.
Seaman A. Knapp, and although yari-
Gus phases of extension work had de-
yeloped in the different sections of
the country. it was not until 1914 that
the movement took on a united co
operative national character. The
movement was given impetus by the
report of President Roosevelt's Coun-
try Life Commission in February,
1909. and soon thereafter bills pro-
viding for Federal aid to extension
work were introduced by Senator
bolivar of Iowa. and Representative
Mclaughlin OF Michigan. Other bfils
along similar lines were introduced
from time to time but all OF these
failed of passage until 1914, when,
under the leadership OF Hon. Hoke
Smith of Georgia, Chairman OF the
Senate Committee on Agriculture ana
Forestry, and Hon. A. F. Lever OF
South Carolina, Chairman Of the
House Committee on Agriculture, the
smith-Lever Act was finally passed.
The act is unique in Federal legis-
lation. 1t was the first of series
of Federal acts which provides def
nitely for cooperation between the
Federal and State governments in
carrying ON a common enterprise and
permitting participation by counties,
local governments, associations, and
individuals.
At the time of the passage OF the
Smith-Lever Act there were more
than 500 men agents and 200 women
agents engaged in demonstration
work in the south. More than 200
county agricultural agents also were
al work in several Of the northern
states. In the 10 years that have
passed. the number of men agents In
the United States has increased TO
1929. There are now 921 women
agents, and 1875 boys and girls club
agents. As the work progressed the
needs of the county extension work
ers for expert assistance in various
lines. such as dairying, crop produc-
ton, animal husbandry, nutrition, and
home management, became apparent.
There has now grown up stan OF
about 500 extension specialists in the
states. who aid the county workers In
formulating their programs OF work,
give special assistance in the prob
lens in their particular fields. and
otherwise supplement the extension
system. The county workers, spe-
cialists, and the administrative ana
supervisory forces make altogether
nearly $500 people who are now en-
gagged in carrying the gospel OF bet
ter and more profitable farming, and
healthier and happier homes to the
people of the United States.
The original appropriation under
the Smith-Iever Act was $4,000
with provision for annual increases
for eight years until the total reached
the sum of S4,5S0,000 In addition
to this amount, 81 100000 is now APP
propriated by the Congress on the
same basis as the Smith-Lever funds,
and further appropriation of about
$780, 900 is made for Farmers Co
operative demonstration work. This
makes the total Federal appropria-
ton $7,1S0,000 to which the states and
local agencies have added approx
mately 81 100000 so that now be-
o nd
annually devoted to extension actiyi-
ties. One of the greatest tributes
to the success of the movement is the
fact that during the past three years
of agricultural depression, while ex-
tension funds have not been material
ly increased, they have been main
tanned, and the losses in extension
workers due to discontinuance OF the
work in certain counties have been
more than made up by gains else