The document summarizes the history and role of land grant universities and their extension services in the United States, specifically focusing on LSU and the LSU AgCenter. It discusses how the Morrill Acts of 1862 and 1887 established land grant colleges and required them to conduct agricultural research. It then explains how the Smith-Lever Act of 1918 formalized cooperative extension to disseminate that research to the public. The rest of the document outlines the structure of the LSU AgCenter and roles of extension administrators, specialists, agents, and support staff in providing education-based programming to communities throughout Louisiana to improve lives.

1. The LSU AgCenter’s
Cooperative Extension Service
By
Dr. Rebecca White
LSU Ag Center

2. Once upon a time in America…
 1862 - States awarded land to
establish agriculture and
mechanical colleges
 1887 – Hatch Act – established
Agriculture Research Stations for
each state – tied to state land
grant institution
 LSU is Louisiana’s 1862 land grant
institution

3. Once upon a time in America…
 1918 – Smith-Lever
Extension Act passed –
tied to state land grant
institution
 1925-45 - Basic research
done in land-grant colleges
laid groundwork second
agricultural revolution in US
 1941 – Extension agents
working in every county in
US

4. Land Grant Universities and Extension
 All universities engage in
research and teaching
 Uniquely, all 100 land grant
universities in the US
engage in teaching,
research and extension
 Extension means “reaching
out” with the resources of the
land grant university

5. Extension’s role
 Extension “extends” the university
resources to solve public needs
through non-formal, non-credit
programs

6. LSU Ag Center
 Complex
 Multi-faceted
 State wide reach &
beyond
 One of 10 LSU
campuses

7. Brief LSU Ag Center History
 Separated from the LSU College of
Agriculture in 1972 and established
as LSU Ag Center
 Two-fold purpose
 Research
 Extension
 International Programs

9. The LSU Ag Center Partnership
 Research and
Extension faculty
have to work
hand-in-hand to
improve the lives
of Louisiana
citizens

10. Role of Research
 Create new
knowledge

11. Role of Extension
 Provide useful,
research-based
information to
citizens

12. LA Cooperative Extension Service
Mission
 To help the people of Louisiana
improve their lives through an
educational process which uses
research-based knowledge focused
on issues and needs.

13. Extension Facts and Characteristics
 Created by law  Broad field of work
 Agency of  Free to develop
government educational
 Cooperation - federal, programs based on
state & local needs
government  Variety of methods
 Values people more  Works with all
than things family members
 Voluntary  Promotes
volunteerism

14. Extension Facts and Characteristics
 No fixed  More practical
curriculum than theoretical
 No degrees or  Based on research
diplomas awarded  Promotes problem
 Informal solving
 Homes, farms &  Promotes
community sites knowledge gain
are classrooms and behavior
 Large audience change

15. How we serve Louisianians –
Extension Roles
 Statewide service
 State Specialists
 Administrators
 64 county locations
 Local Staff include
 Clerical Staff
 Parish Agents

16. Role of clerical staff. . .
 Refer Extension clients to
appropriate agents or specialists
 Answer phone
 1st to greet those who come to office
 Assist agents, specialists &
administrators with
 Educational materials
 Other office work

17. Role of Extension Agents
 Provide local leadership in
program area
 Provide local situation data
 Seek local input on
programming priorities
 Conduct educational
programs based on
identified needs and issues
 Prepare parish reports
 Public relations
 Respond to questions for
assistance

18. Role of Specialists . . .
 Provide state leadership in
area of expertise
 Provide state situational
data
 Develop educational
curriculums
 Provide in-service training
 Provide technical support
for agents
 Coordinate evaluations
 Prepare state program
reports
 Respond to requests for
information

19. Role of administrators . . .
 Provide organizational leadership in:
 Developing organizational objectives
 Policies and operating procedures
 Staffing
 Securing resources
 Overall organizational planning
 Educational program planning
 Reporting
 External public relations

20. The Heart of Extension
Education

21. My hope for our international visitors
 That you can see possibilities of our
Extension experience for you and
your country in a new light, in a
new way