Agricultural News
OSU President Burns Hargis Commends Cooperative Extension on its 100th Birthday
Thu, 23 Jan 2014 05:18:01 CST
The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service (OCES) is kicking off its celebration of 100 years of extending knowledge and changing lives of Oklahomans. At the annual Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service Conference which brings Extension professionals in from all 77 counties to the campus of Oklahoma State University, OSU President Burns Hargis signed a proclaimation Wednesday to recognize the achivements of extension over the past century. You can read the full text of the Proclaimation- click on the PDF link at the bottom of this story- and Farm Director Ron Hays talked with Hargis about the 100 years of extension and what that means to Land Grant colleges like OSU- click on the LISTEN BAR below to hear that conversation.
OCES will mark its birthday with a variety of county and statewide events leading up to and through the spring anniversary date, including a feature-length documentary set to premiere May 8 on OETA-TV.
"Extension's mission is to harness all the research and know-how of land-grant institutions like Oklahoma State University and use it to help Oklahomans live the best lives possible," said James Trapp, associate director of OCES. "We're proud of our history of putting that mission into action in Oklahoma." OCES operates offices in all 77 Oklahoma counties and provides programming and information on a wide range of topics such as lawn and gardening, health and nutrition, home and family, crops, personal and family finances, community development, and animal science.
Most OCES resources and activities, including a database of more than 5,000 downloadable, research-based fact sheets (www.osufacts.okstate.edu), are free or low-cost for participants.
"Whether you are an agricultural producer striving to keep up with new technology and the markets, or a citizen needing help identifying a plant in your yard, wanting to learn how to safely operate an ATV or needing guidance on setting up a household budget, these are just a few of the areas where Extension can serve as a resource for Oklahomans," Trapp said.
The Smith-Lever Act formally established the national Cooperative Extension Service May 8, 1914. The legislation created a unique partnership between county, state and federal governments, and provides funding through land-grant schools to expand vocational, agricultural, and home and family programs beyond the university.
"For 100 years, Extension educators and specialists have worked one-on-one, side-by-side with Oklahomans to solve local issues and assist families with everyday challenges," Trapp said. "For us, it's personal. It always has been and it always will be."
In Oklahoma, OSU and Langston University engage in Extension outreach activities.
07264_Extension100YearsHargisProclamation.pdf
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