Extension service marks 100th birthday

Janet Schmidt, WSU extension agent for Whitman County, along with Sheri Hatley, office manager, served Ferdinand’s ice cream, a specially decorated cake and other refreshments May 15 in the Public Service Building at Colfax to celebrate the 100th year of WSU Extension service.

The Whitman County Extension Service also conducted a canned food drive for the local food bank and began collecting items for a time capsule.

A locally produced video on the local 4H program was offered for viewing by guests.

The Smith-Lever Act, which established the Cooperative Extension Service as a national network of educators who extend university-based research and knowledge to the people, was signed May 8, 1914.

A century ago, farm families faced a multitude of challenges and had few places to turn for help. Hungry for knowledge, thousands flocked to farmer’s institutes and demonstration trains staged by the Washington Experiment Station to hear about experiments at the state’s new land-grant college in Pullman.

In 1913, a year ahead of federal legislation authorizing the present extension system, the state authorized a Bureau of Farm Development headquartered at Washington State College in Pullman and provided for the appointment and maintenance of agricultural experts across the state.

By then, George A. Nelson, the first county extension worker, had been on the job for more than two months. Nelson was appointed as agriculturist for Wahkiakum County on Dec. 12, 1912. He was absorbed into the new bureau. Pioneer extension educators established a philosophy that’s still relevant today: “Helping farmers to help themselves.”

In Washington state, the Smith-Lever Act has stimulated research and vital educational programs for youth and adults on a wide range of topics including agriculture, gardening, economic development, parenting, nutrition, sustainable development and more.

WSU Extension provides non-credit education and degree opportunities to individuals throughout the state.