USU EXTENSION CELEBRATES 100 YEARS
March 6, 2007
Writer: Julene Reese, 435-797-0810
Contact: Mike Whitesides, 435-760-2959
UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION CELEBRATES 100 YEARS
LOGAN — Utah State University Extension marks its 100 year anniversary this year, and is as vital and vibrant today as it was in 1907.
“We are excited to celebrate 100 years in Extension,” said Noelle Cockett, vice president and dean for Extension and Agriculture. “Extension is as relevant as ever, and perhaps even more so, due to the increased diversity and complexity of the issues people face. The Cooperative Extension system has a longstanding tradition of extending the University to improve the quality of life for individuals, families and communities.”
Information from university archives states that extension work was underway by 1907 to take information from what was then known as the Agricultural College of Utah to the people around the state. This was done under the direction of Louis A. Merrill. That year is considered the official beginning of extension work in Utah. In 1913, Congress appropriated funding for a national Extension program at Land-Grant Colleges and E. G. Peterson was named director of the Extension Division. By 1907, three “arms” of the college were in place in Utah with teaching, research (Experiment Station) and diffusion/outreach (Extension). In 1914, the Extension Service was implemented nationwide.
According to Scott Boyer, executive director of Extension marketing and communications, many activities and promotional items will commemorate the centennial celebration throughout the year.
A centennial logo was created, and a new flavor of Aggie ice cream, Blue Ribbon Raspberry Crème, was produced, said Boyer. In addition, the Extension communications team recently released a 64-page centennial publication both online and in hard copy that intermingles Extension history and pictures with today’s programs. The online version can be seen at http://extension.usu.edu/100years and hard copy versions are available in county Extension offices throughout the state.
The Extension annual planning and professional development conference, held March 6-8 on the USU campus, focused on the centennial, and included speakers, break out sessions, employee recognition and awards. Items for a time capsule, made of representative materials from every county in the state, were gathered at the conference.
For further information about the year-long Extension centennial celebration, contact Mike Whitesides at 435-760-2959.
