The Origins of Cooperative Extension—A Timeline

Agriculture was America’s central pursuit when this country was founded. Informal attempts at agricultural education were made by sharing information through agricultural societies and Farmers’ Institutes. The Morrill Act created a college for the industrial classes to include the study of agriculture; the Hatch Act established the research component to strengthen the science of agriculture. However, it was the leadership of Seaman Knapp who established the demonstration method that became the model of a national network of county agents, now called Cooperative Extension.

1862	1887	1902	1907-1910	1914
Morrill Act gave endowment for creation of land-grant schools. Organic Act created the United States Department of Agriculture.	Hatch Act created experiment stations for land-grant colleges.	Demonstration Farm established by Seaman Knapp.	Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs for teaching the latest agricultural practices.	Smith-Lever Act created the Cooperative Extension Service.