Cooperative Extension System is a nationwide educational network in the United States. It is funded by federal, state, and county governments and by private contributions. The system gives instruction and information to individuals and local communities about agriculture, natural resources, nutrition, child care, health care, and the development of community resources. It also includes such youth programs as 4-H and provides problem-solving assistance to local communities.
The federal arm of the Cooperative Extension System is the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). NIFA coordinates thousands of county extension offices, and one or more land-grant universities in each of the 50 states (see Land-grant university). NIFA links research and education programs of the USDA with those of land-grant universities and other institutions. It promotes education and research in the food and agricultural sciences, environmental sciences, and related fields.
Almost every county and many major cities in the United States have at least one extension office. Each office is staffed by one or more extension agents. Volunteers work with the agents. Specialists and researchers at the land-grant universities support the efforts of the extension offices.
The Cooperative Extension System was established in 1914 by the Smith-Lever Act. The first land-grant universities had been endowed under the Morrill Act of 1862.
See also Agricultural education (Colleges and universities); County agricultural extension agent; 4-H.
