The Cooperative Extension Service system was created by the U.S. Congress because of concern for the education of the average citizen. In 1862 Congress passed the Morrill Act, which provided for a university in each state to provide education to citizens in agricultural and mechanical fields. These colleges are known today as "Land-Grant Universities." North Carolina has two land grant universities; NC State University in Raleigh and NC A&T State University in Greensboro.
Congress soon realized that to be effective, the educational function of land-grant universities needed to be supplemented with research capabilities. The Hatch Act was passed in 1887 to provide for the establishment of research farms where universities could conduct research into agricultural, mechanical, and related problems faced by rural citizens.
Congress passed the Smith Lever Act in 1914. This act provided for the establishment of the Cooperative Extension Service. As a result of the Smith Lever Act, there are now Extension offices in every county in North Carolina which serve to "extend" information which has been developed on campus and research stations across the state. Your local Extension center is a branch office of NC State University and NC A&T State University. Extension agents are considered university faculty, since their role is educational.
Consumer Horticulture
Program
In order to more adequately support the educational needs of home gardeners
(consumers), North Carolina Coopearative Extension created (1996) the
consumer horticulture program housed in the Horticultural Science Department.
The consumer horticulture program includes an Extension specialist and
a state Master Gardener Coordinator.
NCDA&CS
North Carolina has 15 research station across the state. Most are owned
and managed by the North Carolina
Department of Agricultural and Consumer Services. Several field labs
are owned and managed by NC State University. Some units have Extension
personel housed on site. The research performed on all the stations (farms)
is conducted by NC State University staff.
NCDA&CS a is not a part of
North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service. It is a sister state government
agency that primarily deals with regulatory issues. NCDA&CS handles pesticide
licenses, and the enforcement of pesticide laws. They are involved with
marketing and promotion of agricultural commodities.