The North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, along with similar Extension Services in 49 other states, has just celebrated its 90th anniversary. Governor Easley issued a proclamation proclaiming May 8, 2004, as the "Ninetieth Anniversary of the Smith-Lever Act and North Carolina Cooperative Extension." The Robeson County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service is proud to be a part of this celebration.

The land-grant colleges of our nation were first established during the Civil War. In 1862 Senator Justin Morrill of Vermont introduced a bill into Congress that provided for 30,000 acres of public land, or land grants, to be issued to each state in the nation for the establishment of public colleges. These colleges were to teach agriculture and manufacturing. President Abraham Lincoln signed the Morrill Act making it official.

As additional states joined our nation after 1862, they were provided similar land grants for the establishment of similar colleges in their states. In 1890, the Second Morrill Act was passed by Congress that provided additional parcels of public lands to the 18 southern states for the establishment of agricultural and manufacturing colleges for minorities.

In North Carolina, North Carolina State University in Raleigh is the land-grant institution that was established by the Morrill Act. North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro is the institution that was established by the Second Morrill Act. There are similar land-grant institutions in every other state in our nation.

The reason for the establishment of land-grant colleges is that prior to the Civil War the only colleges and universities in our nation taught subjects such as law, medicine, philosophy, journalism, music, and liberal arts. Only the very wealthy could afford to go to college. However, agricultural and manufacturing were the major segments of our economy, and the vast majority of our population were involved in professions related to these fields. Very little was being done to develop advancements in these fields, and few people with interest in these areas could afford to go to college.

As these land-grant colleges became established, and research facilities developed to support these colleges, more and more people began to take advantage of the opportunity for advanced education and training in the fields of agriculture and manufacturing. Many of the more skilled and highly trained professionals became the instructors and professors in these colleges.

By the turn of the century, it became apparent that much of the knowledge and information that was being developed in these colleges was not getting to the people out in the smaller communities that really needed it. There was no effective way to share information with farmers about new varieties, better production practices, and the tools and equipment that was being developed to make farming more efficient. There was no effective way to share research information with factories about manufacturing processes and new machinery.

In 1914 Senator Hoke Smith from Georgia and Representative A. F. Lever from South Carolina introduced a bill into Congress that provided a way for research-based information related to agriculture and mechanical arts to be extended into the various communities of our nation. On May 8 the Smith-Lever Act was signed by Congress. This act established the Agricultural Extension Service as a joint effort between the federal government (USDA), state government (NCSU and A&TSU), and local government (county commissioners) to provide a local office in each county in the nation that would serve as a field office of the land-grant college system of that state

The purpose of these county offices was to extend the land-grant colleges into every community. Originally, the primary mission of these local offices was to work with farmers and farm families to improve the quality of their lives and to enhance the food and fiber production system of our nation, thus, the name, the Agricultural Extension Service.

Over the years our society has changed. There are fewer and fewer people involved in production agriculture and agribusiness, but the issues they face relative to agriculture, natural resources, and the environment have increased drastically. In addition, many nonfarmers living in rural areas, rural communities, consumers, and those living in highly populated urban areas are facing many issues that can be effectively addressed by the research and technology that is being developed throughout the land-grant college system of our nation.

Because of this, in 1992 the name of this organization was changed to the Cooperative Extension Service to better reflect that this agency is a cooperative effort of federal, state, and county governments to extend the land-grant college system into every community of the nation. This name also implies that this agency works cooperatively with other agencies, public and private groups, and individuals to help them put researched-based information to work to improve the quality of their lives.

The staff of the Robeson County Extension Center is working in the areas of:

• Enhancing Agriculture, Forest, and Food Systems
• Developing Responsible Youth
• Strengthening and Sustaining Families
• Conserving and Improving the Environment and Natural Resources
• Building Quality Communities.

When you walk into our office, the first thing you see is a sign that says, "We bring the universities to you." For the past 90 years we have been working for you. Call us at 910-671-3276 and let us know how we can better help you and your family.

E-mail address: Everett_Davis@ncsu.edu

Mailing Address:
P. O. Box 2280
Lumberton, NC 28359-2280

Phone: 910-671-3276
Fax: 910-671-6278

Date Created 5/21/04