…Cooperative Extension Service. This initiative connected land-grant universities with local communities, enabling farmers and youth to receive research-based agricultural education. With this legislation, 4-H gained national recognition as part of…
How the Smith-Lever Act Created 4-H and Transformed Rural America
A Turning Point in Agricultural Education In 1914, the United States Congress passed the Smith-Lever Act, establishing the Cooperative Extension Service—a transformative program that reshaped how Americans learned about farming,…
E.T. York: Advancing American Agriculture Through Education and Leadership
…of those figures is E.T. York, a visionary leader who shaped agricultural progress through education, policy, and extension work. Born in 1922 in Alabama, York represents the power of leadership…
USDA Extension Service: A Legacy of Education and Support
…50 years before one of its most impactful programs came to life. With the passage of the Smith-Lever Act in 1914, the USDA Extension Service was officially created. This initiative…
California Agriculture: Don Cameron on Labor, Water, and Innovation
…Cameron noted that without reliable labor, food production in California—and by extension, the United States—would be significantly disrupted. Water Management and Sustainable Farming Water management was another major focus. Cameron…
History of Land-Grant Universities in U.S. Agriculture
…in developing agricultural research, teaching, and extension programs that continue to shape U.S. farming practices today. Not All Were Agricultural Schools While agriculture was the central focus for many land-grant…
Inside Hanford Dairy Life with Farmer Case Anker
…his operation has not been significantly affected. Supplying the Dairy Industry Through a Cooperative Case is a member of California Dairies, Inc., the largest dairy cooperative in the state. About…
Innovation and Ingenuity in the Desert: Yuma, Arizona’s Role in Feeding America
…instructor with the University of Arizona, and Robert Masson, a Cooperative Extension Agent in Yuma County. Don discusses how drones are transforming row crop scouting, plant health monitoring, and even…
New Survey Targets Farm Conservation Efforts
…programs for agricultural conservation Support conservation efforts that protect natural resources while also benefiting producers economically A Cooperative Conservation Effort The survey is being carried out through a cooperative agreement…
Tariffs Threaten North American Produce Trade
…high. The North American produce sector depends on predictable, tariff-free trade to keep fresh fruits and vegetables flowing across borders. By resolving trade disputes and reinforcing cooperative agreements, leaders can…
Farm Bankruptcy on the Rise Amid Economic Strain
…agricultural industry experienced before the COVID-19 pandemic. Ryan Loy, an extension economist with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, reports that 259 Chapter 12 bankruptcy filings occurred between…
New Tax Provision Eases Capital Gains Burden for Farmers
A recent reconciliation bill includes a provision that could offer meaningful relief to farmers facing large capital gains taxes. Kelly T. Wilfert, Extension Farm Management Specialist at the University of…
Five-Point Food Safety Plan for Meat and Poultry Unveiled
…ensure an even safer and more resilient food supply. Through enhanced testing, better training, cooperative partnerships, and stronger enforcement, the USDA’s five-point plan underscores a renewed commitment to protecting public…
Hilton Slams Solar on Farmland, Pledges Support for California Ag
…cooperative relationship with the federal government, citing personal connections with top cabinet officials. “When I take office, we’ll finally have a governor who works with D.C., not fights it on…