UC Cooperative Extension Mission

Cooperative Extension was established by Congress with the Smith-Lever Act of 1914. Stanislaus County's Extension Service dates back to June 15, 1915, when the first farm advisor was appointed. Cooperative Extension in Stanislaus County is part of a nationwide system of off-campus education that brings the resources of the U. S. Department of Agriculture, the University of California, and the county government to the community. Cooperative Extension provides information regarding the application of scientific discovery, continuing to bridge the gap as the scientific community develops exciting new information in a host of agriculturally related disciplines. Our program is a three-way partnership reflecting the combined interests of the County Board of Supervisors, the University of California, and the U. S. Department of Agriculture. The federal contribution, in terms of funding has averaged 18 percent, state 66 percent, county 12 percent, and gifts and grants 4 percent. The county support is much more important than the funding alone. It is the partnership, commitment, and support of our program in many ways that has made it possible for us to bring our programs to Stanislaus County for 85 continuous years. Cooperative Extension's mission is to bring research-based knowledge to the people of Stanislaus County to help them make sound decisions, solve their problems and improve their economic well-being and quality of life. Our mission and the assistance we provide is related to four general areas: Agriculture and Natural Resources, 4-H Youth, Home Economics and Community Resource Development. The Cooperative Extension staff in Stanislaus County is specifically tailored for the County and consists of 10 academic advisors headquartered in this office. An area soils and water specialist, an area integrated pest management advisor and an area turkey advisor are headquartered in neighboring counties with assignments that include Stanislaus County. Extension's delivery system is through these highly trained farm, home and youth advisors supported by a statewide staff of Extension Specialists, University of California faculty and USDA specialists. We carry out our mission in two major ways: problem solution (applied research) and disseminating information (education). We accomplish the former mainly through field trials with farmers; the latter via meetings, publications, phone calls, office visits, on-farm consultations, television and radio programs, newsletters and articles in newspapers and magazines. Our goal is to continue to address local problems utilizing the above methods.