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Montana State University (MSU): The Extension Program is a fundamental part of the Montana State University’s land grant mission, developed to ensure that all Montanans benefit from the University.
Public Access: The program extends university knowledge to the people who need need it, even if they never set foot on a campus. It gives every Montana access to useful information and expert help via workshops, demonstrations, community meetings, publications, videos, the Internet and other sources.
Education Outreach: Extension links a network of MSU faculty - topic specialist on the MSU-Bozeman campus and agents in every county and reservation - to the people. Its role is to extend practical knowledge to the public about agriculture and natural resources; youth development; community development; and family and consumer sciences.
Information: MSU Extension provides resources on topics that range from raising your livestock growing your crops and protecting your environment - to raising your family, managing your finances, starting your business and protecting your family’s health and well-being. Many resources are free, others are low-cost.
For Everyone: Call your local agent (listed in the county section of the phone book), take advantage of workshops and demonstrations in your area, or use our web resources at http://extn.msu.montana.edu
For a catalog of free and low-cost publications, call (406) 994-3273 or visit us online at www.montana.edu/publications.
The programs of the MSU Extension Service are available to all people regardless of race, creed, color, sex, disability or national origin. Issued in furtherance of cooperative extension work in agriculture and home economics, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Dr. Douglas Steele, Dean and Director, Extension Service, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana 59717.
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History of Cooperative Extension Service
The roots of Extension go deep in American history. The concept that all people can benefit from education is a great part of the tradition of free America.
Our founding fathers, such as George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, developed agricultural societies, which provided educational opportunities for farmers and industrial workers to create a social, political and economic climate to encourage citizens to learn and apply knowledge. These agricultural societies were influential in the passage of legislation in 1862, permitting the establishment of Colleges of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts in all states. In 1887, Agricultural Experiment Stations were authorized and the Cooperative Extension Service was established in 1914 by the Smith-Lever Act.
Purpose and Scope
The major function of the Extension Service is to provide informal adult and youth education--to help people help themselves. It is education for action directed to helping people solve the various problems which they encounter from day to day, and the needs of people for a better life. The problems of man, involving his community, home and children are the concern of the Extension Service.
County Extension Offices are the off-campus arm of Montana State University, and it transmits information on many subjects from research centers and Universities to the public. It helps people interpret the information and encourages the application of it to the solution of problems. Extension is people-oriented and encourages widespread participation of local people, regardless of race, sex, creed, color, handicap or national origin.
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Financing
The Extension Service is financed by Federal, State, and county funds. As a general policy, Montana counties provide funds for the operation of the county office, plus a contribution toward the salary of the County Agents. State and Federal funds are used for operation of the State office, including salaries, travel, and supplies. A portion of each County Agent's salary is also paid from State and Federal funds.
Duties and Responsibilities of County Staff
Education is the basic job of County Extension Agents and Assistants. As educators, they represent Montana State University and the United States Department of Agriculture. They live in the county and are in daily contact with rural people as well as those in urban areas. They become aware of the social and economic changes that affect the lives of the local people.
The County Extension Agents have the following responsibilities:
1. To maintain an office where people can get information and counsel on problems of agriculture, home economics, urban horticulture and related fields.
2. To work with local people in planning and implementing long-range educational programs.
3. To develop local leaders by providing encouragement, training, and the opportunity to gain leadership experiences.
4. To disseminate factual information in appropriate subject matter areas to the people by all available methods.
5. To maintain good working relationships with all other agencies and organizations that contribute to social and economic development in the county.
6. To keep accurate records and use them for evaluating the effectiveness of their work.
Subject Matter Specialists
The University Specialists are the link between the many sources of information (including new research), and the County Agent and his clientele. Each Specialist is responsible for providing leadership in the Extension educational program relating to his subject matter field. He assists the County Extension Agent and the local people in identifying and analyzing problems - helps plan educational programs - and provides informational support on the subject of his specialty.
The success of the Montana Extension Service has, in large measure, been due to the dedication and high standards of performance of the men and women on the field staff.
In this rapidly changing society, the County Agents provide organizational structure and programs to meet changing economic and social needs.
We are here for the people of Montana, "With Education & Research working for you".
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