Celebrating 100 Years of Extension

In 2014, Extension celebrates the Smith-Lever Act, which established the Cooperative Extension Service, a unique partnership between the U.S Department of Agriculture, the nation’s land-grant universities, and county government that extends research-based knowledge from Extension Specialist at the state level and County Agents at the local level. For 100 years, the Smith Lever Act has stimulated innovative research and vital educational programs for youth and adults through progressive information delivery systems that improved lives and shaped a nation. Celebrate 100 years of Extension across generations, across Montana. Phillips County’s first County Agent was in 1917 with Bert Clarkson. Since that time there has been 23 Family Consumer Science and County Agricultural Agents in Phillips County. The main purpose of the local Agent is to engage with local clientele for the purpose of identifying challenges and opportunities aimed at improving their lives. Local efforts focus on small grain, forage, and livestock production as well as youth development. Some of the activities the local Extension Office has participated in are annual Jim Schumacher Memorial Livestock Day, St. Mary/Milk River Rehabilitation effort, noxious weed prevention, small grain/pea demonstration plots, pesticide application certification, forage nitrate testing, and annual county fair to mention a few. Phillips County 4-H began in 1917 with over 228 youth participating in gardening, potato, corn, poultry and calf clubs.  With all of today’s challenges facing youth, the program is still going strong with over 153 members participating in 448 projects.  No program is successful without the 54 volunteers who give of their time and talents to help youth become confident, self-assured individuals. There are currently 18 cloverbuds (youth ages 6 – 8) that participate in hands-on and non-competitive activities that help create confidence in youth through programs of self-discovery.  Cloverbuds have learned about growing seeds, families and what makes them special, healthy food choices, the wonders of water, leather projects and managing time. The current eight 4-H clubs consist of youth ages 9 to 18 years of age.  They participate in club, county and state activities.  4-H places and emphasis on the importance of young people being engaged and well-informed. Hands on activities range from animals to leather and from cooking to crop science to shooting sports.