Knowing Extension's background may help you to clarify perceptions of your job, allowing you to communicate effectively and understand the roles within our organization. In this section, we will briefly look at Extension's 100+ year history from the past to the and how the work has evolved into the mission of today.
Background of Extension
The Cooperative Extension Service system got its start in 1862 when Congress passed the Morrill Act, which provided for a university in each state to provide education to citizens in agricultural and mechanical fields. These colleges are known as "land-grant universities."
Extension in Minnesota began in 1909, with a charge from the Minnesota State Legislature to "create and maintain a division of agricultural extension and home education in the department of agriculture of the University of Minnesota, to provide for the publication and distribution of home education bulletins...".
Early Extension was a service free to all Minnesotans to educate about techniques for food production through short courses and bulletins. Extension quickly became involved with youth--often the fastest way to educate the parents--by forming Extension's 4-H clubs nationwide. Women also became a primary Extension audience for home economics courses and demonstrations.
Extension's mission
Making a difference by connecting community needs and University resources to address critical issues in Minnesota.
For more than a century, University of Minnesota Extension has been dedicated to the University of Minnesota’s land-grant mission. Like the University, Extension is dedicated to the advancement of learning; to sharing knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of
knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation and the world.
Extension thrives because it is rooted in communities. Extension succeeds because of its dedicated and passionate faculty and staff, and how they are
inspired by and empowered to ensure that Extension makes a difference.
Extension educational model of research, education, and value
Research: discovering science-based solutions that work
Education: building a stronger Minnesota and a brighter future
Value: helping people develop knowledge and skills to solve problems
Extension's organization
Extension has over 750 employees of which 65% live in greater Minnesota. This includes positions such as field operations personnel, extension educators, campus faculty, program leaders, county-based educators and coordinators, and local support staff.
Have a look at the organizational chart below and ask yourself: Where do I fit within the Extension community? If you have questions about how your job fits within the broader scope of Extension, don't hesitate to connect with your supervisor to discuss your role in the organization.
Extension's org chart, 2015
he 2020 Extension Strategic Plan: A Pathway Forward is built around the three essential components – scholarship, engagement and systems – that have guided Extension through more than a century of creating public value for Minnesota and beyond.
The goals and strategies for 2020 described in this plan reflect that emerging challenges and opportunities require new approaches to fulfilling the land-grant mission. These trends include globalization and a competitive marketplace of ideas; an increasingly diverse society; game-changing technological advances; broad and variable funding streams; and eroding public trust of hierarchical, traditional systems.
Activity
Read more about Extension's Strategic Plan.