Cooperative Extension Service records
Abstract
Founded in 1914 to administer federal and state funding for programs to improve community life, the Cooperative Extension Service concentrated its activities in eight areas: agricultural profitability; natural resources; diet, nutrition and health; human capital development; family economic stability; agricultural technology for urban audiences; profitability of marine industries; and enhanced community vitality. Publications, contracts, reports, photographs, and correspondence document the programs and activities of the Cooperative Extension Service in Maryland, particularly in the areas of agricultural research, education, and outreach.
Important Information for Users of the Collection
This collection is open for research.
Cooperative Extension Service records, Special Collections, University of Maryland Libraries.
Photocopies of original materials may be provided for a fee and at the discretion of the curator. Please see our Duplication of Materials policy for more information. Queries regarding publication rights and copyright status of materials within this collection should be directed to the appropriate curator.
This collection is PROCESSED.
Historical Note
The Cooperative Extension Service (CES) of the University of Maryland was founded in 1914 as a result of the Smith-Lever Act, which provided for federal support of programs designed for the improvement of community life. The Cooperative Extension Service primarily concentrates its activities in eight areas:
1) agricultural profitability
2) natural resources
3) diet, nutrition and health
4) human capital development
5) family economic stability
6) agricultural technology for urban audiences
7) profitability of marine industries
8) enhancing community vitality
The federal support provided was made available to academic institutions created under either the 1862 or 1890 Land Grants. Funding is also provided by all twenty-three counties and Baltimore City, and in return, the CES places representatives in each of these regions to help actuate their programs, while the researchers and specialists can remain on the campuses of the University of Maryland to develop the programs. In order to achieve their goals, the CES cooperates extensively with the University of Maryland's College Park and Eastern Shore campuses. The University often provides the buildings and materials needed for workshops and conferences, and supports research of efficient systems of agriculture, health, and economics. The service is also actively involved in community awareness programs.
In order to "extend the classroom to all parts of the state," the CES conducts farm or home visits, workshops, training conferences and demonstrations, and produces publications and radio and television programs. It provides the "off-campus, non-credit, out-of-classroom" education to many of the state's farmers, marine workers, and rural and urban homemakers need, regardless of their race, color, creed, sex, marital status, personal appearance, age, national origin, political affiliation, or handicap.
Scope and Contents of the Collection
The records of the Cooperative Extension Service consist of correspondence, various public service publications, reports, contracts, and other materials produced by or relating to the CES. These materials document the programs and functions of the CES particularly in the areas of agricultural research, education, and outreach.
Custodial History and Acquisition Information
The records of the Cooperative Extension Service were transferred to the University of Maryland Libraries in the 1970s.
Processing Information
Processed by: Christopher Becker, June 1989.
The records were placed into acid-neutral folders and the metal paper clips were replaced with plastic ones over protective paper. The photographs were transferred to the photographic collection.
EAD markup created using EAD database in Microsoft Access. Markup completed by Dan Schwartz, May 2006. Edited by Malissa Ruffner, December 2008.
Arrangement of Collection
This collection is organized as four series:
Detailed Description of the Collection
Series 1: Administrative Records, 1914-1964 (0.25 linear feet)
This series contains some of the records of the functions of the Cooperative Extension Service, as well as records relating to the extension service in general, arranged alphabetically by topic.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Husbandry Investigations, 1915 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 1 | |
| Commission on Aging, 1964 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 2 | |
| Contracts-U. S. Governments, Dept. of Agriculture, and CES, 1914-1916 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 3 | |
| Evans, J. A. Recollections of Extension History, 1938 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 4 | |
| Reasons for In-State Appropriations Recommended by the Governor, 1949 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 5 | |
| Statement of Policy-The Maryland CES Concerning Farming Cooperatives, n.d. | series 1 | box 1 | folder 6 | |
| A Talk by R. F. McHenry, [1953?] | series 1 | box 1 | folder 7 | |
Series 2: Publications, 1929-1972 (0.5 linear feet)
This series holds the community service publications of the Cooperative Extension Service, as well as other publications relating to the extension service, arranged alphabetically by topic.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arbor Day Program, 1968 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 1 | |
| Correspondence, 1961-1971 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 2 | |
| Food Processor Publications, 1935-1971 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 3 | |
| Miscellaneous Publications, 1919-1972 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 4 | |
| Miscellaneous Publications, 1919-1972 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 5 | |
| Prince Georges County, 1966, 1967 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 6 | |
| Related Publications, 1929-1959 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 7 | |
Series 3: Annual Reports-Worcester County, 1927-1931, 1950-1951 (0.75 linear feet)
This series contains the yearly reports of the Cooperative Extension Service regarding its role in the community of Worcester County, Maryland, arranged chronologically.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Reports-Worcester County, 1927-1930 | series 3 | box 1 | folder 1 | |
| Annual Reports-Worcester County, 1927-1930 | series 3 | box 1 | folder 2 | |
| Annual Reports-Worcester County, 1927-1930 | series 3 | box 1 | folder 3 | |
| Annual Reports-Worcester County, 1927-1930 | series 3 | box 1 | folder 4 | |
| Annual Reports-Worcester County, 1931, 1950-1951 | series 3 | box 2 | folder 1 | |
| Annual Reports-Worcester County, 1931, 1950-1951 | series 3 | box 2 | folder 2 | |
| Annual Reports-Worcester County, 1931, 1950-1951 | series 3 | box 2 | folder 3 | |
Series 4: Photographs, 1937-1972 (3 linear feet)
This series consists of photographs that the Cooperative Extension Service released in press packs, as well as other images depicting farming, produced and farm animals, equipment, and CES programs and conferences. The materials have been transferred to the photographic collection.
There is currently no box inventory available for this series. Please refer to the series description above for a broad description of the materials.
Related Material
There are substantial additional accessions from the Cooperative Extension Service, including unprocessed records dating to 2003. Some inventories are available. There are also collections from serveral county extension serivces, including Baltimore, Calvert and St. Mary's counties. See also corresponding University Publications.
For other related archival and manuscript collections, please see the following subject guides.
Selected Search Terms
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the University of Maryland Libraries' Catalog. Researchers desiring related materials about these topics, names, or places may search the Catalog using these headings.
Subjects
- Agricultural extension work -- Maryland -- History -- Sources
- University of Maryland Cooperative Extension Service -- Archives