Findings about the history agricultural extension during American era

HISTORY OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION IN THE PHILIPPINES DURING AMERICAN ERA

EPE, VINCE ROBERT

SAMILLANO, LOUEI JAY

PASCUAL, JOHN LLOYD

FLORES, CEJIE

PENUELA, KENT WILBERT

PINILI, WYANET DURVA

MAHINAY, STEFANNY

POMPERADA, HANNAH REGINE

CABEZA, HONEY MAE

RELLON, MARY JUNE

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN AGRICULTURE

(ANIMAL SCIENCE)

MARCH 4,2025

HISTORY OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION IN THE PHILIPPINES

DURING AMERICAN ERA

History of Extension in the United States (US) In the United States, the term ‘extension education’ has been used since the early1900s through the Morrill Act of 1862, also known as the Land Grant College Act. One if not the most enduring legacy of President Abraham Lincoln. It was a major boost to higher education in America. The grant was originally set up to establish institutions in each state that would educate people in agriculture, home economics, mechanical arts, and other professions that were practical at the time. The land-grant act was introduced by a congressman from Vermont named Justin Smith Morrill. He envisioned the financing of agricultural and mechanical education. He wanted to assure that education would be available to those in all social classes especially to the sons of toil. The term ‘’Agricultural Extension’’ was only adopted in 1914 when the United States Federal Smith-Lever Act of 1914 formalized a nationwide cooperative federal-state-county program. The goal of the Smith-Lever Act in 1914 was to establish the Cooperative Extension Service, which is a state-by-state network of educators who "extend" university knowledge to people throughout the country. Cooperative Extension is an educational partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the nation's land-grant universities. In the beginning, agricultural extension was concerned primarily with the improvement of agriculture, using conventional teaching methods. As time went on, home economics, youth programs and rural community resource development were included. Agricultural extension spread to tropical Africa, the Caribbean, Asia and Latin America following the involvement of the United States of America (USA) in bilateral AID programs after the Second World War. It is important to note that the US Cooperative Extension system is one of the older models of extension that has proved very successful. This model is also known as transfer of technology’ because technology is developed on research stations and universities and then transferred through extension agents to farmers.

Extension During the American Period (1899 – 1940)

The American era in the Philippines marked a significant turning point in the development of agricultural extension. Recognizing the importance of agriculture to the Philippine economy, the American colonial government-initiated reforms aimed at modernizing farming practices.

Significant Event with Date

The development of agricultural extension in the Philippines began with a serious attempt at "extension work" on October 8, 1901, under the American Regime. This was followed by the establishment of the Bureau of Agriculture under the Department of Interior on April 30,1902, laying the foundation for organized agricultural development.

A crucial development within this bureau was the creation of the Division of Demonstration and Extension Service in July 1910 to implement extension and research programs, alongside the establishment of agricultural schools to train government extension workers. This division served as the primary vehicle for disseminating new agricultural technologies and practices to Filipino farmers By July 10, 1919 , its activities were further expanded in subsequent years to include the promotion of cooperative farmers' associations, the provision of rural credit, and the implementation of animal insurance programs with personnel known as "Farm Advisers."

In 1923, the division was renamed the Agricultural Extension Service, and MS. Maria Y. Orosa initiated the home extension service within the Bureau of Science's Organic Chemistry Division, focusing on food preservation.

The Food Preservation unit was organized in 1925, expanding to food preparation, home management, and demonstrations. A reorganization in 1929 led to the formation of the Bureau of Animal Industry and the Bureau of Plant Industry, both continuing extension activities.

In 1932, the Demonstration and Extension Division became the Agricultural Division, and the BPI's Agricultural Extension Division was renamed the Agriculture Division, continuing services until the Commonwealth Act.

In 1933, the Fiber Standardization Board was abolished, the Fiber Inspection Service returned to the Department of Agriculture and Commerce, and the Food Preservation Division of the Bureau of Science became the Division of Economics.

From 1933 to 1936, the Division of Home Economics was transferred to the Bureau of Plant Industry and merged with the Utilization Division.

These developments during the American era laid the groundwork for the modern agricultural extension system in the Philippines. The emphasis on disseminating knowledge, promoting cooperation, and providing support services helped to improve agricultural productivity and contribute to the overall development of the country.