Week 11 Philosophical foundations of extension

Overview

This brief lesson attempts to explain the reason why we have Extension today. As my Extension background is limited, this could go badly. Wish me, and you, luck.

Objectives

Hopefully, you will be able to describe key elements in the foundational philosophy of Extension.

The Lesson

As I mentioned above, my background in Extension is somewhat limited. I served for four years as an extension associate in the North Carolina Cooperative Extension system from 1996 to 2000. During my entire time as an extension associate, I did not do any extension work. I was hired as an extension associate to manage the North Carolina FFA Association, as the FFA executive secretary. At the time that was an Extension position, and it still is. So, my entire working extension had nothing to do with extension per se.  Now that I have extolled my expertise in Extension, let's get started.

The earliest forms of extension work were to improve agriculture. That's it. There needed to be more interest in family and consumer sciences, natural resources, youth development, or anything else, for that matter. That came later. In the late 1700s, American farmers were interested in "How do we improve what we do in our farms and fields?" Back then, the United States was an agrarian society. From the very first moment that a farmer planted a seed in the ground, they have been interested in how to improve the yields from that seed and many others planted in the field.

The first extension efforts were through agricultural societies. In 1792 the Massachusetts Society for promoting agriculture was established and functioning reasonably well. This Society was sending out circulars to farmers about how to improve farming methods. Back then, town clerks were asked read these extension bulletins at town meetings and also pastors and local churches were asked to forward these circulars to anyone to whom it would be of interest.

Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New York, and dozens of other states had societies for agricultural improvement. On the coattails of these agricultural societies arrived the farmers institutes. The Massachusetts State Board of Agriculture, established in 1852, provided lectures and meetings on the practical application of improvement methods in agriculture. One clue as to the philosophical foundation behind extension can be found in the documents from this early institutes. One such document was labeled, The Farmers Wants and it was created by the Worcester South Society in 1855. To paraphase:

Before long, everyone was involved in educating farmers about agriculture. Colleges of agriculture became involved, state agencies became involved, and the federal government finally got involved and started putting money into developing educational courses and materials for farmers. Before long, Extension work was comprised of demonstrations, cooperative experiments, lectures, correspondence courses, bulletins, traveling libraries, partnerships with agricultural societies such as the Grange, educational opportunities to study nature, the creation of school Gardens, General correspondence to and from Farmers from experts about agriculture, and pretty much everything else you might think of.

The Philosophy or Guiding  Principles of Extension

The philosophy behind the Cooperative Extension Service is rooted in the concept of cooperative education and outreach for the betterment of individuals, families, communities, and society as a whole. The Cooperative Extension Service is a nationwide network in the United States that provides research-based information, educational programs, and technical assistance in agriculture, family and consumer sciences, community development, and youth development. The key principles of Extension are:

Education and Outreach

The primary goal of the Cooperative Extension Service is to educate and empower individuals and communities with research-based knowledge and information. This education is aimed at improving people's lives, enhancing their skills and capabilities, and fostering informed decision-making.

Partnership and Collaboration

Cooperative Extension operates through partnerships and collaborations between federal, state, and local governments, land-grant universities, and other organizations. This collaborative approach ensures that Extension programs are relevant, effective, and responsive to the needs of diverse communities. Extension encourages a democratic approach to learning. To reiterate, individuals and local communities decided what it was that they needed in the way of learning about agriculture. Then those individual set about developing educational programs to meet that need. Local individuals saw it is their responsibility, the responsibility of the local community, to determine the programs and plans and affairs of all of the extension work in their community.

Practical Application of Research

Extension programs are based on scientific research conducted at land-grant universities and other research institutions. The information and recommendations provided by Extension professionals are practical, evidence-based, and tailored to address real-world challenges faced by individuals, families, and communities.

Community Engagement

Cooperative Extension encourages active participation and engagement from community members. Extension programs often involve workshops, seminars, field days, and other interactive activities that promote learning, skill-building, and community development. Extension seems to be all-inclusive. None of the early documents that I read about extension discouraged attendance at meetings or the sharing of knowledge. It seems like every effort by extension created the maximum possible opportunity to share knowledge with the greatest number of people.

Lifelong Learning

Extension education is not limited to formal classroom settings but extends throughout people's lives. The philosophy of lifelong learning underscores the importance of continuous education, skill development, and personal growth at all stages of life. Extension recognizes that it is human nature to want to learn. People have to have an opportunity to learn, or they're just not able to reach some sense of self-fulfillment.

Empowerment and Capacity

Building Through education, training, and technical assistance, Cooperative Extension aims to empower individuals and communities to solve problems, make informed decisions, and build their capacity to address challenges and opportunities effectively. Extension seems to encourage efficacy. Many of the early institutes were led by local leaders. People had to step up and take a leadership role in extension. Often, new farming methods require people to take risks and stick their necks out and try something new. The spirit of can-do pervades extension. 

Local Adaptation

Extension programs are adapted to local needs, priorities, and conditions. Extension professionals work closely with communities to identify pressing issues, develop tailored solutions, and implement strategies that promote sustainable development and resilience. Extension focuses on the growth and development of people, both socially, culturally, and intellectually. All of these agricultural societies and institutes that sprang up across the United States in the late 1700s and on through till the late 1800s were the result of individuals and local communities deciding what was important to them locally and then developing an educational program to meet those local needs.

Overall, the philosophy behind the Cooperative Extension Service is grounded in the belief that education, collaboration, and community engagement are essential for creating positive social, economic, and environmental change. By providing  evidence-based information and resources, Extension contributes to building stronger, healthier, and more productive communities

Reading Activity

For a fuller depiction of the roots of Extension, please visit archive.org and read the first chapter in The reluctant farmer; the rise of agricultural extension to 1914, by  R. Vernon Scott.  You will need to log in to read this, but you will not be asked to pay a fee of any kind. If you are,  let me know right away. This is a free resource.

Summary

So there you go. Extension does have a philosophical foundation in my view. I would like to hear from extension professionals in the class as to whether or not this is accurate. If anyone knows of documentation that lays out the philosophical foundation for extension, please send it my way.

60-Minute Assignment: What did I miss?

What elements of the philosophy of Extension did I miss? What documents can you find online that reference the philosophical foundations for Extension? Please take a look at what you can find, and report your findings on this Google Doc.