UI Extension & 4-H: What do we do and why do we exist?

In the early 1800s, a pioneer journal entitled The American Farmer encouraged farmers to report on achievements and methodology for solving rural agricultural problems. On May 8, 1914, the 63rd U.S. Congress passed the Smith-Lever Act, also knowns as the Agriculture Extension Act, which established a system of cooperative extension services that are directly connected to the land-grant universities to inform the public about current developments in agriculture, horticulture, home economics, policy, leadership, economic development and 4-H.

University of Idaho Extension is a unique educational partnership funded by county, state and federal governments. At UI Extension, we have a statewide network of professional educators and specialists throughout all of Idaho.

UI Extension focuses on agriculture, horticulture, youth development (4-H), community development, family and consumer science and forestry/natural resource and sustainability programs with specialties in each category.

UI Extension has 42 county offices and a presence in all 44 of Idaho counties, including your very own Elmore County. Your local Extension Educator Brad Stokes has a background in plants, crop science, plant identification and disease/pathogen diagnostics and advanced knowledge in insect/arthropod identification, diagnostics, economic injury and pesticide use.