Which act established the cooperative extension service in the USA?

The establishment of the cooperative extension service in the USA is attributed to the Smith-Lever Act of 1914. This act aimed to provide practical education to the public, particularly in rural areas, and facilitated the extension of research-based knowledge from land-grant universities to farmers and the general population. It represented a significant evolution in agricultural education by emphasizing the dissemination of knowledge through local extension agents, who worked directly with communities to address agricultural challenges and improve farming practices. This act is foundational in shaping the role of extension services in promoting agricultural productivity and enhancing rural life.

The other acts mentioned, while significant in the history of agricultural education, pertain to different aspects. The Morrill Acts, for example, were crucial in establishing land-grant colleges and promoting agricultural and mechanical arts education but did not directly create the extension service. The Land Grant Act also laid the groundwork for agricultural education but lacked the specific focus on community extension services that the Smith-Lever Act introduced.