This week the Hart County Extension Office celebrated 100 Years of Extension locally with an afternoon reception highlighting the centennial anniversary of the signing of the Smith-Lever Act while recognizing the local extension employees and services provided to the community. The Smith-Lever Act provided funding for outreach at the Land-Grant Universities founded by the Morrill Act of 1862. The act was introduced by Senator Hoke Smith of Georgia and Representative A.F. Lever of South Carolina to expand the vocational, agricultural, and home demonstration programs in rural America.
* Specifically the Smith Lever-Act stated as its purpose, "In order to aid in diffusing among the people of the United States useful and practical information on subjects related to agriculture, uses of solar energy with respect to agriculture, home economics and rural energy and to encourage application of the same, there may be continued or inaugurated in connection with the college or colleges in each state, territory or possession." The appropriation for Cooperative Extension as established by Smith-Lever was unique in that it set up a shared partnership among the federal, state, and county levels of government.*
The cooperative extension service provides programs and information concerning family and consumer science, agriculture, and youth development through 4-H. Hart County has been blessed with a dedicated staff at the extension office, providing decades of support, information, and education to county residents. This is evident by the many homemaker club members, farmers, business owners, community leaders, and 4-H members present Tuesday at the reception.
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| Amber Huffman, Hart County Cooperative Extension Agent for Youth Development, welcomes guests to the reception, while Chris Clark, Hart County Cooperative Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources, at right, waits to speak about the Smith-Lever Act. |
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| Guests were asked to sign their name and write one word which described 'extension'. Descriptive words included learning, helping, 4-H, development, leadership, friends, food, and education. |
The extension office is a source of information and programs covering topics such as exercise, health, canning, baking, quilting, sewing, gardening, pest control, crop production, beekeeping, weed identification, fencing, plus 4-H programs of leadership, public speaking, foods, livestock production, woodworking, community service, and equine science.....just to name a few.
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Virginia Davis, Director of Hart County Chamber of Commerce (2nd from left) presented a certificate of appreciation to the staff of the Hart County Cooperative Extension Service. Pictured above: Lisa Vierstra - Office Support Staff, Virginia Davis, Chris Clark - County Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resource, Amber Huffman, Agent for 4-H Youth Development, Betsy Ann Tracy - Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences, and Lisa Pritchard - 4-H Youth Development Program Assistant.
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| Amber Huffman, Hart County Agent for 4-H Youth Development with 4-H members Blake Quiggins, Carson Seymour, and Wade Scott. |
Three generations of my family have enjoyed the programs offered through the extension office, specifically 4-H. My mother was very active in her 4-H Club, serving as an officer and completing many sewing and cooking projects. I was also a Hart County 4-H member, and I enjoyed years of cooking and beef cattle projects, and participating with the club in many variety show productions. My two children gained positive experience in public speaking, leadership, livestock judging, and livestock production. As an added bonus we have formed lifetime friendships with wonderful people.
The extension office is a resource that many people use weekly, however, it is still an unknown resource for some residents because they just don't realize the information and services available. Take the time to visit your local extension office.
For more information about the Hart County office or programs available contact staff members as listed below at 270-524-2451 or visit the following link:
http://hart.ca.uky.edu/
Staff Directory
* This information from the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service
Photographs property of Wanda Quiggins
