October 17, 2023
Research and Extension: A Tradition of Innovation
Jane Schuh is the Director of Research for K-State Research and Extension, and the associate dean for research and graduate programs in the K-State College of Agriculture.
Since 1887 when the Hatch Act allowed for the creation of the agricultural experiment station network, innovation in research has been a cornerstone of the land-grant mission.
With the Smith-Lever Act of 1914, that mission was extended to translating research-based findings, best practices, and information in youth development (4-H), agriculture and natural resources (ANR), family and consumer sciences (FCS), and community development to the people that we serve. For nearly 140 years, Kansas State University -- through research and extension -- has worked to serve the land and its people.
In 2023, our family life, work, economy, social stability and global political well-being are increasingly interwoven. Now more than ever there is no single entity that has a better opportunity to improve the human condition than the classrooms, laboratories, plots and places of a land-grant research university.
Bringing to bare all the expertise, creativity and industry that K-State has to offer to solve the big, complicated, contemporary problems that face us, we can achieve even greater impacts on the lives of Kansans and our constituents around the world for what comes next. Every student, researcher, faculty member, technician and agent is part of the land-grant mission, not just the ones who are in agriculture and engineering.
Extension is a unique strength for the land-grant university, and the Next-Gen Land-Grant strategic plan has incorporated our cooperative extension network on a broader scale to address the increasingly complex needs of our state, country and world. Using that existing, trusted, embedded network to coordinate at a very high level and to disseminate new knowledge to the people who need it is smart…because we know it works.
However, it may feel a little strange to see extension working in a new way. I guess that it’s appropriate that this feels ‘new’ because innovation always takes a bit of getting used to, but the premise for this change is not new. It is built on a long tradition of innovation and continuous improvement that have always been a part of the land-grant mission and makeup.
The new strategic plan talks about transformative learning, research and engagement for impact, stewardship, and an environment where all are welcome. These aren’t new concepts for KSRE; they are the renewal of our core mission and an evolution of our tradition to innovate.
I am excited to be a part of this incredible time of potential at K-State and KSRE. We have an unprecedented opportunity to move the needle toward good. What a great time to be a Wildcat!