January 16, 2024
The Rich History of Agriculture
Chuck Voelker is a member of the Wildcat Extension District Governing Body and the State Extension Advisory Council.
While I don’t really consider myself a history buff, there are a few subjects that do stimulate my interest. I enjoy watching television programs that give a behind-the-scenes look at things like historic events, significant inventions, or the lives of influential people. Sports, military, and agricultural events are my favorites. Let me provide you a few examples.
The year is 1914. Thomas Adams invents Clove Chewing Gum, the space rocket is patented and the 48-mile-long Panama Canal opens. The Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria is assassinated, thus igniting the start of World War I. The Kansas State Agricultural College Aggies football team goes 1 - 5 - 1 for the season, including losses to KU and Washburn University.
Not to be outdone by other worldly events, Sen. Hoke Smith of Georgia and Rep. A. F. Lever of South Carolina introduced legislation that would become known as The Smith-Lever Act. Signed by President Woodrow Wilson on May 8, 1914, it authorized and federally funded cooperative extension work between the Land-Grant Colleges and the United States Department of Agriculture.
The following year, 1915, the Kansas Legislature passed the County Farm Bureau Law that provided funds to implement the county extension program. Being currently involved in county and state Farm Bureau activities, I find this particularly fascinating, and can easily visualize the commonalities. This law was revised in 1951, making the county extension program the combined responsibilities of the county extension council and Kansas State University.
In 1991, the Kansas Extension District Law was passed by the state legislature which allowed for two or more county extension councils to form extension districts. And finally, in 1996, The Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station and Kansas Cooperative Extension Service merged to form the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, presently known as K-State Research and Extension (KSRE).
It seems as though extension services have been a part of my life as long as I can remember. My family was and still is heavily involved in 4-H; as members and club leaders, 4-H agents, state and national judging contest participants, county, district and state extension board members, record book judges, county fair project judges, state award winners, fair board members, county and district foundation board members, and even a two-time state winning judging team coach.
Even as much of my past extension experience has been abundantly influenced by 4-H activities, I can assure you my current view is that of a much broader scope. As a board member of the Wildcat Extension District, I can attest to the fact that all of our agents are positively impacting the lives of the citizens residing in our four-county presence. While we do have some outstanding specialists employed, it is the way they frequently work together on projects and events that we are able to witness the fruits of their labor, love and lifelong passion.
Our team of agents is an eclectic, upbeat group with a wide range of ages, various years of experience, and diverse backgrounds of educational and prior occupational endeavors. I firmly believe this provides valuable assistance for them to perform as a cohesive unit, improve their problem-solving skills, and to collaborate on things such as references, resources, and programming needs.
I would be remiss to not include our director, Frances Graves. I remember during her hiring interview she made the comment that she was not a typical candidate because she didn’t have any direct extension experience. Nonetheless, the board could tell that her diverse background would lend itself well to handling the daily tasks and responsibilities ahead of her. She is a true leader; she lets the agents perform their duties. She is encouraging in every way, and most importantly, she listens. Challenges are not obstacles for her, but merely speed bumps on the road to success.
Extension engagement is alive and well in the Wildcat Extension District. Just as there have been numerous struggles and strife throughout history, not all will be smooth sailing going forward. But that’s why extension is there; to help distribute the expertise of university research and learning to anyone seeking assistance, knowledge, and wisdom. In other words, “To make the best better.”