Extension: 100 years of helping navigate change

Source: Karen Ramage, extension director of county operations

While change isn’t easy for some people, it’s inevitable in some circumstances. Throughout the history of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, countless agents have worked to help Kentuckians learn about and embrace important changes.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the passage of the Smith-Lever Act, which formally established the national Cooperative Extension Service system. The UK Cooperative Extension Service is celebrating ways that extension has helped clients change their lives for the better.

Many of the duties of the first extension agents included helping farmers become better stewards of the land and helping homemakers improve food preservation techniques so they and their families could lead healthier lives.

Today, extension agents continue to work to make Kentuckians lives better, but now these duties may include helping farmers keep up with the latest precision agriculture technology, guiding families as they bounce back from the recent recession or teaching 4-H’ers about the consequences of bullying.

Despite the many social, technological and academic changes that have occurred in the past 100 years, one thing that has remained constant is that Kentuckians can always turn to their county Cooperative Extension agents to get reliable, research-based information on topics ranging from bed bugs to public speaking to physical activity. While extension agents don’t make decisions for their clients, they do provide them with the most up-to-date knowledge so individuals can make the best decision possible for themselves.

Today, change occurs rapidly, and extension is still the place where Kentuckians can turn to for help embracing those changes and moving forward toward a better Kentucky. For more information on local programs, contact the Clinton County office of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service.

Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin.

Celebrating 100 Years of Clinton County Extension

Clinton County Extension will host an Extension Turns 100 event on Thursday, May 8th from 3:30-5:30 p.m. to recognize Celebrating 100 Years of Extending Knowledge and Changing Lives. Make plans to stop by and celebrate with us!

Creative Crock Pot Cooking

Creative Crock Pot Cooking will be offered at the Clinton County Public Library on Tuesday, April 29th at 5:00 p.m. Learn how to use your crock pot or slow cooker to plan creative, time saving, and healthy meals for your family. Recipe sampling and door prizes will be available. For more information, contact the Extension office at 387-5404.

Cooking with Vegetables

A Cooking with Vegetables class will be held at the Clinton County Extension Office on Tuesday, April 29th at 10:00 a.m. Come out and learn new and exciting recipes, tips, and techniques to help you start enjoying your veggies! Classes are free, but pre-registration is a must. Call the Extension Office at 387-5404 by April 25th to reserve your spot.

Educational programs of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin.