Identity elements
Reference code
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Title
Date(s)
- 1915-2021 (Creation)
Extent
50.68 linear feet (49 record boxes, 3 document cases, 1 half-document case)
Name of creator
Administrative history
The Cooperative Extension Service at South Dakota State University traces its roots to the late 1880s, when local farmers began seeking agricultural advice from college experts. Early outreach took the form of Farmers’ Institutes, which began in 1888 as formal meetings to share best practices in crop and livestock production. These institutes evolved from local agricultural gatherings that had been held in the Dakota Territory since around 1880. By the 1890s, state legislation provided modest financial support, and the Agricultural College was authorized to hold institutes statewide. However, it was the passage of the Smith-Lever Act by Congress in 1914 that fundamentally reshaped agricultural extension work across the country.
Under the Smith-Lever Act, a cooperative system was established between the U.S. Department of Agriculture, state colleges, and local communities to deliver agricultural education and demonstration programs. South Dakota appointed its first county agent in Brown County in 1912, under an early partnership between the USDA, the Better Farming Association, and South Dakota State College. By 1914, the college formalized its agreement with the USDA to create a Division of Extension, laying the groundwork for federally supported extension activities across the state.
Initially, the Extension Service provided direct, individualized support to farmers and homemakers. Over time, it shifted toward working with organized groups and associations. Early on, the Farm Bureau Federation was closely tied to extension efforts, with the Extension Service playing an active role in organizing local bureaus. However, as concerns grew over the blending of public service and organizational advocacy, the formal partnership ended in 1935.
Two major areas of Extension focus have been youth and family programs. Boys’ and girls’ club work, which began in 1913, later evolved into the 4-H program, supported by Smith-Lever funding. Home demonstration work, initially offered through the Farmers’ Institutes, became a formal part of Extension, addressing topics ranging from poultry care and home cooking techniques to nutrition and clothing. Women served as early demonstrators before the establishment of regular home demonstration agent positions.
Specialists within the Extension Service have complemented the work of county agents by providing expertise in areas such as dairy production, livestock breeding, farm management, and construction. This combination of generalist and specialist services allowed the Extension Service to meet a wide range of technical and practical needs across the agricultural sector.
Today, the mission of the Cooperative Extension Service is to extend research-based knowledge and leadership practices to individuals, families, and communities across South Dakota. As the off-campus educational arm of the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences and the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, the Extension Service works to improve agricultural practices and strengthen family and community life statewide. Through its agents and specialists, and using media such as print, radio, television, satellite communication, and in-person outreach, the Cooperative Extension Service brings the resources of South Dakota State University to every community, helping South Dakotans meet the challenges of change in farming, ranching, home life, and beyond.
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
This collection comprises records generated by the Cooperative Extension Service, encompassing a variety of materials related to administrative functions, 4-H programming, personnel communications, news releases, and specialized initiatives such as the South Dakota AgrAbility Project.
The Administrative Records include correspondence with R. Milton Rich, Area Development Specialist, discussing the adult education program in 1964 and proposals for dividing continuing study, extension, and terminal education. Also included are Cooperative Extension Impact Statements for the West District and a history and philosophy of the service, reflecting the broader administrative and strategic goals of the Extension Service.
The 4-H Publications focus primarily on materials directed at 4-H club members and leaders across the state. These include newsletters, project guides, forms, reports, and informational pamphlets. Notably, the collection contains a state commemorative document marking the centennial of 4-H, as well as club member record books from the 1930s, offering insight into the historical development of 4-H programs in South Dakota.
Personnel Communications are a collection of published materials distributed to extension personnel statewide. These materials were initially bound, though their arrangement became more organized over time, with later items categorized by subject starting around 1977. Topics include 4-H, agricultural economics, animal science, home economics, horticulture/forestry, veterinary science, and more. Some news releases are included in this series, reflecting the Extension Service's outreach efforts. In 2004, this material was microfilmed and is now arranged first chronologically by year, then alphabetically by title.
News Releases consist of items distributed to the media by Extension Services, covering a wide range of topics related to agricultural education and outreach from 1939 to 1948. These materials were also microfilmed in 2004 and are arranged chronologically by year and alphabetically by title.
The Publications series contains a variety of materials produced by the Extension Service, including circulars, handbooks, leaflets, newsletters, and reports. These publications provide insight into Extension's educational outreach across numerous disciplines, such as agriculture, home economics, and youth development.
The South Dakota AgrAbility Project is a significant initiative documented in the collection. Established under the 1990 Farm Bill, the project aims to support individuals with disabilities and their families through education and assistance. The South Dakota AgrAbility Project is a cooperative effort between South Dakota State University Cooperative Extension Service, Easter Seals of South Dakota, and Avera McKennan Hospital and University Health Center, and the collection includes materials related to this important program.
This collection provides a comprehensive view of the Cooperative Extension Service's educational, outreach, and community-building efforts in South Dakota, with a focus on 4-H, agricultural practices, disability support, and rural development initiatives. Materials are housed at an off-site facility, and requests to view the collection must be made at least 24 hours in advance. Some items are available in microfilm.
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use elements
Conditions governing access
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Materials in this collection may be subject to Title 17, Section 108 of the United States Copyright Act. Users are responsible for ensuring compliance with copyright, privacy, trademark, and other applicable rights for their intended use. Obtaining all necessary permissions is the user's responsibility. Written authorization from the copyright and/or other rights holders is required for publication, distribution, or any use of protected materials beyond what is permitted under fair use. .sdstate.edu/sdsu-archives-and-special-collections/researcher-registration-form)
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If you would like to know more about the contents of the collection, please contact the SDSU Archives at: Telephone: 605-688-5094 Email: arcrefs@sdstate.edu
Physical access
Twenty-four hours advance notice is required for materials stored offsite.
South Dakota State University supports access to the materials, published and unpublished, in its collections. Nonetheless, access to some items may be restricted as a result of their fragile condition or by contractual agreements with donors.
Technical access
Conditions governing reproduction
Reproduction of materials from the collection is subject to the following conditions:
- Permission: Written permission must be obtained from the SDSU Archives for any reproduction, publication, or quotation of materials.
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Acknowledgment: Any reproduced material must include proper acknowledgment of the South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections as the source.
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Languages of the material
English
Scripts of the material
Language and script notes
Finding aids
Acquisition and appraisal elements
Custodial history
Immediate source of acquisition
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information
Accruals
Related materials elements
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related archival materials
Related descriptions
Notes element
General note
Copyright and Use Statement
In Copyright This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
Materials in this collection may be subject to Title 17, Section 108 of the United States Copyright Act. Users are responsible for ensuring compliance with copyright, privacy, trademark, and other applicable rights for their intended use. Obtaining all necessary permissions is the user's responsibility. Written authorization from the copyright and/or other rights holders is required for publication, distribution, or any use of protected materials beyond what is permitted under fair use.