Who We Are

About Extension

The Extension Service in order is nationwide and was established by the Smith-Lever Act of 1914 to provide a means for disseminating and implementing research-based information from land-grant universities. It is a partnership between state land grant universities, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the county governments throughout the nation. All of these groups share in the planning, financing, and operation of extension programs. In Florida, the Cooperative Extension Service is administered by the University of Florida.

The transfer of knowledge from the university to people throughout the state is facilitated by extension faculty in each of Florida's 67 counties. This partnership between counties and the university is the heart of the County Extension Service mission and enables the university to extend its knowledge base to each community.

The mission of extending and implementing research-based information to the people of Florida has not changed. County extension faculty develops educational programs based on the needs of their citizens and commercial customers. These priority issues form the basis for major educational programs, which are conducted statewide.

Information is delivered by computer software, seminars, video presentations, online, or by the traditional methods of lecture and print. Our customers participate in classes statewide and implement new information in their businesses, homes, and communities.