Smith-Lever Act of 1914
Encyclopedia
The Smith–Lever Act of 1914 is a United States federal law that established a system of cooperative extension service
s, connected to the land-grant universities, in order to inform people about current developments in agriculture
, home economics
, and related subjects. ( ie. It helped farmers learn new agricultural techniques by the introduction of home instruction.)
In brief, the appropriation for cooperative extension is shared between the states based on the following formula. First, the historic amount that has been allocated for "special needs" programs is set aside. Next, 4% is set aside for USDA administrative costs.
The remainder is allocated:
Except for the "1994 Land-grant colleges" for native Americans, each state must match its Federal cooperative extension funds.
In addition, an amount no less than 6% of the total Smith-Lever Act approriation is appropriated for the extension programs of the "1890 Land-grant colleges" (which are historically black colleges.) These funds are also shared between the 1890 colleges by the 20%-40%-40% formula, with Alabama A&M and Tuskegee University
treated as though they were in different states.
Cooperative extension service
The Cooperative Extension Service, also known as the Extension Service of the USDA, is a non-formal educational program implemented in the United States designed to help people use research-based knowledge to improve their lives. The service is provided by the state's designated land-grant...
s, connected to the land-grant universities, in order to inform people about current developments in agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
, home economics
Home Economics
Home economics is the profession and field of study that deals with the economics and management of the home and community...
, and related subjects. ( ie. It helped farmers learn new agricultural techniques by the introduction of home instruction.)
In brief, the appropriation for cooperative extension is shared between the states based on the following formula. First, the historic amount that has been allocated for "special needs" programs is set aside. Next, 4% is set aside for USDA administrative costs.
The remainder is allocated:
- 20% shared by all States in equal proportions;
- 40% shared in the proportion that the rural population of each bears to the total rural population of the several States as determined by the census;
- 40% shared in the proportion that the farm population of each bears to the total farm population of the several States as determined by the census.
Except for the "1994 Land-grant colleges" for native Americans, each state must match its Federal cooperative extension funds.
In addition, an amount no less than 6% of the total Smith-Lever Act approriation is appropriated for the extension programs of the "1890 Land-grant colleges" (which are historically black colleges.) These funds are also shared between the 1890 colleges by the 20%-40%-40% formula, with Alabama A&M and Tuskegee University
Tuskegee University
Tuskegee University is a private, historically black university located in Tuskegee, Alabama, United States. It is a member school of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund...
treated as though they were in different states.