What Is Cooperative Extension?

It is very common for people to confuse Cooperative Extension (sometimes referred to as Agricultural Extension or Farm and Home Advisor) and the Agricultural Commissioner. They are two separate county departments.

The Agricultural Commissioner regulates agriculture, ensuring that laws and standards are enforced. In his regulatory and enforcement role, the Commissioner can also recommend ordinances and has the power to enforce plant and pest quarantines.

Cooperative Extension's mission is research and education. The advisors are University faculty whose research is applied to solving local problems. They garner resources from the expertise available on any of the University of California land grant campuses. Cooperative Extension provides educational materials that are research-based and unbiased.

Key Facts About Cooperative Extension

• Cooperative Extension brings science-based, unbiased research to help solve local needs.
• The land grant university and Cooperative Extension are authorized under the Morrill Act of 1862 and the Smith-Lever Act of 1914.
• Cooperative Extension clientele are growers and allied agriculture industry, youth, families including low-income residents, policy makers and the general public.
• Direct funding comes from four primary sources: Federal, State, County, and external grants.
• The County's $3.4 billion agricultural business is served through Cooperative Extension by 13 farm advisors.
• Family and youth programs are directed by the 4-H Youth Development Program Advisor and Coordinator and 11 Nutrition Program Staff.
• Cooperative Extension volunteers with the 4-H Youth Development Program and Master Gardener Program contribute $2.3 million of services to the County yearly.
• University of California campus resources, facilities, and staff are accessible to the county-based academics to help solve local problems.

2006 Efforts and Accomplishments
Fresno County Profile - Efforts and Impact 2006