Collection Guide
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University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, UC Cooperative Extension Records
UCCE-UCANR
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Table of contents
Contributing Institution:
University of California, Merced Library
Title: University of California Cooperative Extension Records, University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Identifier/Call Number: UCCE-UCANR
Physical Description:
7.5 Linear Feet
Physical Description:
108 Reels
Date (inclusive): 1924-1989, 2003, undated
Language of Material:
English
.
This collection is intended to support teaching, research, and private study. Copyright belongs to the Regents of the University
of California. Use of the materials beyond that allowed by fair use or by any Creative Commons licenses assigned requires
the written permission of the copyright owner(s). For further information, please contact the University of California, Merced
Library at library@ucmerced.edu.
Portions of this collection are currently being processed and digitized. Once completed, the entire collection will be open
for research and please refer to this finding aid to identify digitized material available online. The physical collection
is located at the University of California, Merced Library. For help locating material, or to make a research request, please
contact library@ucmerced.edu.
At the turn of the twentieth century, growing concern over the quality of life for rural Americans prompted President Theodore
Roosevelt to appoint a Commission on Country Life in 1908. One of the direct outcomes of the Commission's recommendations
was the passage of the Smith-Lever Act in 1914, which established a national extension service to place the knowledge generated
at land-grant universities into the hands of farmers and rural citizens. The Agricultural Extension Service formalized and
built upon existing efforts of land-grant universities to enhance the knowledge of farmers and apply scientific discoveries
for improved agricultural practices.
As the state's first land-grant university, University of California, Berkeley, opened the College of Agriculture as its first
department. In 1915, the California state government established the Agricultural Extension Service and authorized the County
Boards of Supervisors to dispel funds. The first Cooperative Extension director, B. H. Crocheron, required that an organized
agriculture group be established in a county before a farm advisor could be placed there. In 1919, the California Farm Bureau
Federation was formed, and a Bureau was placed in every county that an extension worker or farm advisor were placed. While
arrangements have evolved, advisors continue to work in all California counties today and address problems ranging from soil
conditions and land reclamation to irrigation; from livestock breeding to improved varietals; and from mechanization to disease
and pest management, to enable farms to increase efficiency and productivity.
UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR) is the statewide organization that oversees UCCE county offices and personnel.
In addition to administering statewide guidance on agricultural research and development, UCANR provides standards for data
and reporting across the state for information about agriculture, natural resources, nutrition and youth development. UCANR
also leads the statewide network of Master Gardener and Master Food Preserver educational programs and the 4-H Youth Development
program.
Still an active program today, 4-H is the result of a need identified by researchers at the turn of the century who perceived
that adult members of farming communities did not readily accept new agricultural technologies and discoveries. UCANR and
UCCE county advisors decided to teach new farming methods and improved ways of rural living to youth who in turn, would share
the information with their families. 4-H stands for head, heart, hands, and health.
The University of California Cooperative Extension Records for the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources
(UCANR) span the years 1943-2003. Records are comprised of two central components: state annual reports and audiovisual materials.
The reports (1943-1966) combine data collected annually from each of the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE)
county offices. They record the number of instances that extension workers carried out activities that include teaching and
trainings, crop trials, consultations, and meetings. The reports also account for marketing and communication activities such
as the number of news stories released, publications distributed, direct mailings, and radio and television broadcasts. Home
economics activities recorded include food and nutrition education, clothing and textiles, housing, child development, health
and physical fitness, and home management. Reports also include statistics about the 4-H Youth Development program. 4-H club
work topics include, but are not limited to, electrical work, equipment repair, horticulture, dairy, beef, conservation, and
more. Some reports contain supplemental material containing additional statistics as well as correspondence that convey new
reporting standards, like the collection of participant data based on race.
The audiovisual material (1953-2003) consists primarily of 16mm film reels. Their assorted subject-matters exemplify UCANR
activities such as the 4-H youth development program, food and nutrition trainings, wildland management, agricultural industry,
animals, and adolescence and alcohol. The films were produced by UCCE personnel throughout California. VHS tapes and CD-Rs
also are also found within the AV material.
This collection is arranged into two series. The first series, which dates from 1943-1966, is comprised of the State of California
UCCE annual reports compiled from county reports. Material in this series is arranged chronologically and each folder is comprised
of documents for one year. The second series, dated 1953-2003, contains audiovisual material. It is further arranged into
three subseries. The first is CD-Rs, followed by Film Reels and Videotapes. The film reels are arranged by title and each
title may contain various copies of A reels, B reels, mag reels, or other formats. Many of the reels are deteriorating and
require conservation and digitization prior to researcher access. Unprocessed materials, including photographs, are included
in this arrangement but information regarding their scope and content will be updated at a future date.
This collection consists of 2 series and 4 subseries:
Series 1. State Annual Reports
Series 2. Audiovisual Materials
Subseries 1. Audio
Subseries 2. Film Reels
Subseries 3. Photographs
Subseries 4. Videotapes
University of California Cooperative Extension Records, University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources,
UCCE UCANR, UC Cooperative Extension Archive, University of California, Merced Library, 5200 North Lake Road, Merced, CA 95343