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University of California Agricultural Cooperative Extension, San Joaquin County, Collection
Ms82
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Contributing Institution:
University of California, Merced Library
Title: University of California Agricultural Cooperative Extension, San Joaquin County, Collection
Identifier/Call Number: Ms82
Physical Description:
11.3 linear feet
Date (inclusive): 1914-1994
Date (bulk): 1914-1952
Date (inclusive): 1924 - 1967 (Ms39)
Date (inclusive): 1924 - 1967 (Ms39)
Physical Location: Erickson Vault, San Joaquin Historical Society and Museum Nitrate Negatives are stored at the UC Cooperative Extension Archive,
University of California Merced Library.
Abstract: This collection documents the history of the University of California Agricultural Cooperative Extension in San Joaquin County
from 1914 to 1994. It affords insights not only into the relationship between the U.S. government, the University of California,
and San Joaquin County farmers, but also into the course of local agriculture during the first half of the twentieth century.
Also of note is material related to the history of the U.C. Agricultural Cooperative Extension Service throughout California,
related legislative issues, and the history of the San Joaquin County Farm Bureau. The collection includes staff reports written
yearly, monthly, and weekly; descriptions of projects and experiments; administrative files; published research; and photographs
of staff members, projects, experiments, technologies, educational programs, and farm animals.
Language of Material: Records written in English
- Processed by: Leigh Johnsen
- Date Completed: 2012
- Encoded by: Leigh Johnsen
Collection is open for research by appointment at the San Joaquin County Historical Society and Museum, Lodi, California.
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.
Preferred citation: [Item name], University of California Agricultural Cooperative Extension, San Joaquin County, Collection,
Ms82, San Joaquin County Historical Society and Museum, Lodi, California.
John P. Underhill Collection, 1924-1967 (Ms39) San Joaquin County Historical Society and Museum, Lodi, California.
UC Cooperative Extension Archive, University of California Merced Library.
At the turn of the previous 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. Beginning in 1913, the Agriculture Extension Service, later known as UC Cooperative Extension,
placed farm advisors employed by the University of California in every county that formed a Farm Bureau and agreed to sponsor
Extension Service work. 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.
In June of 1914, the first representative from the U.C. Agricultural Cooperative Extension set up residence in San Joaquin
County. The program grew over the next half century, not only in the size of its staff and breadth of services, but also in
popularity and the extent of its involvement in rural San Joaquin County. Activities of the advisors included troubleshooting
diseases of plants and animals, conducting information sessions, demonstrating new farming techniques, engaging in experiments,
offering advice for housekeepers, educating young people, and sponsoring summer retreats. The program proved crucial during
World Wars I and II, not only for successful efforts to coordinate increased agricultural production, but also for the role
it played in addressing labor shortages.
The University of California Cooperative Agricultural Extension Papers for San Joaquin County span the years 1914 to 1994.
The collection is arranged in six series: 1. Staff Reports, 2. Project Descriptions and Proposals, 3. World War II Initiatives,
4. Administrative Files, 5. Reference Material, and 6. Photographs. The bulk of the collection documents roughly fifty years
of involvement by representatives from the University of California Agricultural Cooperative Extension in one of the state's
major farming counties. They afford glimpses into the U.C. Agricultural Cooperative Extension itself, as well as rural society;
agricultural practies, education, and technology; plant and animal diseases; building construction; labor; household management;
and public administration.
Nitrate negatives are stored in the film freezer at the University of California, Merced Library as part of the UC Cooperative
Extension Archive.
This collections was digitized in partnership with the University of California, Merced's UC Cooperative Extension Archive
and was funded in part by a National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) Major Initiatives Grant (RM-100281)
awarded to the University of California, Merced Library.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Agriculture--California--San Joaquin County--History
Farm Bureau (San Joaquin County, Calif.)
4-H clubs--California--History
San Joaquin County (Calif.)--History
San Joaquin County Fair--History
University of California (1868-1952)--History
University of California Agricultural Extension Service. San Joaquin County (Calif.). Farm and Home Advisors Office.