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Humboldt and Del Norte Counties, UC Cooperative Extension Records
UCCE.HUM
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Table of contents
Contributing Institution:
University of California, Merced Library
Title: University of California Cooperative Extension Records, Humboldt and Del Norte Counties
Identifier/Call Number: UCCE.HUM
Physical Description:
8 Linear Feet
Date (bulk): 1914-2000
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.
This collection is open for research. A portion of the records have been digitized and are freely available online. Per the
request of the Humboldt County, UC Cooperative Extension office, materials in this collection are located at their office.
There is an exception, however, for Series 5: Photographs and Audiovisual Materials. These objects (except for the scrapbooks)
are located at the UC Merced Library. For help locating archival materials at the Humboldt County, UC Cooperative Extension
office, please contact (707) 445-7351. For help locating photographic materials, contact archives@ucmerced.edu.
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.
Humboldt county was the first in California to establish a Cooperative Extension Office with Andrew H. Christiansen serving
as the first farm advisor. Christiansen began his tenure by addressing the needs of farmers in the region which included conducting
soil and water tests, giving advice, and demonstrating cultivation techniques. Over the years, farm advisors in Humboldt county
have focused on three main areas: dairy and cattle, forestry, and farm experiments.
Before World War II, Humboldt county farm advisors focused on the use of records to maintain herd health, which aided in eradicating
tuberculosis and brucellosis. They also implemented calf diet supplementation; promoted cow testing; and wide-ranging forage
trials. After the war, their focus shifted to assisting dairy farmers with marketing milk production. In the 1940s, farm advisors
tackled the major issue of the Klamath weed, which had infested 150,000 acres of rangeland. Through the introduction of the
Klamath weed beetle, UCCE conducted the first successful eradication of an invasive species using a biological method in California.
Humboldt county farm advisors also worked with landowners to address a number of forestry issues, including the fighting of
wildfires, utilizing wood, milling, planting, and management issues. Due to increased demand for wood products following WWII,
Humboldt county hired Robert Krohn in 1964, to work as a specialist in silviculture and management of second-growth forests.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the focus expanded to pest control.
Fruit and vegetable experiments comprise the third area of focus in Humboldt county. In the 1920s, farm advisors worked with
the Fruit Growers Association on cultivating apples, peaches, and berries. They also performed experiments on carrot fertilization
and other vegetable production and varieties, including tomatoes, asparagus, and potatoes. These trials continued through
the 1980s.
An important aspect of UCCE's Humboldt county office is its long history and involvement in 4-H, a youth development and mentoring
organization. Humboldt was the first county in California to form 4-H Clubs, with the establishment of clubs in Arcata, Ferndale,
and Fortuna in 1913. In 1946, Humboldt County appointed Ruth Crawford as the first county Home Demonstration Agent. Crawford
focused on teaching the community about food preservation, sewing, clothes, recycling, mattress making, and home improvement
projects. In the 1960s, the focus of the Home Demonstration Agent shifted to 4-H, with hands-on projects involving engineering,
animal science, gardening, and woodworking.
A more comprehensive history of UC Cooperative Extension in Humboldt county is found on their website: http://cehumboldt.ucanr.edu/cooperativeextension/Oral_history_project_and_historic_timeline/
The University of California Cooperative Extension Records for Humboldt County span the years of 1914-2000. Records include
reports and information on wildfire management, the 1955 and 1964 floods, disaster response, farm management, soil and timber
surveys, floriculture, and plant management. A large portion of the records are related to livestock and animal husbandry
in Humboldt County, Del Norte County, the North Coast, and California and include trial reports and reference material on
ranch water quality, pest control, grazing, cattle reproduction and management, horse breeding and management, and dairy management.
This collection also includes reports and information on the work of the Home Demonstration Agents, who later became the 4-H
advisors. Home demonstration and 4-H subjects include: home economics, nutrition education, home gardens, home beautification,
and youth development. The collection includes a wide variety of formats: typed reports, data sets, local newsletters and
press releases, maps, audiovisual material, photographs, slides, scrapbooks, and a variety of publications from the county,
state, and national level. Portions of this collection are currently being processed.
University of California Cooperative Extension Records, Humboldt County, UCCE HUM, UC Cooperative Extension Archive, University
of California, Merced Library, 5200 North Lake Road, Merced, CA 95343