0:01 On May 8th, 1914

0:03 Congress signed into law the Smith-Lever Act, which officially
established the
0:07 National Cooperative Extension Service
0:09 a state-by-state network of educators who extend university-based
research and
0:13 knowledge
0:14 to citizens. Throughout the last century, residents of Maryland have
depended on
0:19 University of Maryland Extension
0:20 to get the information and tools they need to enhance their quality of
life.
0:25 Through the Smith-Lever Act being the translator
0:29 or the front door of the university. We made great strides to bring
education to many of our
0:36 residents.
0:44 For farmer Guy Moore who operates Larriland Farms in Howard
County,
0:47 a pick your own fruit and vegetable farm, University of Maryland
Extension
0:51 has served as a lifeline for more than three decades. I have several
people
0:56 from the University of Maryland
0:57 Extension on speed dial. I call them
1:00 way more than they'd like to hear from me I'm sure.
1:05 I have a problem here with this crop. I think I am going to use this

procedure
1:09 to control the problem. You know what do you think? The quality
control we're able to
1:15 have here is all because of the resources they bring to the table.
1:21 In its early days, University of Maryland Extension
1:24 was mainly focused on farming practices, home economics, and life
in rural areas.
1:29 While these remain a large part of what Extension does
1:32 the organization has had to adapt over the years to keep pace with
the changing
1:36 times and demographics of our state.
1:38 With offices in every county and in Baltimore City,
1:42 University of Maryland Extension offers a little something for
everyone. Most
1:46 people in the state of Maryland
1:47 probably don't realize the types of programming that
1:51 that we have available for the residents of Maryland.
1:54 University of Maryland Extension's 4-H program engages more
2:02 than 96,000 youth
2:04 each year in the state. From raising animals and showing them at
the State
2:08 Fair
2:08 to creating elaborate craft project to participating in robotics
competitions
2:13 Maryland 4-H is training the leaders of tomorrow

2:16 and preparing them for prosperous futures. It's a lot about learning
about
2:20 like
2:21 how gears work.
2:22 How programming works. How electricity
2:25 like how to run everything.
2:26 But it's a lot about teamwork and collaboration.
2:30 We continue to celebrate our rich history
2:34 and that project emphasis that we've had, but we recognize that for
our children to
2:38 be competitive in today's
2:40 environment that they need science-based skills. They need
workforce readiness
2:44 that makes them more appealing to
2:46 individuals in the industry and so forth. So we've evolved their
project
2:49 opportunities to really focus on that,
2:51 but also celebrating our traditional past. While the 4-H program is
committed
2:56 to inspiring and educating today's youth
2:58 plenty of programs are available for adults in Maryland. Whether it's
training
3:02 gardening enthusiasts through the Maryland Master Gardeners
Program,
3:06 providing nutrition education in schools and community centers,

3:09 or helping the farmer down the road bring a better product to your
table.
3:13 University of Maryland Extension educators
3:16 might have been lurking right under your nose without you even
realizing it.
3:31 After a century of service to the citizens a Maryland, Extension is
showing
3:35 no signs of slowing down
3:37 heading into the next 100 years. What we started in 1914
3:42 with the Smith-Lever Act is just as significant today.
3:45 We are the front door of the university.