Land Grant Universities And Extension into the 21st Century: Renegotiating or Abandoning a Social Contract

This book includes a concise history of the United States' Land-Grant universities and Cooperative Extension Service. Extension was judged a success in the 1950's and 60's, but support for the system has recently come under attack. Dr. McDowell argues that while there remains considerable potential benefit to Land-Grant universitites through Extension, the system and its function is in peril. The original mission of the Land-Grant university is being renegotiated in some places and abandoned in others. Dr. McDowell recounts the successes of Extension, weighs them against unmet needs, and suggests specific action steps.