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Extension is comprised of state, Federal, and local (county and city) staffs that 

 cooperatively fund, plan, implement, and evaluate programs that develop practical 

 applications of research knowledge and inform and educate clientele regarding these 

 practical applications. This partnership currently leverages $426 million Federal dollars 

 into an additional $1 billion from state and local sources. Federal funds have a fairly 

 significant impact on the way many state and local funds are used. First, most Federal 

 appropriations suggest priorities, and the amount of state and local funds going into such 

 programs often far exceeds any match requirement. 



It should also be understood that land-grant universities, county governments, and state 

 governments also provide a substantial resource in the way of offices, laboratories, 

 buildings, utilities, support personnel, equipment, etc. Yes, Federal funds leverage 

 substantial resources directed towards national, state, and local priorities. In addition, 

 it should be emphasized that less than 4 % of the ES-USDA congressional appropriation 

 is used by the small headquarters unit located in Washington, D. C. However, it is of 

 paramount importance to retain this identifiable unit for purposes of coordination and for 

 leadership on national issues of the Secretary and Congress. Without such national 

 coordination and leadership, it would be extremely difficult to recognize a National 

 Cooperative Extension System. 



■ The Cooperative Extension System (CES) is an education network centered in the 

 nation's land-grant universities that provides research-based practical education 

 applied to the complex problems of America's families, communities, agriculture, 

 business, and industry. 



■ Established by Congress in 1914, the nationwide system operates as a unique 

 partnership of the Federal government, the Nation's 72 land-grant colleges and 

 universities (including 17 historically black institutions), and the more than 3,(X)0 

 counties, with funding from Federal, state, and local governments. 



■ Cooperative Extension faculty and staff are professionals engaged in nonformal 

 education programs that address social, economic, environmental, and technical 

 concerns of the people. CES faculty and staff efforts are multiplied by the work 

 of more than three million volunteers across the country. 



■ Extension educational priorities and initiatives are set by elected and appointed 

 representative bodies at the local, state, and national levels. General areas of 

 emphasis are established, with regular review as needs change. All three partners 

 exert influence on programs and help determine priorities, with active 

 involvement of the public, to meet their particular needs. i 



Extension programs are carried out by each of the land-grant colleges and 

 universities to respond to the needs of the people of the state; local staff develop 

 educational programs appropriate to the unique problems of their areas. 



