The Cooperative Extension Service in Michigan 1940 to 1980

wenty five years after passage of the Smith -Lever Act in 1914, the pioneers of the Michigan Cooperative Extension Service looked back on their first quarter century. Assistant Director Karl McDonel documented the "History of Cooperative Extension Work in Michigan, 1914-1939:' The history was published as Extension Bulletin 229 in 1941.

Seventy years after the Smith -Lever Act, "Plus Two Score" summarizes Michigan Extension history from 1940 to 1980. Smith -Lever itself provided the springboard and continuing support for the unique educational effort that has left indelible imprints on rural and urban Michigan, touching the lives of millions throughout the state. New-10:84-4M -WP- KMF

APR33

Cooperative Extension Service Michigan State University

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ES

COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE

MSU is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Institution. Cooperative Extension Service programs are open to all with- out regard to race, color, national origin, sex, or handicap. Issued in furtherance of cooperative extension work in agricul- ture and home economics, acts of May 8, and June 30,1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Gordon E. Guyer, Director, Cooperative Extension Service, Michigan State University, E. Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for education purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorse- ment by the Cooperative Extension Service or bias against those not mentioned. This bulletin becomes public property upon publication and may be reprinted verbatim as a separate or within another publication with credit to MSU. Reprinting cannot be used to endorse or advertise a commercial product or company.

II The Cooperative Extension Service in Michigan 1940 to 1980

Einer Olstrom

Howard Miller

1984

III About the Authors:

~wo Score chronicles the highlights of the Extension Service in l.~c~igan through four decades. It is the magnum opus of two retired staff members who lived through much of what is now history. These few pages cannot completely document the dedicated work of some 2,000 Extension workers who served over the 40-year span. Nor will it capture the contributions of thousands of volunteer leaders who helped demonstrate the true genius of Extension.

Einer Olstrom was with the Extension Service in Michigan for 12 years. After 10 years as a 4-H and county agricultural agent, he became a district supervisor in Northern Michigan. A Michigan native and Michigan State graduate, for more than 20 years he was on the MSU campus as an Extension supervisor, district director, program leader and director. He retired in 11)i7 as assistant Extension director for Natural Resources -Public Policy programs.

Howard Millercame to Michigan after ten years as an Ohio Extension agent. After earning his third degree at Ohio State, he joined the information services staff in 11)59. He was Extension -Rcscarch Information editor and, later, project leader. In 196H he assumed leadership for the Extension Management Information System. He held this post with the CES administrative staff until retirement in 1981.

TIll' l-r.un rr u-r , (fl1m left - l'Llitpr, n(\llal~1 (,regg; authors. Eincr UI,tr<'ll1 'ltlel Howur.! \Idler; ,,,,,,Lint,, "elk Bartlett and Linda Dansl-v,

IV =--=----=-- -~==::-=------=------==--=-=--=---=------Grateful Acknowledgements:

Kelly Bartlett, MSU graduate student, spent countless hours researching hundreds of names, verifying dates and extracting historical bits from the University Archives, references, reports and 40 years of issues of the Extension Service News and its successor, The Communicator.

Linda Dansby typed, retyped and typed again all the names that make up Extension's history and the frequently revised drafts of the manuscript which were generated over more than two years.

"Elder Statesmen and Women" of the Extension Service gave advice and suggestions, helped dispel some of the haze of history, read early drafts and provided encouragement for the completion of this 40-year sequel. All were part of the history unfolding on these pages.

Herbert A. Berg, assistant director from 1944 to 1964, kept meticulous "personnel books" which formed the basis of much of the content of this history.

Helen Stophlet, state Extension staff secretary, kept personnel records "for years" with Herb Berg, continuing after his retirement in 1964 until she retired in October 1978.

Don Gregg, retired Extension bulletin editor, edited the manuscript; and Ken Fettig, associate editor; Leslie McConkey, assistant editor; Doris Steinhardt, secretary; and Terry O'Connor, graphic designer, all of ANR information services, performed the myriad tasks of moving the manuscript into print.

Epsilon Sigma Phi (Michigan Alpha Psi chapter) gave continuing moral support and encouragement to this undertaking. Department of Agricultural and Extension Education under Carroll "Jake" Wamhoff provided supplies, copy machine and work space with a cooperative, friendly atmosphere. Director Gordon E. Guyer and office staff provided financial support and helpful encouragement.

Countless and unnamed Extension employees supported the idea of a history and cooperated in its accomplishment.

v ---~------. - ... ------

--- A WORD TO THE READER...

the Table of Contents indicate, the decades from 1940 to 1980 provide the structure of the two score years of history. Each chapter briefly describes the setting, the situation, the prevailing Aconditions and events that characterized the decade. Then there is an unfolding of each "program area;' and related developments are recounted in what may appear. to be repetitive detail. Those who read this history may be struck by this seeming repetition among chapters and sections. We ask your indulgence. Lacking a strategy, the selective reader might fail to capture the highlights of any one period or that of a program area within a decade. It is patently evident that CES had no scheme for a bold "Ten Year Plan:' Each chapter is designed to stand by itself. Even with this attempt at comprehensive coverage, we recognize that We may have missed names and events. In addition to exercising editorial prerogatives, we were also often limited by availability of documentation ... the omnipresent Extension annual reports notwithstanding. his has been an effort to chronicle an accurate and interesting T story of the 40 years of Extension in Michigan since 1939. We have tried to feature the many dedicated Extension workers who made the story possible. As a bonus we have listed the names of some 3,000 persons who served with CES since the very beginning in 1914. We trust that these pages evoke the memories of a colorful and rewarding past, sharpen a clearer focus on the present and inspire a broad vision of the future for the Cooperative Extension Service in Michigan ...... The Authors

.------VI ~--- -=- Contents

About the Authors IV

A word to the reader VI

Prologue 1

Extension in a World at War: the 1940's 7

The Centennial Years: 1950-1959 43

Troubled Times: from Stability to Explosion - 1960's 87

The 1970's: Continuing Growth in Crisis and Challenge 143

Chronology of Extension 193

Directors 211

All Personnel 225

Roster of Extension 233

VII

ROLOGUE TO FOUR DECADES OF EXTENSION

--

n 1940, leaders of Michigan's Extension Service looked back on a quarter century of educational accomplishments. IAs the decade of the forties began, Assistant Director Karl H. McDonel (among others) authored a "History of Cooperative Extension Work in Michigan, 1914-1939." The publication carried no author byline and was published simply as "Extension Bulletin 229-June 1941." It has become a collector's item. The book's opening paragraph commented: "In a quarter century of Extension Service ... there still is need to look back to the year 1849 for the beginnings of America's first agricultural college." In that year, famous for the California gold rush, the Hon. H.E. Lathrop addressed the state agricultural society with a plea that attention be paid to farmers' sons of the state. He estimated that four-fifths of Michigan's youth would pursue agriculture as a life's work. That stirred the rural population to support the founding of Michigan Agricultural College in 1855. That early educational effort at East Lansing has continued for more than 125 years. Growth came slowly in the first decades, and in 50 years only 1,338 graduates had earned degrees from the newly created Michigan Agricultural College (MAC). In' the second half century ending in 1955, more than 43,000 received degrees from the state's land-grant institution. But the new college also was to have an outreach dimension. Rural people were asking how new knowledge generated at the college could be transferred to farm families across the state. MAC staff recognized the need. In 1911, President Robert S. Shaw appointed Robert J. Baldwin "Superintendent of Agricultural Extension" to extend research findings beyond the campus boundaries. The next year, H.G. Smith was employed as the first "county agent" in Alpena. Within a year, a dozen more were hired in other Michigan counties. Eben Mumford became the state leader of county agents. Passage of the federal Smith-Lever Act was still a year away. As the impetus for off-campus programs got in motion, the president of the Upper Peninsula Grange Association published a leaflet, "Why a County Agricultural Agent?" In the booklet, I.W. Byers posed the proposition: "Farmers have doctors, dentists, veterinarians, lawyers, and preachers for their needs. Yet a farmer has no one to consult if his potatoes get blight, apple trees die, or if his soil gets sick!" The Grange leader listed ten problems that needed attention. He believed "the county agriculturalist" could provide answers. It is interesting to note that some problems would still remain on a list 70 years later! Byers' list of educational concerns included: • Drift of population to the cities • Exhaustion of the soil • Abandoned farms and absentee landowners • Farm markets • Farm credit • Comforts for farm life • Social life among the farmers • Trained leaders of men • Cooperation • Farm organizations

------3 ----

Birth of an Idea

s World War I was about to break out in Europe, A President Woodrow Wilson signed the Smith-Lever Act creating the Extension Service. It was May 1914. A new concept was born. The federal government and states would cooperatively support an educational effort through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the nation's land- grant colleges. Michigan's first state-federal appropriation for Extension work in 1914-15 was $26,000. After 25 years, annual funds for the Extension Service exceeded half a million dollars. But the Depression exacted a toll. Total funds for Extension were over $800,000 per year in the early thirties. Then came budget cuts. But, with World War II at hand, funds were restored as the Extension Service played key roles in mobilizing the home front for the war effort. Since 1948, Extension budgets have increased by nearly half a million dollars per year. By 1980, the total Michigan budget had exceeded $20 million in federal, state and county funds. Farm organizations were dedicated supporters for the establishment of the Cooperative Extension Service in the state. Both the Grange and Michigan Farm Bureau gave vigorous backing to Michigan State College in the organization of an Extension division. The Farm Bureau contributed financially to Extension work and by 1921 budgeted more than $800,000-a figure greater than both state and county appropriations. It became evident that such shared funding would bring conflict. By mutual agreement, Farm Bureau funding was ultimately withdrawn. Clark Brody, secretary-manager of the Farm Bureau, had been a county agricultural agent in St. Clair County. He recognized the limitations of the Smith-Lever Act and championed additional support for carrying out Extension work. Brody was also a member of the State Board of Agriculture, the college's governing- board, for nearly 30 years. This enabled the shift in funding with minimal problems. By the late 1920's, major funding for Extension came from state and county appropriations. Financial arrangements with Farm Bureau continued in some states for more than 20 years. All were formally discontinued in the 1930's. Starting in 1936, salaries of all county staff were paid from state and federal funds. Agriculture Leads the Way arly Extension work was organized by projects. E Agriculture was the major emphasis. In addition to traditional programs in improving crop and livestock production, other projects ranged from farm management to soil conservation, corn borer and chinch bug control. After the appointment of H.G. Smith as agriculture agent in Alpena County in 1912, others were to follow. Allegan, Branch, Genesee, Houghton, Iron, Newaygo, Saginaw and Van Buren

4 ------_.

all had an agricultural agent prior to passage of the Smith-Lever Act. By 1920, an agent was available to every Michigan county. State agent leader Eben Mumford was the campus contact from 1912 until his death in 1921. Hale Tennant, Roswell Carr and C.Y. "Clint" Ballard followed as leaders of agricultural programs. By 1940, agricultural agents were in 73 county offices, and campus specialists were in 13 college departments. Extension work began in MAC's School of Agriculture. Even today, the Cooperative Extension Service continues to be administered in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. But many educational programs reach far beyond a single college or only minimally relate to farming. Over more than 65 years, the major focus of Extension work has continued to be in agriculture, home economics and youth development. Program titles have frequently changed, but major audiences of farmers, families and young people have remained. Service to families began as "Home Demonstration Work" in 1915 and expanded during World War I, which had created a national emergency food situation. Most of the first "Home Demonstration Agents," as Extension home economists were then called, were appointed in 1917 when the U.S entered the war. Michigan's first agent was Ilene M. Bailey in St. Joseph County. Appointments followed shortly in Genesee, Iron, Kent, Marquette, Ontonagon, Ottawa and St. Clair. By 1920, 28 counties were staffed with at least part-time demonstration agents. Paulina E. Raven and Edna Y. Smith were the program's first state leaders. Early projects with farm and rural families centered on foods and nutrition, health, home furnishings, home management and child care.

4-H club work in the state traces its beginnings to 1908. A Muskegon congressman, J.C. McLaughlin, was instrumental in fostering Michigan's first boys' and girls' agricultural clubs. He initiated the early corn-growing contests in west Michigan counties. By the end of the 1930's, yearly enrollments surpassed 50,000. After the passage of the Smith-Lever Act, Boys' and Girls' Club Work became a part of MAC's new Extension division. E.C. Lindeman was appointed the first state leader October 1, 1914. The first youth agents were in Bay, Barry, Clinton, Delta, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Houghton, Huron, Ionia, Kent, Marquette, Menominee, Muskegon, Ottawa and Wayne. All were appointed in 1917. A young MAC graduate, Arne G. "Kett" Kettunen, became a state poultry club leader for youngsters in 1917. He had earlier served as a 4-H agent in Houghton County. "Kett" went on to spend nearly 40 years with Extension youth programs. Nationally known, he retired in 1956 after 31 years as state leader of 4-H club work. The Test of Hard Times xtension's first 25 years ended in the Depression thirties. E Devastating drought and economic collapse in the early part of the decade plunged rural America into unprecedented hardships along with the entire country. Extension staff were highly involved with "New Deal" programs aimed at national recovery. The Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA) of 1933 was

------5 the first of numerous efforts designed to adjust farm production and bolster farm income. When the Act was declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court, Congress enacted the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act of 1939. The Depression years were not without impact on the Extension Service. As the economy faltered, there were severe curtailments in public funded programs. County offices were closed. Staff numbers were reduced. Salary cuts were frequent. But as gradual recovery came, programs were restored. The federal Bankhead-Somer Act of 1935 provided additional dollars for Extension work. At the end of 1939, the field staff included 73 agricultural agents, 20 home demonstration agents and an equal number of 4-H club agents. To carry out local efforts, "ag" agents frequently wore three hats to direct agriculture, home economics, and youth programs. As the thirties drew to a close, war clouds once again gathered over Europe as they had at the dawn of Extension. Farm production curbs now were dramatically shifted to an all- out effort spearheaded by the slogan, "Food will win the war." Despite assurances of U.S. neutrality, in December 1941 the nation entered hostilities against Germany and Japan that were to continue four long years. John A. Hannah had just assumed the presidency of MAC. Both students and staff were called into military service. The Extension Service was to face severe testing on ability to organize and deliver educational programs. This is prologue for the ensuing four decades-which will recount educational accomplishments, an agricultural revolution and the emergence into a space and "hi-tech" age.

- --- -~~~~~~~~~~~~-- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~- 6 .....--xtension• • In a World at War

7

s the decade of the 1940's began, some indelible marks in history were destined for the Cooperative Extension A Service. War had erupted in Europe. The U.S. was inescapably affected hy hostilities abroad despite declarations of neutrality. As the nation slowly emerged from a devastating economic depression, the uncertainties ahead swept President Franklin D. Roosevelt into an unprecedented third term. In 1940, when the first conscription for a military draft began, Extension Director R.J. Baldwin's 26th annual report in mid- 1940 offered no hint of war mohilization. Then came the Japanese attack on Pearl Harhor. In December 1941, America was at war in global conflict on two fronts. You ng men who had departed for the armed forces to the strain of "Goodbye Dear, I'll be Back in a Year" were now committed to tenuous service which specified "the duration plus six months."

On the East Lansing campus, an MSC student hody of 6,000 was soon decimated hy the military draft, enlistments, return to the farm or easily available employment. Robert S. Shaw, who had served the college as president and dean of agriculture si nee F,Ct'nqon ,llil7l11l/\[T(HU7\ (/11(/ ('ullc~l' oj 1908, was preparing to retire. July I, 1941, John A. Hannah, .-\L;lldd!!tr( "(dff ot the I,He Il}-J(l\, St'dkd once an Extension poultry specialist and later secretary to the d!'ulmd the t'n,l of rhl' [dill" lire, Ide Co nl!hr

State Board of Agriculture, was named the college's twelfth J~()\ \l'}Wl'rJllldlln, Al j. ~'t'ttwlL'n, (_'fmc president to succeed Dr. Shaw. He was to provide leadership 1l"I/"ld. I(dr/ .\k[)""c'l, iJ'lc'dm IU that would span nearly three decades and see Michigan State HdLilt m , l ;l'IJr~t' Ihol( 11,dId ('h,nic' h(\ attain eminence as one of the nation's major universities. In the ,,' '\IIlA

9 transition, Karl McDanel, who was assistant to Extension Director Baldwin, was named board secretary to replace Hannah. Roy A. Decker became the new assistant director. In 1940, few could foresee that a campus which overlooked farms across the Red Cedar River would have more than 20,000 students in less than ten years. In the war-time decade, Director Baldwin would turn over the reins of the Cooperative Extension Service after heading the off-campu