Historical Timeline | Extension | University of Nevada, Reno

1862

President Abraham Lincoln signed the Morrill Act, establishing the land-grant university system. This system aims to make higher education accessible to all Americans and promote practical studies such as agriculture and mechanical arts.

U.S. Congressman from Vermont Justin Morrill led the passage of the legislation that established the land-grant institutions for each state.

1874

The University of Nevada was founded as the state’s land-grant university in Elko, Nevada. A focus on providing practical education began, aligning with the vision of the Morrill Act to serve the needs of Nevada’s citizens.

A black and white photo of the University Preparatory School in Elko, Nevada, a multi-story building with arches on the roof and steeples.

1914

Smith-Lever Act - Federal legislation establishes Agricultural Extension Service as federal-state-county partnership. Mission: To diffuse useful and practical information in agriculture and home economics.
The new organization becomes part of the College of Agriculture in Nevada
Norma Davis begins homemaking and 4-H youth education.

(left) Ag Extension agent and youth pose by an auto.
(middle) A group of people learn how to sew.
(right) Norma Davis (seated) poses with 4-H youth.

1916

Enrollment grows to 800 youth. Ag agents and home demonstrators work in Lyon, Washoe, Elko, Douglas and Clark counties.

Cover of an Agricultural Extension publication

1916

1^st Ag Agent in the north Joe Wilson serves in Central and Northern Nevada until 1946
1^st Ag Agent in the south Carl Vinson begins youth, horticulture and agriculture education.

Historic photo: Group of people pictured.

(left) Joe Wilson interacts at the state fair. (right) Carl Vinson teaches a group of people.

World War I - 1916

There is a focus on horticulture education for canning and health. Crop and livestock production expands. Sanitation improves in homes.

Four 4-H participants show off their projects.

1919

The Nevada Legislature adopts a one-mil tax to support Extension. Extension partners with the Nevada Farm Bureau.

Group of people looking at an old piece of farm equipment.

A group of people look at a piece of farm equipment.

1920s

Youth enrollment soars as Extension education enters public schools.
Ag production expands cattle to 500,000. Sheep numbers reach 1,000,000.

(left) Girl standing in front of a tree. (right) Cover of The Nevada Junior 4-H Club Baby Beef Book

1921

Cecil Creel becomes dean/director. Creel serves from 1921 to 1952, and runs for U.S. Senate in 1942. "The Extension Worker's Code," by T.J. Talbert, governs educators' behavior

Cecil Creel

Late 1920s

Nutrition education helps underweight children "grow".

Group of children sitting in front of building.

Early 1930s

Home demonstration agents step up efforts to improve nutrition in families with low incomes.
Home demonstration agents publish bulletins to help improve nutrition.

(left) Extension agent visiting rural communities. (right) Cover of old publcation - Sixty ways of using carrots.

Late 1930s

District Agent Orpha Miller enhances nutrition in the southern part of the state.
4-H youth show and sell animals at California livestock shows.

(left) Person in front of 'Spirit of St. Louis' airplane. (right) An adult and children pose with a cow at a livestock show.

1938

Tom Buckman, Extension assistant director, negotiates with the Park and Rabe families and the Nevada Farm Bureau for a 4-H Camp. This valuable strip of land became University property and a permanent campsite at Lake Tahoe.

The entrance to the 4-H camp at Lake Tahoe, Nevada, would be enjoyed by youth for decades to come.

1939

The 1^st annual Nevada Junior Livestock Show was held in Reno.

Young man holding trophy and prize winning calf.

A young man holds a trophy and shows off his prize-winning calf.

During World War II

Extension is named the official agency of education for farmers and homemakers. Program priorities shift toward national security.
Nutrition educators enhance victory gardens.

Collection of images, postcards and letter send during WWII

(left) A collection of images and postcards during WWII are shown. (right) People work in a victory garden in 1945.

4-H During World War II

The 1942 4-H newsletter reported on the wartime efforts, “Happy Harmonizers” collected materials, and clubs prepared members to serve their country.
4-H clubs join in the war effort, the Douglas County 4-H Club brought in enough scrap iron to build four tanks for the Armed Forces!

(left) Cover page of the Happy Harmonizers. (right) A group of Douglas County 4-H Club members pose for a photo.

1945

The College of Agriculture, Agricultural Experiment Station and Extension were united under one dean and director, Cecil Creel.

Frandsen Hall is home to the three units until 1956.

1947

Agronomist Kirk Day serves in Humboldt County brings electricity to ranchers, upgrades irrigation systems, promotes seed production and vaccinates calves.

(left) Day serves in Humboldt County from 1947 to 1976. (right) An irrigation ditch is installed in Humboldt County.

1958

Agronomist Ed Jensen begins testing alfalfa varieties.
Ferrin Bunker serves as Las Vegas agent and as a former 4-H member, he develops the youth programs, as well as horticulture and family education.

(left to right) Ed Jensen, Ferrin Bunker

1960s

Ag agent A.Z. Joy tests pellet to protect sheep.
Extension home economists use TV as an education delivery method.

Home economists prepare to film a food preparation demonstration.

Late 1960s

Linn Mills begins horticulture education in the southern part of the state.
Dick Post delivers horticulture education in the northern part of the state.
Wayne Johnson delivers horticulture and weed education.
Dean/Director Dale Bohmont serves until 1981.

(left to right) Linn Mills, Dick Post, Wayne Johnson & Dale Bohmont

1970s

The Master Gardeners Program began providing free, research-based horticulture information tailored to Nevada's challenging soils and climate for home gardeners across the state.
Cattlemen's Update began providing ranchers with current, research-based information about issues that may affect their businesses and Nevada's cattle industry.

(left) Three people pot plants.
(right) A rancher rounds up cattle in Elko County.

1980s

The 1982 Western Region 4-H Leadership Conference was an opportunity for education and some fun.

The 4-H leadership team enjoys posing for the camera.

1980s

Livestock Specialist Ron Torell educates youth and ranchers to produce a healthier product for consumers.
Bob Morris and Dale Devitt conduct education and research in Las Vegas.
Dean/Director Bernard Jones from 1982 to 1998.

(left to right) Ron Torell, Dale Devitt and Bernard Jones

1980s

4-H Stayin’ Alive, an urban Las Vegas latchkey program, has more than 3,500 youth participants.
The 1^st Project MAGIC juvenile offender program in Elko in 1989.

group of kids particpating in project magic

(left) Teacher sitting with some students. (right) Five youth stand on top of a rock sculpture, with Project MAGIC Director Marilyn Smiith in front.

1980s

Tom Harris helps rural communities with diversification of their economies.
Sally Kees Martin develops youth and family curricula for 30 years.

(left to right) Tom Harris, Sally Martin

1990s

Karen Hinton is hired as the first woman director of Extension and serves from 1998 to 2012.
The Nevada System of Higher Education’s Board of Regents recognizes Cooperative Extension as a separate college.

(left) Karen Hinton. (right) The Extension headquarters were located on campus inside the Judicial College Building.

1990s

The University Center for Economic Development opened its doors.
The Living With Fire program is created with the Sierra Front Wildfire Cooperators and 12 Nevada/California firefighting agencies cooperating.
A fruit research and demonstration orchard was established in North Las Vegas.

(left) Tom Harris served as the director of University Center for Economic Development. (right) Houses burn during Poeville Fire in Reno, Nevada.

Early 2000s

Award-winning NEMO Nevada (Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials) is an educational program for land-use decision-makers addressing the relationship between land-use and water resource protection.
Extension Coffee Shop is a national award-winning program that reaches producers in Nevada, California, Oregon, Idaho and Utah.

(leff) A NEMO workshop is held at Derby Dam on the Truckee River. (right) Ranchers gathered at the Gund Ranch to discuss range management.

Mid 2000s

The Lake Tahoe Environmental Education Coalition was formed and held conferences and special events, and produced 154 episodes of the "Lake Tahoe Report."
The Nevada Range Management School launched, providing a combination of sound science and common sense to Nevada's land managers and producers.
The Las Vegas Paradise Road facility built.

(left) John Cobourn demonstrates how a watershed works at the Children’s Environmental Science Day at Lake Tahoe. (right) Brad Shultz teaches young ranchers about range management.

Late 2000s

The Nevada Radon program is launched.
The Nevada Naturalist Program was initiated to create a corps of volunteers educated in natural resources and environmental issues affecting southern Nevada.

(left) Extension provides free radon test kits. (right) Students completing a project on yucca plants in Southern Nevada.

Early 2010s

Beginning Farmer and Rancher Project was launched to increase participation in USDA programs, including farm loan purchases, entering new markets, starting and sustaining an agricultural operation, and entering into land leases.
The Healthy Kids Festival kicks off in Las Vegas, offering music, activities and demonstrations.

(left) Participants in the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Project enjoy a tour stop at Sierra Shadows Lavender and Honey Farm. (right) A volunteer at the Healthy Kids Festival shares information with youth.

Mid 2010s

The Local Leaders' Institute launched, designed to enhance the knowledge of elected and appointed officials, government staff and other community leaders on the ins-and-outs of local government in Nevada.
Prickly pear cactus research began to test cacti as a viable biofuel and alternative food source.

(left) A leadership workshop is held in the Washoe County Extension office. (right) Volunteers and a researcher plant a field of Opuntia (prickly pear cactus).

Jerry Buk is hired as dean and director of Extension and serves from 2012 to 2013.
Mark Walker hired as dean and director of Extension from 2013 to 2017.
William Payne hired as dean of the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources.

(left to right)Jerry Buk, Mark Walker, Bill Payne

Late 2010s

Ivory Lyles is hired as the first African American director of Extension and serves from 2017 to 2021.
Nevada Economic Assessment Project (NEAP) was initiated.
The College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources consolidates with University of Nevada Cooperative Extension.

(left) Ivory Lyles. (right) Tonopah is among one of the rural communities that the Nevada Economic Assessment Project helped.

2020s

Jake DeDecker is hired as Extension director and associate dean for engagement.
Extension collaborates with Lincoln and Clark counties to provide 4-H youth programs at a facility in Alamo.

(left) Jake DeDecker. (right) This 72-acre property in Alamo, Nevada, about 100 miles north of Las Vegas, is now the 4-H Camp & Learning Center.