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, who 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.

Historic photos: Old car used by extension agents.
Group of people learning how sewing.
Group of people sitting on old car that was used by extension.

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.

Historic photos: (left) Group of Joe Wilson pictured at the state fair. (right) Group of people in field in front of Carl teaching.

World War I - 1916

Horticulture education for canning and health. Crop and livestock production expands. Sanitation improves in homes

Historic photo: 4 kids leaning on fence.

1919

Nevada Legislature adopts one-mil tax. Extension partners with Farm Bureau.

Historic photo: Group of people looking at an old piece of farm equipment.

1920's

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

(left) Historic photo: 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. Serves from 1921 to 1952. Runs for U.S. Senate in 1942. "The Extension Worker's Code," by T.J. Talbert, governs educators' behavior.

Historic photo: Cecil Creel

Late 1920's

Nutrition education helps underweight children "grow"

Historic photo: Group of children sitting in front of building.

Early 1930's

Home demonstration agents step up efforts to improve nutrition in low-income families
Home demonstration agents publish bulletins to help improve nutrition

Historic photo: Old car (left)
Cover of old publcation - Sixty ways of using carrots (right)

Late 1930's

District Agent Orpha Miller enhances nutrition in the South
4-H youth show and sell animals at California livestock shows

Historic photos: Person in front of 'Spirit of St. Louis' airplane
Adult with 2 kids pictured with a cow at the livestock shows.

1938

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

Historic photos: Entrance to the 4-H camp at Lake Tahoe, Nevada

1939

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

Historic photo: Young man holding trophy and prize winning calf.

During World War II

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

Historic photos: Collection of images, postcards and letter send during WWII
and a victory garden 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, teh Douglas County club brought in enough scrap iron to build four tanks for the Armed Forces!

Historic photo: Cover page of the Happy Harmonizers
Group of Douglas County club members.

1945

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

Historic photo: Frandsen Hall 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.

Historic photos: Day serves in Humboldt County from 1947 to 1976
Installation of irrigation ditch 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.

Historic photos: Ed Jensen (left)
Ferrin Bunker (right)

1960's

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

Historic photo: Home economists preparing to film a food preparation demonstration.

Late 1960's

Linn Mills begins horticulture education in the South.
Dick Post delivers horticulture education in the North.
Wayne Johnson, renowned horticulturist and weed specialist.
Dean/Director Dale Bohmont serves till 1981. He encourages natural resources and community development programs.

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

1970's

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.

Historic photo: Three people working on potting plants.
Rancher rounding up cattle in Elko County, NV.

1980's

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

Historic photos: 4-H leadership team

1980's

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 (1982 to 1998).

Historic photos: (left to right) Ron Torell, Dale Devitt & Bernard Jones

1980's

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

group of kids particpating in project magic

Historic photo: Teacher sitting with some students.
Five youth standing on top of rock sculpture. Marilyn Smiith in front of it.

1980's

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

Historic photo: (left) Tom Harris (right) Sally Martin

1990's

First woman director of Extension hired (1998-2012).
The University of Nevada Board of Regents recognizes Cooperative Extension as a separate college.

Historic photos: (left to right) Karen Hinton, Director of Extension; Extension headquarters located inside the Judicial College Building.

1990's

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

Historic photos: (left to right) Director of UCED Tom Harris on TV; Houses burning during Poeville Fire in Reno, Nevada.

Early 2000's

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.

Historic photos: (left to right) NEMO workshop held at Derby Dam on the Truckee River; Ranchers gathered at the Gund Ranch to discuss range management.

Mid 2000's

Founding the Lake Tahoe Environmental Education Coalition," the team held conferences, 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.
Las Vegas Paradise Road facility built.

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

Late 2000's

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

Governor Sisolak proclaims January as Radon Action Month, Extension provides free radon test kits; Students completing a project on yucca plants in Southern Nevada.

Early 2010's

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.
Healthy Kids Festival kicks off in Las Vegas, offering music, activities, and demonstrations.

Historic photos: (left to right) Participants enjoyed a tour stop at Sierra Shadows Lavender and Honey Farm; A volunteer at the Healthy Kids Festival shares information with youth.

Mid 2010's

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.
Prickle Pear Cactus project started testing cacti as a viable biofuel and alternative food source.

Historic photos: (left to right) Leadership workshop held in the Washoe County Extension office; Volunteers and researcher planting a field of Opuntia.

Mark Walker hired as dean and director of Extension (2013-2017).
William Payne hired as dean of the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources.

Historic photos: (left to right) Interim Director and Associate Dean for Engagement Mark Walker; Dean of the College Bill Payne

Late 2010's

The first African American director of Extension hired (2017-2021).
Nevada Economic Assessment Project (NEAP) was initiated.
College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources consolidates with the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension.

Historic photos: (left to right) Director of Ivory Lyles; Tonopah is among one of the rural communities that the NEAP helped.

2020's

Jake DeDecker hired as Extension Director and Associate Dean for Engagement.
Extension collaborates with Lincoln and Clark counties to provide 4-H youth programs at facility in Alamo.

Historic photos: (left to right) Director of Extension Jake DeDecker; 72-acre property in Alamo, Nevada, about 100 miles north of Las Vegas, is now the 4-H Camp & Learning Center