Washington State University Extension

With more than 50 locations throughout the state and an office in each county, WSU Extension is the front porch of the University. Extension builds the capacity of individuals, organizations, businesses, and communities, empowering them to find solutions for local issues and to improve their quality of life. Extension brings the knowledge base of WSU to collaborate with communities to solve problems of local importance and to create a culture of life-long learning, and is recognized for its accessible, learner-centered, relevant, high-quality, unbiased educational programs.

A Brief History of Extension

Formally created by the Congressional Smith Lever Act of 1914 which recognized the need for a mechanism to extend the research-based knowledge of the Land Grant campus for practical application across the country, Washington State University Extension is part of the national Cooperative Extension System.
This long-standing partnership between USDA, WSU and our counties and tribal governments has evolved into the present-day statewide WSU Extension system. Today, programs focus on agriculture and natural resources, including the Master Gardener program, the Energy Program, and Food Systems Program; youth and family programs, including 4-H Youth Development; nutrition, food safety, and family-focused programs; and community and economic development. WSU Extension engages people, organizations, and communities to advance knowledge, economic well-being, and quality of life by fostering inquiry, learning, and the application of research.