NDSU Agriculture

NDSU Agriculture. . , North Dakota State University is a land-grant institution, created under the Morrill Act of 1862. From its establishment in 1890, its mission has included research and education in scientific agriculture to benefit the public as well as students. , The Agriculture Experiment Station was part of North Dakota Agriculture College at its birth, benefitting both the federal Hatch Act of 1887 that provided funds for states creating an experiment station attached to their land-grant college. , The NDAC faculty conducted extension-type outreach activities from the time the college was established. Researchers like C.B. Waldron, Henry Bolley and Edwin Ladd provided service to the public through bulletins, farmers institutes and demonstrations, identifying weeds, insects or diseases, soil and water testing, and testing seed for germination. , The Smith-Lever Act in 1914 created the Cooperative Extension System, a unique relationship involving federal, state and county funding and programming. Under the new system the NDSU Extension Service grew to cover every county in the state with agents in agriculture, natural resources, nutrition, 4-H and youth, and family sciences. In the 21st century, research and extension at NDSU continue the land-grant mission and tradition. Researchers at the main station in Fargo and at research extension centers across the state conduct basic and applied research, including crop varieties, livestock production, disease and pest control and biotechnology. Extension specialists from NDSU and the regional centers provide research-based information and education to the public, including crop and livestock production systems, farm and family economics, nutrition and human development.