By Kate Wilhite, College of Agricultural, Human & Natural Resource Sciences
PULLMAN, Wash. – Doc Hastings, a Washington representative in the U.S. Congress, has added his voice to a Washington State University story project honoring the 100th anniversary of the Smith-Lever Act, which established the Cooperative Extension Service.
“WSU Extension, in its partnership with farmers and rural communities, has made our state one of the most successful agricultural regions in the world,” Hastings said in a video posted on the anniversary website, http://ext100.wsu.edu.
Hastings has served the state’s 4th District (central Washington) since 1995 and is chair of the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources. He extolled WSU Extension’s accomplishments over the past century, including its help in launching the state’s $8.6 billion wine industry.
“Congressman Hastings continues to be a stalwart supporter of agriculture in the Columbia Basin, and we appreciate the opportunity to stand beside him in delivering research-based information from WSU to producers in his district,” said Rich Koenig, associate dean of the College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences and director of WSU Extension. “We thank him for helping us mark the 100th anniversary of WSU Extension.”
Hastings’ video is part of the Voices of Extension 100th Anniversary Story Project. The project invites WSU students, faculty, staff and friends to share how WSU Extension programs, services and people have enriched their lives. Visit http://ext100.wsu.edu/anniversary/storyproject to learn more.
The Cooperative Extension Service partners with more than 100 universities across the country to extend research-based knowledge through a state-by-state network of extension educators. In Washington, WSU Extension offices in all 39 counties offer educational, research-based programs that help improve human health and well-being, agriculture, the environment and communities.
Contacts:
Kate Wilhite, WSU CAHNRS communications, 509-335-8164, kate.wilhite@wsu.edu
Mariah Luft, WSU government relations, 202-772-5561, mariah.luft@wsu.edu