Iowa State University Extension celebrated its' 100 years of success in 2003. In 1903, the "extension idea" was initiated by a group of Sioux County farmers asking if Iowa State College corn planting research was applicable in northwest Iowa. Before long, this idea of reaching out into the communities spread to include education to all ages of Iowans in all parts of the state.

See how much you know about our history.  Answers are at the bottom of the page.

The Beginnings of Extension

Question A. Why did Iowa State University Extension celebrating its 100th birthday in 2003?

1. Corn trains with Iowa State College professors toured Southwest Iowa teaching farmers about raising corn in 1903.
2. A farmer in Sioux Co. and Iowa State College established the nation's first county cooperative experimental farm in 1903.
3. 4-H clubs were started in Adair County, Iowa in 1903.
4. Legislation was passed to form extension programs.

Question B. To which man does Iowa State University Extension trace its roots?

1. William Beardshear
2. R. K. Bliss
3. Perry Holden
4. Theodore Roosevelt

Question C. Which year was the Smith-Lever Act passed that brought together federal, state and county governments to form Cooperative Extension nationwide?

1. 1903
2. 1910
3. 1914
4. 1920

The Beginnings of Extension in Polk County

Question D. What was the name of the first organization under which Polk Co. Extension was formed?

1. Polk County Improvement Association
2. Farm Improvement Association of Polk County
3. Farm Bureau of Polk County
4. Polk County Extension

Question E. Where were the annual meetings of the organization held during the first several years?\

1. Federal Building
2. Iowa State Fairgrounds
3. East Des Moines Business Men's Club
4. Polk County Courthouse

Question F. Who was the first county agent (agriculture) hired in 1916?

1. Don Merrill
2. Carl Kennedy
3. M.H. Fedderson
4. Claude Halderman

Question G.  A Liberty Kitchen was set up in which downtown Des Moines business during World War I?

1. Younkers Brothers Department Store
2. Iowa Methodist Hospital 
3. The Des Moines Register
4. Employers Mutual

Question H. How was the women's program carried out during the 1920s and 1930s?

1. Volunteers trained by a state extension specialist held meetings in each of their townships.
2. A county home demonstration agent taught classes and trained volunteers who in turn taught others.
3. A county home demonstration agent trained volunteers who in turn taught other women in their township.
4. Only extension agriculture and 4-H programs were carried out during this time.

Question I.  Which one of the following types of farm organization was not formed in the early days of Extension's involvement in the county? 

1. Dairy marketing
2. Hail insurance
3. Life insurance
4. Livestock breeders

The Middle Years

Question J. In 1940 members of which royal family visited the farms of Polk County?

1. Windsor of England
2. Hapsberg of Austria Hungry
3. Hirohito of Japan
4. Gustov of Sweden

Question K. Which year did Farm Bureau and Extension separate into two distinct organizations?

1. 1952
2. 1953
3. 1954
4. 1955

Question L. Both the Polk County Farm Bureau and Polk County Extension passed resolutions to:

1. Oppose the Korean War
2. Oppose daylight savings time
3. Oppose the paving of township roads
4. Oppose the consolidation of rural schools

Question M.  This statement, "There has been a lack of understanding between parents and teenagers. Both parent and teenager need to understand one another." Describes the need for an Extension Family Life program in which year?

1. 1940
2. 1950
3. 1960
4. 1970

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Answers: A-2; B-3; C-3; D-2; E-3; F-2; G-1; H-1; I-3; J-2; K-4; L-2; M-1