Mission Statement

Washington State University Cooperative Extension helps people develop leadership skills and use research-based knowledge to improve their economic status and quality of life.

Department Function

Cooperative Extension identifies local needs and uses research-based information and experiential learning activities to provide educational opportunities for the people. Twelve WSU Extension Faculty Educators and staff work as a team in Douglas County. More than 355 WSU volunteers serve as Master Gardeners, Food Safety Advisors, Families Have Choices volunteers and 4-H club leaders.

Educational programs emphasize sustaining agriculture and natural resources, food safety and health, capacity building in families and youth, environmental stewardship and community and economic vitality.

WSU Cooperative Extension is a 3-way partnership between federal, state and county governments. These "cooperative arrangements" began with the Morrill Act of 1862, which established the federal land grant philosophy of high education under which Washington State University was organized. Cooperative Extension was established in Douglas County is 1914.