U of M celebrates 150 years of land-grant mission
In the early 1900s, boys and girls were given improved "Minnesota 13" corn seeds from the University Farm while participating in "corn club" contests.
This year marks the 150th anniversary of the Morrill Act of 1862, legislation that allowed for the creation of the nation's land-grant colleges and universities.
Under the act, signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War, each eligible state received federal land to be used toward establishing and funding the educational institutions.
Today, the University of Minnesota is part of the national network of land-grant institutions with a mission to address critical public issues through teaching, research and outreach.
Extension delivers on the University's land-grant mission, working with Minnesotans to address important issues and creating a better world for future generations by:
- Improving our environment
- Keeping food safe and affordable
- Ensuring Minnesota communities are strong
- Helping families make better decisions
- Preparing youth to be tomorrow's leaders
Through the decades, Minnesotans have turned to Extension for help improving their lives. Extension research and education made a difference as they struggled to feed their children during the Great Depression, learned how to grow victory gardens during World War II, fought off bankruptcy during the farm crisis of the 1980s, and battle childhood obesity today.
From Warroad to the White Earth Reservation to Winona, Extension extends the reach of the University into every corner of the state, making the land-grant mission as vital and strong in 2012 as it was in 1862.
For stories and videos about how the U's land-grant mission has strengthened Minnesota, visit Extension History.