The Cooperative Extension Program at Prairie View A&M University is at the threshold of new endeavors, while continuing to fulfill the land grant mission of the institution.Dr. Linda Williams-Willis, dean of the College of Agriculture and Human Science and extension administrator, said, “The Cooperative Extension Program hires employees to take the information from the research and academic sectors of the college to the people of Texas.”
The Cooperative Extension Program is part of the College of Agriculture and Human Science. The college is separated into three sections. The first section is Academic, which includes the classroom and students hoping to achieve a degree from Prairie View A&M University. The second section is the Cooperative Extension, which deals with educating the rural communities of Texas. The last section of the college is the Cooperative Agriculture Research Center, which deals with the research aspect of the field.
According to The Journal of Negro Education, land grant colleges, like Prairie View, have an obligation by federal law to give back to the community around campus and statewide.
Physically located in the Carden Waller building on campus, the Cooperative Extension Program sends extension agents to many communities in Texas. The programs ran by the agents help anyone from farmers to high school students.
The Cooperative Extension Program is stretching their effort to rural communities in Texas. Williams-Willis said, “One agent, who is assigned to Star County, Hidalgo County, and Willacy County, has helped farmers obtain over $5 million in business loans.” She also said that another agent who works with the constituents of Bear County is helping the youth in that community develop business plans of their own. “We are talking about high school students running their own catering business,” said Williams-Willis.
Cooperative Extension Program takes part in giving back to the Texas communities and students on campus are pleased with their endeavors.
“I think the program is great, it shows that Prairie View gives back to the community,” said David Tatum, a sophomore architecture and construction science major.
Williams-Willis said, that without this program Prairie View will no longer fulfill the land grant obligation, and lose millions of dollars in research and its wonderful legacy.
“It is an honor for me to work in the College of Agriculture and Human Science,” said Williams- Willis.