[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 106 (Wednesday, July 9, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1123-E1124]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RUTGERS COOPERATIVE EXTENSION OF MORRIS COUNTY CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY

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                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 9, 2014

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Rutgers 
New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station Cooperative

[[Page E1124]]

Extension during the centennial year of the Smith-Lever Act.
  On May 8, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed the Smith-Lever Act, 
creating the Cooperative Extension. The Smith-Lever Act established a 
partnership among federal, state, and county governments, as well as 
the United States Department of Agriculture and land-grant 
universities, in order to provide educational opportunities for youths 
and adults concerning issues of agriculture. A state-by-state network 
of extension educators brings to the people science-based knowledge and 
research in areas such as agriculture, sustainability, environment, 
health, and nutrition.
  The Rutgers Agricultural Experiment Station Cooperative Extension 
uses this science-based knowledge and education to help New Jersey 
residents improve their lives and communities. The Cooperative 
Extension provides several programs for both young people and adults in 
areas such as healthy lifestyles, food safety and nutrition, 
environment and natural resources, and economic growth and agricultural 
sustainability in Essex, Morris, Passaic, Sussex and other counties in 
New Jersey.
  One of the areas focused on by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension is 
4-H Youth Development programs. Through educational outreach, Rutgers 
faculty and staff along with volunteers, bring their knowledge and 
expertise to the young people of New Jersey from kindergarten through 
high school and one year beyond. Among the 4-H programs are 4-H clubs, 
overnight camping trips, and afterschool child care education programs.
  In addition to 4-H youth development, the Cooperative Extension also 
delivers assistance, information, and consultation to businesses, 
residents, and government agencies through the Department of 
Agricultural and Resource Management Agents. Two of the department's 
major programs are Rutgers Master Gardner and the Environmental 
Stewards Program. The Rutgers Master Gardner program accepts volunteers 
and trains them to help the Cooperative Extension in its efforts to 
spread information to the public about horticulture. The Environmental 
Stewards Program trains and educates people so they can contribute in 
the effort to find solutions to environmental issues facing New Jersey 
communities.
  The Department of Family and Community Health Sciences is another 
branch of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension. Its mission is to promote 
healthy lifestyles for individuals, families, and groups in New Jersey. 
Through workshops and other resources, Family and Community Health 
Sciences bring information about nutrition, exercise, wellness, and 
family development to those communities that are involved. One major 
program run by this department is, ``Walk Point to Point NJ.'' Through 
this, the Cooperative Extension encourages young people and adults in 
New Jersey to walk, or do other physical activity, that would be the 
equivalent of traversing the entirety of the state.
  Through its many programs and divisions, the Rutgers Cooperative 
Extension, in conjunction with the Cooperative Extension network, 
provides assistance, research, education, and involvement opportunities 
for New Jersey residents so that they may be healthier and better 
informed about agriculture, sustainability, environment, health, and 
nutrition.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating 
the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station Cooperative 
Extension during the centennial year of the Smith-Lever Act.

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