Land grant universities, including OSU, have embraced a culture of extending the knowledge base of the institution to people who are able to benefit from its application. The Extension system was formalized as a land-grant university function with the passage of the Smith-Lever Act in 1914. Soon thereafter, land-grant universities established links with residents though the creation of Extension offices located in every county of the state. County Extension offices and staff were to serve as the educational link to the land-grant university that reached out to extend knowledge and to serve the needs and interests of the industrial class. Agriculture, home economics and mechanization were the primary focus of Extension systems when first created. However, Extension has broadened its programmatic focus to address societal problems and issues on a broader scale.
One implication resulting from the expanded scope of Extension programs is increased diversity among the target audience. Although early Extension programs focused predominantly on farmers and homemakers, Extension now embraces the concept of serving all residents without preference. Anyone who can potentially use, apply, and benefit from information provided through Extension is viewed as a member of the target audience. Coinciding with the reality that audience diversity has increased, Extension professionals therefore need to adapt their program offerings to accommodate the needs and interests of a more diverse clientele.
Administrative leadership of County Extension Directors is not only involved with planning, budgeting, staffing, and evaluation functions; but also for guiding, directing, coaching and mentoring professional colleagues and support staff. Leadership may