Land-Grant University (LGU)
Land-grant universities were built on a simple idea: make college available to more people and use knowledge to improve everyday life.
- That idea became law in 1862 when President Abraham Lincoln signed the Morrill Act. It gave states federal land to help fund colleges teaching agriculture, engineering, and other practical fields.
- Founded in 1869 as Nebraska’s land-grant university, UNL carried that purpose forward. Its founding documents welcomed people regardless of “age, sex, color, or nationality.”
Today, UNL and Nebraska Extension continue that mission—bringing education, research, and practical solutions to people and communities across Nebraska.
Extension’s Place in the Land-Grant
The land-grant idea was never meant to stop at the university's campus.
Nebraska Extension takes the knowledge, research and expertise of the university and extends it into communities across Nebraska through education, research-based information, partnerships and local programs.
How Extension is Organized
A “North Star” to “boots on the ground” continuum.
- University of Nebraska System (NU) is our “North Star”, leading mission, values, and goals at the highest level of governance and strategic alignment.
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) role, mission, and values cultivates a clear direction in the pursuit of a lifetime of discovery, learning, and engagement.
- Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) strategic direction is positioned squarely at the nexus of food, energy, water, health, and community.
It’s important to point out that Extension Boards are included on the organizational chart. Your role is to work collaboratively with county offices and the County Board of Commissioners/Supervisors.
8 Program Areas + Disaster Education
EXTENSION PROGRAM AREA | UNIVERSITY CONNECTIONS (EXAMPLES) | WHAT THIS BRINGS TO COMMUNITIES |
| 4-H Youth Development | CEHS: Child, Youth and Family Studies; CASNR and other disciplines | Hands-on learning through Ag & Food Systems, College & Career Pathways, STEM, and Health & Wellness for youth. |
| Livestock Systems | CASNR: Animal Science; Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences | Research and education that support animal health, production, management and profitability. |
| Water & Cropping Systems | CASNR: Agronomy and Horticulture; School of Natural Resources; Plant Pathology | Practical solutions for crop production, water management, soil health and precision/digital emerging technologies. |
| Agricultural Profitability | CASNR: Agricultural Economics and related agricultural departments | Farm business decisions, risk management, financial planning and agricultural markets. |
| Horticulture, Landscape & Environmental Systems | CASNR: Agronomy and Horticulture; Entomology; School of Natural Resources | Education in gardening, landscaping, environmental stewardship and sustainable community spaces. |
| Health & Wellbeing | CEHS: Nutrition and Health Sciences; additional university health partners | Improving nutrition, food safety, healthy behaviors and community wellbeing. |
| Early Childhood | CEHS: Child, Youth and Family Studies | Supporting healthy child development, families and early childhood professionals. |
| Rural Prosperity Nebraska | CASNR: Agricultural Economics and other university disciplines | Helping communities strengthen leadership, entrepreneurship, economic opportunity and local vitality. |
| Disaster Education (EDEN) | Multi-disciplinary: CASNR, CEHS, UNMC, UNL Emergency Mgmt., external partners | Helps Nebraskans prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters through research-based education/resources and collaboration. |
Extension Website
Accessing the Extension website (extension.unl.edu) and your county’s Extension website monthly will enhance your role as an Extension Board Member.
- About Extension helps you learn about our organizational structure, leadership roles, available careers, and how you can support Extension
- Stories helps you gain deeper understanding of our work & impacts, supporting your role as an advocate of Extension
- Publications offer immense resources of research and education combined to serve Nebraskans
- Find Your Local Expert is where you can find your local team, local website, and all individuals in each program area
- Program Areas allows you to dig deeper into each program briefly described in the table above
Extension’s Mission, Vision, and Values
Nebraska Extension operationalizes from NU, UNL, & IANR; translating research and education to impact Nebraskans at the local level.
Mission: Engaging with Nebraskans wherever they are, connecting them with the resources, research and innovation of the University of Nebraska.
Vision: To be the trusted educational resource for every Nebraskan, inspiring fulfilled, prosperous and healthy lives.
Values:
- Accessible: In Extension, you belong. We adapt how, when, and where we deliver learning to serve all Nebraskans.
- Accountable: We follow through on commitments, use resources wisely, and share what our work accomplishes.
- Collaborative: We bring people together and build co-created solutions with and for those who will benefit from them.
- Innovative: We ask questions, try new approaches, and learn from successes and challenges.
- Relevant: Our work addresses real needs and offers practical value to Nebraskans
- Research-based: We make research understandable and useful for everyday decisions
- Responsive: We listen, respond, and stay engaged as community needs change.
- Uniquely local: We know our communities and connect Nebraskans with the knowledge and resources of their Nebraska University System.
Explore Extension’s Statewide Impact.
Learn about Extension's Strategic Direction also known as the “The Big 3”.
From University Expertise to Local Impact
The University belongs to the people. Extension brings the University home to all Nebraskans.
- Nebraska Extension brings the research, knowledge, and expertise of the University of Nebraska directly to communities across the state.
- Working closely with the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR), College of Education and Human Sciences (CEHS), the Agricultural Research Division (ARD), and other university partners, Extension connects faculty, researchers, specialists, and educators to address local needs.
- Through eight program areas, Extension puts university research into practice—helping Nebraskans make informed decisions, solve problems, and strengthen their communities.