References & Notations
History of Epsilon Sigma Phi and the Cooperative Extension System
The National Web Site of Epsilon Sigma This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. contains a section on the history of Epsilon Sigma Phi. Annual reports, national board meeting minutes, texts of Ruby Lectures and a variety of other history related materials are available on the Web Site.
Early in 2012 a paper will be available on the Web Site outlining the significant accomplishments of National ESP from 1970 to the present time. This paper is the work of the Ad Hoc History Committee.
During 2011 the historic materials of National Epsilon Sigma Phi were archived at the National Agricultural Library in Washington, D. C. Linda Cook, past Executive Director of ESP, the Tau Chapter in Maryland and Robert Ohlensehlen, current Executive Director of ESP, contributed many hours to this preservation project.
References listed here were collected by the Ad Hoc History Committee from 2009 to the present time.
References
Apps, Jerry. The People Came First – A History of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension. Madison, WI: Wisconsin Epsilon Sigma Phi Alpha Sigma Chapter Foundation, 601 Extension Building, 432 N. Lake St, Madison, WI, 53706, 2002. (Note: Contains an excellent timeline of significant events in the history of Cooperative Extension.)
Bale, Stanley W. Hired Hands and Volunteers: A History of the North Dakota State University Extension Service, Fargo, ND: Upsilon Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Phi, 1989.
Bilss, R. K., Symons, T. B., Wilson, M. L., Gallup, Gladys, Reese, Madge J., and Schruben, Luke M., Editors. The Spirit and Philosophy of Extension Work – As Recorded in Significant Extension Papers. Graduate School, U. S. Department of Agriculture, and Epsilon Sigma Phi, National Honorary Extension Fraternity, 450 Falls AVE STE 106, Twin Falls, ID, 83301, 1952. (Note: This out-of-print book preserved in digital format.)
Hansen, James E. II. Beyond the Ivory Tower – A History of Colorado State University Cooperative Extension Service. Ft. Collins, CO: Colorado State University Extension, 1990. (Note: Many states have published histories of the Cooperative Extension Service in their states. This Colorado history is included because the reference section could serve as an excellent resource for students of Extension history.)
Moran, Gary. Extension in the 21st Century – A History of the North Dakota State University Extension Service 1985 – 2003. Fargo, ND: North Dakota State University Extension Service, 2003.
Mounter, Clyde T. The Quiet Revolution – A Seventy-Five Year History of Women’s Extension Clubs in South Carolina. Easley, SC: Martin Printing Co, Inc., 1995.
Payne, Mildred. Outline History of the Organization and Accomplishments
of Epsilon Sigma Phi 1927 Through 1969. Unpublished. (Note: This unpublished paper is available on the ESP National Web Site: espnational.org)
Rasmussen, Wayne D. Taking the University to the People – Seventy-five Years of Cooperative Extension. Ames, IA: Iowa State University Press, 1989. (Note: National Epsilon Sigma Phi was one of the initial contributors to this publication. Page 12 contains a summary history of major accomplishments of ESP.)
Reeder, W. L. The People and the Profession – Selected Memories of Veteran Extension Workers. Twin Falls, ID: Epsilon Sigma Phi, 450 Falls AVE STE 106, Twin Falls, ID, 83301, 1979. (Note: This out-of-print book preserved in digital format.)
Schwieder, Dorothy. 75 Years of Service – Cooperative Extension in Iowa. Ames, IA: Iowa State University Press, Ames, IA, 1993.
Temple, Guy and Extension Memories of the 20th Century Committee. Extension Memories of the 20th Century. University Park, PA: Publication Distribution Center, The Pennsylvania State University, 112 Agricultural Administration Building, University Park, PA, 16802, 2008. (Note: This is a collection stories from individual Extension agents. Many were the result of interviews with veteran Extension agents recorded by Eldon Tait in 1970.)
Warner Paul D. and Christenson, James A. The Cooperative Extension Service: A National Assessment. Boulder CO and London: The Rural Sociological Society, Westview Press, 1984.
VandeBerg, Gale. Beyond the Horizon – Life on a Wisconsin Farm 1880 – 1040 and A Farm Boy’s Career. Self- published. 1992. (Note: The author was a Ruby Award recipient and past national president of Epsilon Sigma Phi. The book’s section about his retirement experiences includes historical information on the formation of the ESP National Foundation. He was a very visionary leader of the honorary Extension Fraternity.)
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Complied September 15, 2011
By: Judith S. Carlson
Epsilon Sigma Phi Ad Hoc History Committee
