Last weekend my large family helped my Dad celebrate his 80 th birthday. The celebration included my five sisters, spouses, children, nieces, nephews, boyfriends, girlfriends, cousins, grandchildren, and my 93 year old Aunt Bee. This birthday celebration happened to coincide with the 90 year anniversary of my employer. University of Delaware Cooperative Extension Service of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. What struck me was the similarity of the two celebrations. Both birthdays were celebrations of life, longevity, and commitment to youth, family and community.

My father was an Air Force veteran who raised a large family on one salary, which included financing most of his daughters' graduation from college with a degree. His years of experience, knowledge, and the work ethics valued by his employer, the International Business Machines (IBM), were shared with us as we grew up. He was a devoted husband and father to his extended family. He served his country in the Air Force during World War II. His commitment to family was evidenced by the fact that his entire family of 40 were present to help celebrate his birthday and to thank him for all that he has given to them over the years. He has certainly enriched the lives of his family members.

These same values are what makes the Cooperative Extension Service the successful organization of 90 years that it is. Delaware Cooperative Extension was established in 1914 through a federal initiative which focused on agriculture, but has grown to include 4-H youth development. home-gardening, food safety, nutrition, diet and health, water quality, family development, financial management, leadership and volunteer management, personal safety - on the road, in the home and on the farm. The Delaware Cooperative Extension connects the public with university knowledge, research, and resources to address youth, family, community and agricultural needs. On Friday, July 22, Cooperative Extension held its 90 th anniversary birthday celebration at the Delaware State Fair in Harrington. Several hundred persons attended the event which included some very special guests who were there to show their appreciation. They wanted to express their gratitude to Cooperative Extension for all that it has done for them, by enriching their families, their lives and the lives of everyone in Delaware through its longevity of commitment to youth, family and community.

Delaware Gov. Ruth Ann Minner recounted her experiences growing up on a farm and as an Extension 4-H member. Senator Thurman Adams and Senator Gary Simpson had similar stories to share about how Cooperative Extension Service has enriched their lives and the lives of their families through education, problem-solving, and the sharing of research from the University of Delaware . The Delaware Secretary of Agriculture, Michael Scuse, who also comes from a long line of family farmers, commended Cooperative Extension for their commitment to helping promote the preservation of farmland and the future of agriculture.

Cooperative Extension makes a difference in the lives of people and helps provide them with the assistance they need to improve the quality of life. I think that Ed Kee of Cooperative Extension captures the soul of Extension when he says, "Extension is not just delivering information or technology but rather teaching people to address problems." He likens the method to an old proverb: "Give a man a fish and he eats tonight; teach a man to fish and he seats forever." Extension sows the seeds for people to help themselves have better lives. As for me, I teach traffic safety and I can not think of any better information to share with people to improve the quality of life than information that can prevent injuries and deaths due to traffic crashes which results in saving lives.

One reason Cooperative Extension is so successful is because of the many wonderful volunteers who work with us to extend our reach into the community. We could not do so much without the helping hands of so many.

So, Happy 90 th Birthday Extension and thank you to all who have helped us make a difference for all of Delaware . For more information on our programs and to get involved as a volunteer, visit our website at: http://ag.udel.edu/extension.