How Much Do We Value Land Grant Universities
I’m Susan Allen reporting for Open Range. How much is a college worth? That’s been a hot topic with the talking heads. One famous cartoonist was under fire for comments he made about the value or rather “non-value” of liberal arts degree. Meanwhile while tuition at universities skyrockets, programs and services are being cut and often it’s the agricultural schools that are getting the worst blows, the departments that do provide tangible value through cutting edge research. Back in the 1800’s Congress established land-grant universities to focus on agriculture, sciences and engineering. Federal support has traditionally come from the National Institute for Food and Agriculture, but their budget has been cut dramatically. In fact earlier this month the House cut $35 million out of the extension budget alone and throughout the nation ag colleges are hurting. For example, the University of Georgia laid off eighteen employees and sold a farm, University of California, including the esteemed Davis campus, are preparing for deep cuts. In the Corn Belt Iowa State College of Ag projects a six percent drop in state funding while facing an enrollment that is up nearly 6 percent. Penn State’s esteemed agricultural program was facing closing research stations, county extension offices and cutting many youth 4-H programs until the public rose up to tell lawmakers they had simply had enough and wouldn’t except any more cuts, to programs they value, bringing budget reductions to a halt and providing an example we should follow in the Northwest.
