TRENTON: Educational partnership reaches 100-year mark

   Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Mercer County is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Smith-Lever Act this year.
   The Smith-Lever Act of 1914 established the Cooperative Extension Service, a unique educational partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the nation’s land-grant universities and local county governments that extends research-based knowledge through a network of extension educators.
   The New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station is the research and outreach arm of Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. Rutgers Cooperative Extension agents and specialists deliver wide-ranging educational programs in the areas of agriculture, fisheries, urban and community outreach, youth development, food, nutrition and health, and related areas of economic and workforce development across New Jersey. Cooperative Extension of Mercer County is located at 930 Spruce St., Lawrence.
   The Rutgers Cooperative Extension, adjacent to the Trenton Farmers Market, will host an open house and 100-year anniversary celebration on Saturday, Sept. 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
   This free family-friendly event will feature cooking demonstrations and tastings with locally grown fruits and vegetables, Jersey Fresh recipes and nutrition information, gardening and composting information from Master Gardeners, a Q&A with County Horticulturist Barbara J. Bromley, and hydroponics and rain barrel demonstrations.
   Children can enjoy science activities led by 4-H staff and volunteers, scarecrow making (bring old clothes — burlap and straw will be provided), a large insect collection, and other games and activities.
   There will be a brief ceremony at noon to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of Cooperative Extension; cake will be served.
   A Jersey Fresh basket full of locally grown fruits and vegetables, cookbooks and other items will be given away at 2 p.m.
   For more information, contact Rutgers Cooperative Extension at 609-989-6830 or visit mercer.njaes.rutgers.edu.