Milton S. McDowell papers

Milton Speer McDowell was born on a farm at Milroy, Pennsylvania,13 January 1872. He graduated from Pennsylvania State College with a bachelor of science degree in chemistry in 1892 and a masters degree in 1897. McDowell worked in industry as a chemist for a time before accepting an appointment to the Penn State Agricultural Experiment Station to do research in 1900. He was promoted to assistant professor in 1909 and named the first county agricultural agent in 1912. He became professor of Agricultural Extension in 1913 and the first director of the Pennsylvania Cooperative Extension Service in 1914. By 1924 he had organized all but one of the 67 counties for extension work. He became identified with the Farmers Institutes which flourished prior to the inception of the Agriculture Extension Service. McDowell emphasized local participation in Cooperative Extension planning and programming, and he also helped to develop 4-H clubs and establish the Pennsylvania Farm Products Show. McDowell retired with emeritus status in 1941 and died at West Palm Beach, Florida, 31 December 1958.