Funding Cooperative Extension is Essential Wednesday Dec 16th, 2020 News Reporter With California Ag Today, I’m Tim Hammerich. There is no denying that our agricultural systems would not be where they are today without the cooperative extension service. This critical research and education infrastructure has been instrumental in California’s evolution as one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world. But as with other states, funding for cooperative extension has been squeezed in recent years. Most all of us have benefitted, either directly or indirectly from these programs and many turned out in support of cooperative extension on giving Tuesday. Glenda Humiston is the vice president for agriculture and natural resources for the University of California system.