What did the 1917 Smith-Hughes act do?

The Smith-Hughes Act of 1917 is a significant piece of legislation in the history of agricultural education in the United States. This act primarily established funding and support for vocational education in agriculture, which included the creation of secondary agricultural education courses in high schools. The goal was to prepare students for careers in farming and related agricultural fields by providing them with the necessary practical experience and theoretical knowledge.

By emphasizing vocational training, the Smith-Hughes Act aimed to improve the skills of young people in agricultural communities, thereby enhancing their opportunities for employment and contributing to the overall efficiency and productivity of the agricultural sector. It marked a pivotal moment in the integration of agricultural education into the regular school curriculum, ensuring that students received training directly relevant to the agricultural economy of their regions.

This establishes a foundation for understanding modern agricultural education and the development of related programs that followed, including extension services and additional vocational training initiatives, but those were not the primary focus of the Smith-Hughes Act.