As the years went by farmers began to search for better methods to farm in order to receive better return for their labors.
In 1914 the United States Government passed the Smith-Lever Act that provided for Agricultural Extension work. With funds from the federal, state and county governments, Extension specialists were trained in the Agricultural colleges or universities. Most of the workers in North Dakota were trained at the State University in Fargo, which was established in 1889. The specialists would provide information to the farmers and set up organizations that would provide education to the people.
The first specialist to arrive in Foster County was William M. Jackson, who arrived in May 1917 and stayed one and a half years. No records have been found as to his duties while he was in the area, but it is commonly believed that he worked mostly with garden projects.
In 1921 C.C. Blake came to the area. At this time two farm clubs were organized called the Community Club, at Jaunita and the McKinley Farmers Club located near Kensal. Besides using these clubs as a means of education, they became a source of recreation, too. Some of the things they did for a good time were foot races, three-legged races, merry-makers or clowns, riding circus, bucking mules, horses races, boxing, and providing small horses for the children to ride.
A need for diversification was stressed by Mr. Blake. He stated that his was a method that could be used to combat the weed problem that occurred when large tracts of land were farmed year after year. Other work was done to control the weeds and the rodents that were destroying the crops. Farmers were encouraged to build up their livestock and to test them for, tuberculosis which was found in the area and causing some losses.
Shows or fairs were started to give the people an opportunity to exhibit their products. This competition was an incentive to improve their efforts for the coming season.
T.N. Putnam and sons built a potato warehouse in Carrington to store potatoes for the winter. The structure was built at a cost of $625 which included the materials and labor.
Another project was the planting of trees as windbreaks and to improve the appearance of farmsteads.
The Agricultural College sent Mrs. Ann Lowdon to the county for six months. While she was here she organized three women's clubs and a girls' club.
The projects that were discussed were clothing, food preservation, home gardens, hot lunches, labor saving equipment in the home, balanced meals, and interior decorations.
Mr. Blake spent three and a half years in the county at which time it was decided because of various conflicts to discontinue the service.
Source: A History of Foster County 1983 Page 101