started in 1914, utah state university cooperative extension, referred to simply as extension, provides research-based, unbiased information to communities through their county offices and are an integral part of a land-grant institution. extension operates 30 offices throughout the state, which include swaner ecocenter, thanksgiving point, and the utah botanical center. with a focus on teaching, research, and public service, extension programs include 4-h, agribusiness, expanded food and nutrition education, gardening and yard care, personal finance, and animal health.