Chapter 12: Agriculture and Rural Communities: Leadership Learning and Implications for Higher Education

The development of agriculture and rural communities has played an important role in the advancement of the American economy, higher education, and leadership education. The agricultural industry grew alongside the innovation of American farmers, developing infrastructure that enabled transport and distribution of raw products to population centers. The 1862 Morrill Act established land-grant institutions that focused on agriculture and engineering, extending affordable higher education to rural and working-class people who previously had been excluded from such opportunities. Land-grant institutions like Kansas State University deliver teaching, research, and outreach services with a commitment to discovering knowledge and improving the quality of life of citizens locally and globally.