Extension programs, including 4-H and Home Economics, began to integrate.
Ira O. Schaub became director of the Agricultural Extension Service. He held the position until 1950. In 1926 he also became Dean of Agriculture and in 1937 Director of Agricultural Research.
County Agent James A. Butler arranged for 2.5 acres of corn and 2 acres of cotton to be grown according to U.S. Department of Agriculture recommendations on the farm of J. F. Eagles near Statesville. This was the first farm demonstration in North Carolina.
Extension Forest Management changed to Extension Forest Resources, but the name changed again at a later date to Extension Forestry.
Benjamin W. Kilgore became the first director of the North Carolina Agricultural Extension Service.
Textiles extension short courses in Charlotte and New York were announced in 1968, and they were exceedingly popular. The New York course on knitting fundamentals was oversubscribed by nearly 300%. In 1969 thirteen added courses were offered in Raleigh, featuring NC state faculty and in-plant industry executives from mills as guest lecturers. Over time, textiles extension programs have evolved to meet the needs of the industry.
Robert Walter Graeber was hired as the extension forester. He served in this position until 1949.
The forestry extension program was split into Extension Forest Management and Extension Wood Products.
James A. Butler became North Carolina's first county extension agent, hired to conduct demonstration work in boll weevil eradication.
Programs of the federal New Deal agricultural agencies, such as the Agricultural Adjustment Administration (AAA), the Soil Conservation Service (SCS), and the Rural Electrification Administration (REA), caused an expansion in the activities and programs of the North Carolina Agricultural Extension Service.
With the arrival of Ray DeBruhl as the extension program coordinator, the position became a joint faculty and extension position. The program expanded to offer short courses and to prepare studies for associations such as NC Home builders and NCDOT. DeBruhl was instrumental in implementing the Code Officials Qualification Board and organizing early building inspector training programs.
The Smith-Lever Act provided for federal, state, and county cooperation in creating a system to expand demonstration and extension work for men and women. The law authorized land-grant colleges to sign memoranda of understanding with the United States Department of Agriculture to begin such work. NC State then created a new Department of Extension, which became the Agricultural Extension Service.
The Industrial Extension Service, the first of its kind in the United States, was established in 1955 to help North Carolina industries grow and prosper.
George Hyatt served as Director of the Extension Service until 1978.
Joseph Zublena served as Director of Extension until 2015.
Jon Ort served as Director of Extension until 2010.
North Carolina Agricultural Extension Service changed its name to the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service.
