Cooperative Extension, established in 1914, was designated as a partnership of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the land-grant universities, which were authorized by the federal Morrill Acts 1862 and 1890. The Cooperative Extension Program (CEP) is operated through the Prairie View A&M University Land-Grant in partnership with the federal, state, and local governments. This nationwide educational and outreach network is funded by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) our federal partner. The mission of CEP is to respond to the needs of underserved Texans through learning opportunities that promote quality of life, address climate change and food insecurity, strengthen communities and foster leadership development in youth.

Cooperative Extension educators or agents translate science for the public, engage the public to act, prepare people for a better life, provide rapid response in disasters, develop partnerships, and connect people online. Extension agents implement innovative and progressive programs that meet clientele and community needs in throughout 56 Texas counties.   Extension agents are supported by program specialists to offer disciplinary and interdisciplinary programming efforts to address priority issues that align with the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Plan of Work. The strength of Extension is county-based education in Agriculture and Natural Resources, 4-H Youth Development, Community and Economic Development and Family and Community Health.