Interview with Thomson R. Bryant, Sr., Spring 1972

Interview Summary

In this interview, T.R. Bryant describes his experiences at UK as a student and then as Director of the Cooperative Extension Service. Bryant explains how he won a scholarship to attend UK, and he states that he was the only agriculture graduate in 1908. Bryant discuses his classes in agriculture and the attention he received from his professors.

Bryant describes his work under Dean Scovell, Director of the Experiment Station. Bryant explains that Scovell was a great administrator in whom the public placed a large amount of confidence. In July of 1910, Scovell suggested that Bryant be put in charge of extension work. By 1912, when the General Education board gave the U.S. Department of Agriculture funds to reallocate to the states, Kentucky already employed eight county agents. Around the same time, Scovell became Dean of the College of Agriculture. When the Smith-Lever Act was passed in 1914, extension work was nationwide and continued to expand. Bryant also discusses the importance of extension work during the First World War.

Bryant describes Fred [Muchler?] who was put in charge of extension work around 1914, and the difficulties that this created within the department. Thomas Poe Cooper eventually dismissed [Muchler?]. Bryant believes that from that point on, extension services have seen continual improvement. Bryant describes the Farm Bureau and it's affiliation with extension work. He also talks about the Grange organization within Kentucky, the Farmers Institute, moveable schools, and the railway exhibits that traveled throughout Kentucky.

Interview LC Subject

Bryant, Thomson R., 1885-1979 Bryant, Thomson R., 1885-1979--Interviews University of Kentucky University of Kentucky--History

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.