Interview with James W. Kidwell, September 11, 1984

Interview Summary

James W. Kidwell was born in 1918 in Irvine, Kentucky. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture in 1942, and then his Master's degree in Extension Education in 1949. Kidwell also has between 20 and 25 hours of post graduate work in agricultural education. He began working for the UK Extension Service in January of 1946. His first position was as the Assistant County Agent in Pulaski County, where he worked for a year. He recalls how the extension service was trying to get back into its normal operational pattern after the war.

In January of 1947, Kidwell went to Whitley County where he worked as the County Agricultural Agent. He talks about the expansion of the program in Whitley County, and assisting people in growing cash crops. In 1961, Kidwell left Whitley County to become a District Leader for the agricultural agents in Southeastern Kentucky. Kidwell remembers working with Dean Frank Welch, and Dr. Bill Schneider who was the Associate Director for Extension.

Kidwell talks about the changing image of extension throughout his career. He recalls the Extension District Law which enabled farmers in counties without an extension agent to require the county fiscal court to establish an extension agent. From 1965 to 1970, Kidwell served as a Program Specialist and was involved in county business affairs. He recalls that this was a period during which more changes took place in extension. In July of 1965, extension switched from district teams to an area director system. Extension agents were stationed in counties but had area-wide responsibilities. He recalls that the agents developed specialties, and that although the program was effective in many areas, it did polarize some of the specialists. In the late 1960s, the extension service began to switch back to the county programs.

Kidwell states that he has always been thankful for the opportunity to work in extension. He emphasizes the need for the support of the people in extension for the service to work. Kidwell talks about Tubby McGill who was a Horticulture Specialist with the UK Extension Service, Dr. Bill Schneider, S.C. Bohanan, who was a leader for the agricultural agents, and Ray Randolph, who assisted 4-H agents. Kidwell also mentions his wife and two children.

Interview Keyword

J.W. Kidwell Kentucky's Cooperative Extension Service

Interview LC Subject

Agriculture. Kidwell, James W., 1918- Kidwell, James W., 1918- --Interviews University of Kentucky University of Kentucky--History University of Kentucky. Cooperative Extension Service

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Interview Usage

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