Clackamas County Extension Office Records, 1999-2007

The Clackamas County Extension Office was established in 1917 with the appointment of a home economist that served as the first Extension agent for the county. The following year, the Oregon Agricultural College (now Oregon State University) authorized the hiring of an agricultural agent for the county to represent the region's robust and diversified agricultural economy. By 1947, there were seven full-time county agents (four in agriculture, two in 4-H activities, and one in home economics) employed in Clackamas County, making it one of the biggest Extension offices in the state.

In response to changes in the demographics of the region as well as its increasing urbanization, the Clackamas County Extension Office has expanded to support programming in home gardening, forestry, community development, family health, and water management/conservation. In 2025, 23 staff are affiliated with the Clackamas County Extension Service with specialists in 4-H youth development, forestry, the Master Gardener Program, small farm management, livestock and forage management, and nutrition education.

Oregon State University organized the Extension Service in 1911 to manage requests received by the institution from residents throughout the state for information and assistance about agriculture and other topics. Beginning in 1912, the Extension Service established branch offices in Oregon counties and staffed them with agents who specialized in agricultural and home economics work. By 1937, there were Extension offices in every Oregon county.