Bringing College to the Countryside, WSU’s Farm Demonstration Trains
Did you know that college in the early 1900’s was not only free, but had wheels and traveled to a town near you? The Farm Demonstration Trains was an extension service provided by Washington State College (WSC) for the purpose of improving the daily lives of Washingtonians and encouraging diversified farming. These trains were set up to host lectures, give demonstrations, and provide exhibitions of new information.
The train cars began as a solution for colleges that were challenged with reaching local farmers, because they did not have the infrastructure to communicate new information and ideas, such as the internet or radio. Instead, 3 by 4 printed posters were used to inform the public about big upcoming events, like when the farm trains were coming to a town near you. An early poster read, “Every person, regardless of age or previous educational training, can find a course fitting his needs at the State College of Washington.”
From Horseback to High Voltage.
Because farmers couldn’t risk leaving their farms for extended periods, which was inevitable when traveling by horse or wagon, they were unable to attend college and acquire skills that would benefit farm life; so, the trains brought college to them. There were nine demonstration cars in total, five baggage cars, one flat car, one day coach, one sleeper, and a business car. The day coach was used as a lecture hall, of which over 200 lectures were held. All specialists were WSC affiliated, and the tuition was entirely free aside from books and materials used.
In the 1910s, there was one farm demonstration train that exclusively focused on rural electrification, reportedly the first of its kind in the nation to do so. At the time, rural Washington did not have access to electricity, making the trains' electricity demonstrations appear nothing short of magical to these communities. It wasn't until the 1930’s that rural Washington had electricity in their homes.
A visit from the farm demonstration trains was an event viewed by the public as more exciting than educational, an excuse to get dressed up, connect with members of the community, and see new things. The latest innovations were shared here, some of which cut the duration of the locals’ daily responsibilities in half. The train cars were fun, everyone who could attend did; University Archivist Mark O’English described them as equivalent to how people today view fairs and festivals.
WSU’s Continued Role in Supporting Washington’s Rural Communities
The farm demonstration trains were a corporate partnership between WSC and the Northern Pacific Railroad company. The railroad company was able to promote their business at these heavily attended events with large banners draped over the train cars, while WSC was able to reach and inform the farmers of Washington, a win-win. Hundreds of farmers were notedly grateful to both the railway company and college for going out of their way to provide such valuable information.
The subjects taught were not only life-changing, but lifesaving as well. If you didn’t know how to prevent pests from destroying your crops, or how to maintain your crops in the winter season, your family would starve. If you didn’t know how to insulate your house, your family would freeze. If you didn’t know how to properly sanitize, your family would get very sick; and if you didn’t know how to source the proper plants and herbs for medication, your family wouldn’t get any better. The subjects that were taught on these trains were crucial, sharing expertise that immediately impacted Washington residents.
The farm demonstration trains continued operations until 1936, but as outreach methods shifted from print to radio, the trains were superseded due to our technological and societal advances. While we no longer rely on trains for outreach, Washington State University now operates 39 extension offices across the state, continuing to serve Washington communities with valuable information, educational programs and research partnerships.
