In order to promote the advancement of agriculture, home economics and forestry within the state, and in order to promote general economic development and the improvement of cultural and social life among the people of the several communities, counties and areas of the state, the agricultural extension division heretofore created and established at West Virginia University shall be continued and shall hereafter be known as the "cooperative extension service." Activities of the cooperative extension service shall be conducted under such rules, regulations and methods as may be approved by the board of Governors. Such activities may include: (1) Organize and extend assistance to youth and adult groups which have for their objective the development of human and natural resources, (2) prepare and distribute educational materials for the advancement of knowledge, particularly in agriculture, forestry, home economics and area and community development, and (3) in cooperation with school officials and the United States Department of Agriculture, conduct programs in group planning and action to assist community, county, regional and state groups in the attainment of the above objectives under the direction of local and volunteer leadership.

Within the limits of funds available for the purpose from federal, state or other sources, the board of Governors shall employ such county extension agents and other extension personnel as may be needed to accomplish the purposes outlined in this section. All extension workers employed under the provisions of this section, or as provided in article eight, chapter nineteen of this code, shall be supervised and trained by the cooperative extension service to promote and advance the economic, cultural and social interests of the people in the respective areas to which they are assigned.

All provisions of this code in reference to the agricultural extension division, to county agricultural agents, to county home demonstration agents, and to other agricultural extension workers shall hereafter be construed to refer to the cooperative extension service and to the extension workers provided for in this section.