The Political Economy of Agricultural Research and Extension: Grants, Votes, and Reapportionment

Abstract

Abstract This paper seeks to identify the economic and political factors that produce state financial support for agricultural research and extension. State demand for research and extension services is found to be influenced not only by the level of farm income and population but also by measures of intergovernmental influence and the political effectiveness of farmers. Federal grants have “price” effects which stimulate state spending; the reapportionment of state legislatures mandated by the U.S. Supreme Court had a negative effect, while the ability of farmers to elect other farmers to the legislature increases state support for research and extension.