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 The Agricultural Extension Service – on Today's Congressional Moment. Fifty years ago, the average farmer in this country produced enough to feed 27 people. Today, he or she can feed more than 130. Why are American farms so productive? It's partly because of a bill passed by Congress in 1914. Known as the Smith–Lever Act, it created the Agricultural Extension Service, the partnership¹ between agricultural universities and county farm agents that develops practical applications for research and gets that information out to farmers, through an extensive outreach effort. As a result of Smith–Lever, the astounding² variety of agricultural research funded by the federal government at leading universities— into crop varieties, animal care, soils, marketing³ strategies, water quality and a host of other subjects — doesn't just sit in dusty reports. Instead, it finds its way to the nation's farmers, thanks to extension agents. There are 2,900 extension offices nationwide now, and even though fewer people farm, they're as busy as ever. They run 4–H programs, help landowners and homeowners use their land wisely, teach about nutrition, and work with communities on economic development. If you haven't met an extension agent yourself, odds⁴ are that some of your neighbors — and certainly the farmers who grow the food on your table — have. STANDARD CLOSING: This is Lee Hamilton. Congressional decisions impact all our lives. To find out more about how Congress works, or to get involved in your government, visit the Center On Congress website at congress.indiana.edu.

1 partnership   

n.合作关系，伙伴关系

参考例句：

• The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation.这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
• Martin has taken him into general partnership in his company.马丁已让他成为公司的普通合伙人。

2 astounding   

adj.使人震惊的vt.使震惊，使大吃一惊astound的现在分词)

参考例句：

• There was an astounding 20% increase in sales. 销售量惊人地增加了20%。
• The Chairman's remarks were so astounding that the audience listened to him with bated breath. 主席说的话令人吃惊，所以听众都屏息听他说。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 marketing   

n.行销，在市场的买卖，买东西

参考例句：

• They are developing marketing network.他们正在发展销售网络。
• He often goes marketing.他经常去市场做生意。

4 odds   

n.让步，机率，可能性，比率；胜败优劣之别

参考例句：

• The odds are 5 to 1 that she will win.她获胜的机会是五比一。
• Do you know the odds of winning the lottery once?你知道赢得一次彩票的几率多大吗？