Archives West Finding Aid

Epsilon Sigma Phi, the National Honorary Extension Fraternity, was organized January 11, 1927, in Bozeman, Montana. The Idaho chapter, known as Theta, was organized in Pocatello in May 1927 following the district convention of the Extension Division. Seven eligible members were present for the meeting and elected E.R. Bennett, chief; R.J. Smith, secretary-treasurer, and E.F. Rinehart, analyst. The purpose of the fraternity is to maintain the ideals, preserve the traditions, uphold the morale of the Cooperative Extension Service, and develop the spirit of fraternity among members. Membership is open to any person having ten or more years in extension work at a land grand university or the Department of Agriculture.

The records were in labeled file folders when received; the received order and original folder headings were retained during processing. The first series contains material collected by Joan Parr and sent to the Cooperative Extension office in 1983 but not integrated into the organizational files; the second series consists of Epsilon Sigma Phi office files. There is some duplication of material in the two series.

Included are by-laws, correspondence, financial records, minutes, newsletters and yearbooks. Paid checks, bank statements, receipt books, USDA bulletins, and duplicates of near print materials were discarded, thereby reducing the bulk of the collection by 0.5 cubic feet.