The earliest Agricultural Societies were established in 1884, reached their peak in 1927, and were in steady decline by the mid 1950s. In 1921 the Saskatchewan Agricultural Societies Association was formed "to promote the interests of agriculture generally, and the agricultural societies specifically...For this purpose the Association shall co-operate with the Department of Agriculture and the Director of the Extension Work at the University." In addition to stimulating and helping agricultural societies, the Extension Department was responsible for the administration and interpretation of the Agricultural Societies Act, and provide the societies with advice, supervision, and the administration of grants. With the reorganization of extension activities in 1963, a number of the Department's traditional roles were dropped and emphasis was placed on regional courses and training extension workers and local leaders. Local societies were then encouraged to take increased responsibilities for community programs.