The Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station was established in 1892 under the Hatch Act of 1887 that authorized direct payments to states organizing agricultural related research units with their land-grant institution. The IAES, along with its counterpart, the Idaho Cooperative Extension System (CES) established in 1915 under the Smith-Lever Act of 1914, created the extension service to "give instruction and practical demonstrations in agriculture or resident in said colleges." Funding is composed of state general appropriations, federal formula funds, federal grant funds, local funds, county appropriations, and other grant and contract funds. This is a unique funding situation established to promote cooperation between all levels of government.