Born and raised in Iowa, Wilson moved to Montana in 1907 to homestead. He was employed by the Montana legislature to discuss flax culture in the 1911-1912 farmer institutes. In 1911, Wilson was offered a position with the Montana State College to give leadership to corn judging contests for youth arranged by the Farmers’ Institute. From this, he became the first county Extension agent in Montana. In his early days he developed 4-H garden contests in Custer Co. and was instrumental in developing plans for statewide corn shows. Wilson is credited with instituting the “first club project drafted by a Montana county agent” with the corn clubs. He was a champion of 4-H as a means to reach parents with scientific information and methods.
Wilson was appointed Montana State Extension Agent Leader, 1914-22. He held several leadership positions at Montana State College and the U.S Departments of Agriculture and Interior from 1922-1940. In June 1935 he received an honorary Doctor of Science degree from Montana State College. He became director of the Federal Extension Service at USDA in 1940 and filled in the Chief of Nutrition Programs and in the Production and Marketing Administration between 1943 and 1949, serving with distinction until he retired in 1953. After this, he accepted a number of foreign assignments and advisory commitments until he died in 1969.
