The board of trustees of the Ohio state university, through the university extension division, shall encourage communities to organize for the purpose of social, educational, scientific, and recreational advantage, and shall co-operate with them and in every way contribute to the efficiency of the efforts of such community for these purposes. To this end, as far as practicable, the extension division shall be placed at the service of educational, industrial, or civic institutions, organizations, and associations, and shall invite their active co-operation in matters relating to the civic, scientific, economic, and social welfare of the citizens of the state.