The authors examine the historical context and current implications of four questions: (1) What is the relationship of land grant universities to agrarian discontent? (2) What was the Wisconsin Idea? (3) What is "public service"? and (4) What views of knowledge predominated in the early days? The land grant university was central as a cause/effect in two shifts which changed the dynamics of agrarian discontent of the post-Civil War to the 20th century period--the shift from political action to attention to specialized crop development and the shift from an "agrarian" world view to an "agricultural" one. Although there is disagreement on the Wisconsin Idea, a number of sources characterize it as a political rather than a service program. Questions are raised concerning the current connection between university extension and political leaders. Concerns are expressed regarding commitment of land grant institutions to service, who and what constitutes "public" and "service", and the public relations dimension. Today people are beginning to question past and prevailing views of knowledge as virtue, and knowledge as scientific-technical expertise flowing from the university to the people. (EA)