The papers of Robert L. Christensen consist of "The Third Leg of the Stool Kenyon Butterfield and the Smith-Lever Act of 1914" by Robert L. Christensen and computer printouts of a photo of the S.S. Kenyon Butterfield and a brief history of the ship.

"The Third Leg of the Stool Kenyon Butterfield and the Smith-Lever Act of 1914" follows Kenyon L. Butterfield's career in the promotion of agriculture extension. Also included is information on Seaman Knapp who also advocated agriculture extension. The appendices include a bibliography, timeline of Butterfield's life, transcript of the McLaughlin Bill of 1909, transcript of the Smith-Lever Act of 1914, a comparison of the McLaughlin Bill and the Smith-Lever Act, a list of bills related to agriculture extension, and transcripts of Association of American Agricultural Colleges and Experiment Stations papers and proceedings relating to Butterfield.

Kenyon Butterfield graduated from Michigan Agricultural College in 1891. From 1895 to 1899, he was Superintendent of Michigan's Farmer's Institute. He was active in proposing federal aid to land-grant colleges for agriculture extension work. He was president of Rhode Island College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, Massachusetts Agricultural College, and Michigan Agricultural College. He was also a member of the Association of American Agricultural Colleges and Experiment Stations.