Minnesota Extension Home Economics Past and Present

Part Three:

Extension Home Economics Programs

This barrel hot water system was shown at the St. Louis County fair in 1920. Cost: $25.

A Broad View Domestic Science: 1884-1916 World War I Influences: 1917-1939 World War II Influences: 1940-1948 Postwar Programs: 1949-1955 Federal Direction: 1956-1967 Five Focus Areas: 1968-1979 State Program Direction: 1975-1979 Focus on Families: 1980-1981 Living Resourcefully: 1982-1983 PDMS: 1984-1985 Issue Programming: 1986-1988 Cluster Programming: 1989-1993 Pilot Computer Project: 1991 1990 and Beyond

A Broad View of Extension Home Economics Programs

Back to top

Back to table of contents

Since the first classes for women were offered in 1884, extension home economics programs have been planned in response to needs of women at local and county levels. Early programs in cooking and sewing were basic for everyday living, and were offered mostly in rural areas. As changes occurred in the family, community, and society, program content was modified to meet situations and needs. Programs were influenced by short-ages and stresses of wars, social and economic problems, new appliances and furnishings for homes, increased transportation, and availability of human and economic resources to support program effort. As families became more mobile and more women worked away from home, programs were modified to meet changing roles of women in careers and their involvement in more activity out of the home.

As technology developed, communication expanded, and new approaches to program delivery were developed. Other agencies and organizations offered programs for families, and Extension Home Economics cooperated and coordinated program effort with other groups outside of extension.

Today extension home economics programs are much broader and reach rural, urban, and suburban families. They continue to respond to needs for information about food, clothing, shelter, and family life, and also reach out to people of various cultures, income levels, and ethnic backgrounds with a variety of economic, personal, and societal problems and opportunities of today. With more women working outside the home, roles of men and women are changing. Homemaking and parenting skills are often shared by husband and wife. Current program effort is directed to all family members-mother, father, and children. This section on the history of home economics programs and Part Four on significant programs describe changes throughout 109 years of effort by extension faculty of the University of Minnesota. There is still a need for educational information for family members, but content, approach, and methods of delivery have changed, and will continue to change in the future.

Domestic Science Classes: 1884 to 1916

Back to top

Back to table of contents

Beginning in 1884 until 1926 farmers' institutes, usually one to three days long, were a major channel for disseminating information on specific topics to Minnesota farmers and, eventually, to homemakers. Reports of institute meetings included subject matter presented at meetings-the forerunners of today's bulletins, news and radio releases, and experiment station reports. In 1907 the institutes became authorized activities of the University, rather than separate functions of the state.

The first organized classes for women in Minnesota were held in 1884. At the request of the farmers' institute director, a two-week lecture/demonstration course was conducted by Juliet Corson, Superintendent of the New York School of Cooking. Classes were held in the afternoon for the convenience of women. Topics were balanced diets, use of foods available to farm women, new recipes, and use of various cuts of meat. Lecturers gave cooking demonstrations and shared products during a social hour. These classes for "experienced housekeepers" and "young ladies with little or no experience in the home" were considered very successful.

Bread demonstration team at the Minnesota State Fair in 1918. These teams interested their audiences by discussing the important wartime questions of baking with wheat substitutes.

In 1888 fourth- and fifth-grade girls were taught sewing on an experimental basis in two or three Minneapolis public schools. By 1892 all girls in these grades were taking cooking. It is interesting to note that sewing preceded cooking in elementary and secondary schools, but food classes preceded sewing classes in adult education.

Demand for a program for girls in the School of Agriculture surfaced early in the 1890s. University president C. A. Northrop, members of the Grange, the Minnesota Dairymen's Association, and state horticultural society endorsed the idea. Cooking schools, as an adjunct to farmers' institutes, had been conducted successfully for several years by Clara Shepperd Hays, wife of Professor Willet Hays. In answer to the demand, the regents authorized a summer school or short course for wives and daughters of farmers.

The short course was announced in April 1894 as a four-week Dairying and Domestic Economy Summer School for Women, with Juniata Shepperd in charge. Juniata, a sister of Clara Shepperd Hays, trained in domestic economy, later developed curricula for both school and college programs and served as one of the early extension home economics specialists. Subjects of this first short course were foods and cooking, milk care and buttermaking, gardening, and control of household pests. This successful summer school was extended to a six-week session the following year, and was repeated again in 1896. It included courses in cooking, sewing, and dairying, with accompanying lectures in chemistry, entomology, horticulture, hygiene, and English.

In 1900 two School of Agriculture graduates enrolled in the first four-year college course in Domestic Science in the College of Agriculture. Four years later, Mary L. Matthews was the first woman to graduate from the college course. She later became head of the Home Economics Department at Purdue University.

In 1909 Margaret Baker was appointed Extension Lecturer for the farmers' institutes. Her initial assignment was home economics, but she also gave special attention to young people in rural homes. When classes were opened for girls in 1897, Mary L. Bull from Hennepin County joined the School of Agriculture domestic science faculty as foods instructor. She taught there until her appointment in extension. Bull is credited with persuading teachers and parents to provide hot lunches in rural schools as early as 1911. By 1912, in addition to one- and two-day institutes, a series of five-day short courses were held throughout the state with separate and joint meetings for men and women.

Beginning in 1912, one method of providing subject matter for local communities was the use of special trains that stopped from one-half to one-and-a-half days at scheduled towns. From eight to ten instructors gave talks and demonstrations, and carried exhibits of up-to-date home equipment.

One of the special educational trains and the instructors who brought extension classes to rural locations.

Home economists contributed useful home practice tips to news sheets throughout the state. Home economists spent time visiting farm homes, but because of the difficulty of transportation and shortage of personnel, this service was limited. The first home economics bulletins published in 1916 included "Care of the Baby," "Outlines for Club Work," "Child Welfare," "Personal and Home Hygiene," and "Home Care of the Sick." In this period, the title Domestic Science was changed to Home Economics.

Each year in August and September home economists judged exhibits at county fairs, prepared displays, and gave demonstrations on quality of household products, baking, and canning. From October to December they worked with farmers' clubs to organize for winter programs. Throughout the winter and through March they lectured and demonstrated at farmers' institutes. In 1916 seniors in the College of Home Economics assisted the three home economists at short courses. Each student worked at a short course and, in return, received expenses paid and college credit. In spring and early summer home economists worked with local homemaker groups and prepared material for use by the clubs.

World War I Influences: 1917 to 1939

Back to top

Back to table of contents

Because of rationing, home economics specialists and home demonstration agents, both rural and urban, devoted most of their time to food conservation, canning and cooking of meats, fish and poultry, egg storage, and use of coarse grains with (or as substitutes for) wheat flour, sugar, and fat. Attention was given to clothing conservation to economize on wool and cotton needed in the war effort. The home nursing specialist worked with the state board of health on well-baby clinics, physical examinations of school children, and control of flies to prevent disease. Assistance to boys and girls club work rounded out a broad program. Specialists prepared popular leaflets on milk, fish, eggs, conservation, textiles, and recreation.

During 1917 and 1918 the slogan "Food Will Win the War" gave direction to both agricultural and home economics programs. Increasing home food production and preservation, saving wheat products, and eliminating food waste were basic goals of home economics food programs. Making cottage cheese, making and using fireless cookers, preserving eggs in water glass, and drying foods were some early topics. Topics such as health, personal hygiene, clothing thrift, housing improvement and convenience, budgets, recreation, and the school lunch were emphasized. Bulletins included "House Equipment for Running Water" and "The Farm Vegetable Garden." The national emergency initiated an educational program that helped families meet emergencies and provided basic education for family living.

Canning outfit made from washboiler stove and lard can processor, Hubbard and Cass County Agent, 1918.

Early in the 1920s county home demonstration groups started County Achievement Days to show the public the results of their extension activities and programs. Exhibits featured accomplishments in projects such as refinished furniture, dress forms, articles of clothing, kitchen arrangements (before and after remodeling), and charts to show weight gain of underweight children when proper diets were provided. County Achievement Days continued for many years.

In 1929 Belle Osborn Fish (Thompson) became the first Child Development and Family Life Specialist and more attention was given to this subject area. There was an increase of family living education programs in schools and colleges, through books, bulletins, papers, magazines, and radio.

Class making fireless cookers in the St. Louis County Farm Bureau office, 1920.

Minnesota was unique in having a woman poultry specialist on the extension home economics staff to work with women on poultry. Her appointment made important contributions to the poultry industry.

The radio came into use as a method for reaching women. The University radio station, KUOM, carried a daily program "Hi-Lights in Homemaking," and many home agents throughout the state had daily or weekly programs on local stations. In 1939 a radio station was installed in Coffey Hall (then known as the Administration Building), and the University Farm Hour produced a 45-minute program five days a week over WLW. In 1940 the program was extended to a full hour, and 15-minute mid-morning neighbor programs were directed to homemakers; these later became known as the KSTP "Homemakers' Quarter Hour."

In 1934 an eight-county survey was made of farm housing conditions, a federal Civil Works Administration project to employ people in need of work. It was directed by the home improvement specialist. Data from this study showed a great need for farm housing improvement in the state and was used as a basis for housing programs during the next several years. The Rural Electrification Administration, which was started in 1935, stimulated farm families' interest in new household equipment.

State poultry specialist Annabel Campbell on a home visit. She inspected the flock and planned a new hen house for this family.

Physical examinations for selective service revealed a need for improved nutrition. Nutrition, physical fitness, and hot school lunches were among areas demanding special attention. Other program emphases included saving time and energy, running water in the home, and labor-saving devices.

During this period, international exchange educational programs were developed. College faculty, farmers, and farm youth spent short periods in many different countries studying and assisting with development of educational programs. Foreign students spent time in Minnesota schools and farm homes, learning about American agriculture and family life. In 1940 State Leader Julia Newton was on leave for 18 months to work with the Farm Credit Administration in Washington, DC, helping to develop educational programs on credit. During her absence, clothing specialist Lois Reid was Acting State Leader.

World War II Influences: 1940-1948

Back to top

Back to table of contents

During this time programs were geared to shortage of materials and labor and worn-out equipment. People were urged to "eat it up," "wear it out," "make it do," and "do without."

Class fitting garments on dress forms, early 1920s.

In 1941 the United States Department of Agriculture had a large amount of surplus cotton, and it was decided to make the cotton available to low-income people. In Minnesota a team of specialists and supervisors was trained in mattress-making. With guidance and support from a committee of representatives from the Minnesota Department of Welfare, the Farm Security Administration, vocational education, the American Veterans Association, the Works Progress Administration, and the National Youth Administration, county agents in 84 counties organized and locally managed the project. Low-income people, in teams of four, were taught to make their own mattresses. During 18 months of the Minnesota project more than 68,560 families used an estimated total of 5,451,103 pounds of cotton. For the first time in their lives many family members slept on something other than straw or corn-husk mattresses.

In 1944 the Emergency War Food Program provided funds for the employment of six War Food Assistants who worked in nine counties, conducting classes in production, conservation, preservation, and use of foods. Home agents (and county agents where there was no home agent) joined in food preservation programs on canning and drying. Three of these women stayed on as home agents. Home management supervisors of the Farm Security Administration (later called Farmers' Home Administration) were trained by extension home agents and specialists to work in the counties. Other programs focused on time-saving methods, making tools and equipment last, home pasteurization of milk, pressure cooker clinics, remodeling clothing, and school lunches. Rationing of meat, sugar, and other foods created requests for help in the use of available foods.

Methods in family living education and lesson content changed. Photographic slides of local interest were prepared for use in many programs; many agents had a regular column in the local newspaper and all home agents prepared news releases for county papers. Extension home economics specialists and home agents presented subject matter on television. Homemaker Achievement Day, started in 1926, became an accepted annual event for demonstrating and exhibiting work done during the past year.

Mattress making from surplus government cotton in 1941.

Home demonstration agent holding a pressure cooker and canning clinic with farm women, 1944.

Postwar Programs: 1949 to 1955

Back to top

Back to table of contents

In the immediate postwar years, with electrical appliances more available, interest shifted to farm home improvement. Remodeling for comfort and efficiency and installation of sewage and water pressure became major programs. Methods of freezing foods for home use became a necessary and popular feature of the program.

Learning to care for and use a freezer became important in postwar years. Eloise Layman demonstrates to club members in Faribault County, 1956.

To meet interests of wider audiences, home agents and specialists conducted more open meetings. One of these programs, of interest to both men and women, on wills and descent of property was offered for the first time in 1951 with assistance of the Minnesota Bar Association. Other programs for both wives and husbands were family life, mental health, and farm policy.

Topics of increasing interest were consumer marketing and family relationships. Family life conferences were begun in 1951 on a district basis, with assistance of a specialist loaned by the Institute of Child Welfare at the University. Interest in this subject warranted the employment of a full-time Family Life Specialist in 1955.

Interest in handicrafts grew and was recognized for the contribution this activity might make to mental health. In 1949 the Pipestone County Home Agent was assigned to teach handicrafts for six weeks to groups statewide. Safety in the home received attention in the 1950s, including programs on dangers in the kitchen, safety in home fires, traffic safety, and child safety.

With assistance from Harlund (Hal) Routhe, program directors and agricultural economics professors, a farm and home development program, using small group and individual farm families to plan and implement a development plan for farm and home, was inaugurated by specialists, agricultural agents, home economics agents, and supervisors. Information included financial management for home and farm, business procedures, record-keeping, and setting of family priorities. This educational method required much time and skill and continued into the 1960s.

Work with 4-H clubs was always an important activity in the extension program. Home agents were responsible for teaching home economics to 4-H club girls, as well as for general assistance in 4-H.

Cooperation in local, national, and international programs of other agencies continued to be an important activity of Extension Home Economics. For example, in 1956 State Leader Dorothy Simmons spent three months in Korea on a special education assignment.

Program Direction from Federal Extension: 1956 to 1967

Back to top

Back to table of contents

In 1956 federal extension program leaders recognized a need for a new national statement of extension program policies and goals and published the "Statement of Scope and Responsibility-the Cooperative Extension Service Today." The scope report defined nine areas of program emphasis as broad guidelines to provide direction for state extension programs. The nine areas were:

• Efficiency in agricultural production
  
  
• Efficiency in marketing, distribution, and utilization of agricultural products
  
  
• Conservation, development, and use of natural resources
  
  
• Management on the farm and in the home
  
  
• Family living
  
  
• Youth development
  
  
• Leadership development
  
  
• Public affairs
  
  
• Community improvement and resource development
  
  

The overall objective for family living was "To provide family members with educational experiences which foster the development of youth and adults as individuals and as members of a family and which increase competence of family members in homemaking techniques and the ability to make intelligent decisions concerning family resources and goals." Following are examples of extension home economics programs during this time period.

Foods and Nutrition

In 1958 the consumer marketing specialists, through weekly radio programs and television, combined education work in nutrition with presentations of best buys in food products. Six movie shorts were used on the state's 22 television stations with special emphasis on the nutritional value of milk. Food and nutrition programs were presented in 80 of 87 counties. Additional program effort included social and cultural aspects of food, "Calling All Consumers" (which helped couples understand how the marketplace works), and foods for large groups.

Clothing

In 1961 clothing specialists Thelma Baierl and Athelene Scheid prepared a series of three half-hour television programs that were aired by six stations, reaching enrolled viewers in 66 counties. Programs featured information on fashion and personal and practical aspects of clothing for the family. Another popular program was "Preparing Young Adults to Leave Home," which covered wardrobe planning, laundry, and financial plans.

Family Development

In 1962 the Sears Roebuck Foundation funded a project for 4-H-"Family Life Preparation for Marriage." It was developed by Ronald Pitzer, a family life specialist, and focused on helping young people develop a realistic concept of the benefits and responsibilities of marriage. Also that year a White House Conference on Aging was held in the Twin Cities area. Family life specialists were actively involved in planning and conducting the conference. There was much carryover into extension programs on family living for aging. Three to five young family programs entitled "So Your Child's in School" were presented in each county.

Resource Management

Programs included budgeting for higher education, the metric system, purchase of wall treatments, beds and bedding, and 19 five-day workshops on time and energy management.

Edna Jordahl (Cowles), extension management specialist, teaches the metric system.

Management of household tasks is made possible for a woman who uses a wheelchair.

Arts and Handicrafts

Many home demonstration clubs offered arts and crafts programs. A local leader received training and taught members at the local level.

In the summer of 1958 an instructor in the School of Home Economics and the head of home economics at Augsburg College were hired for one month to train leaders in decorative stitchery and wire jewelry at 14 centers throughout the state. In 1964 an Arts Extension Coordinator was hired (a joint appointment of Agricultural Extension and General Extension Division). The responsibility of the coordinator was to provide non-credit instruction in painting, assist with rural art shows and develop credit and noncredit courses in art. The coordinator, Huldah Curl, assisted in staging the annual Rural Art Show, which later was renamed the Town and Country Art Show.

Community Resource Development

Extension involvement in community resource development increased in the 1960s, with cooperation between Extension and other government agencies. Programs focused on economic growth and social and economic adjustments. "New Dimensions in Home Economics Extension" was the title of ten area meetings in 1964. Content included "Education—Tomorrow's Needs and Today's Challenge" and "Public Education in Minnesota." In 1966, 23 specialists were assigned full- or part-time to assist counties with resource development projects.

Programs for Physically Handicapped

In 1958, because of a demand for assistance for handicapped homemakers, specialist Marion Melrose was employed to work with Homemakers Limited programs. The Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota chapter of the American Heart Association asked Extension to initiate programs for homemakers with low physical energy or physical handicaps that would enable them to manage homemaking tasks. In 1965 Harriet Meldahl was hired to work in Duluth with handicapped home-makers in cooperation with doctors, medical associations, hospitals, welfare offices, and local Red Cross chapters. The work was well-received and doctors were soon referring patients to the specialist.

Programs for Low Income

A nutrition education assistant works with limited income people in Ramsey County.

During the period from 1964 to 1968 extension home economists were often asked to assist agencies in work with low-income families. Among the agencies were welfare boards, Minnesota Department of Health, community action councils, the Office of Economic Opportunity, and Aid for Dependent Children. Assistance was given to many new and diverse audiences such as mothers, minorities, seniors, and homebound and sick individuals not identified with any agency.

In 1967 grants were received through Title I of the Higher Education Act and the Sears Roebuck Foundation to employ 13 nonprofessional aides for a six-month period. They were low-income women assigned to work with others in similar circumstances and with similar problems in Hennepin and Ramsey Counties. The aides worked on a one-to-one basis and in small neighborhood groups to provide assistance on health and nutrition, family finances, inadequate homes and furnishings, school dropouts, and low achievement and delinquency of children. Two years later, these experiences proved valuable in developing a nutrition program targeted to similar audiences.

Five Focus Areas: 1968 to 1979

Back to top

Back to table of contents

A review of Home Economics Extension resulted in a report in 1968 entitled "Focus on Families in Minnesota," which served as a guide for program development for several years. Beginning in 1970 programs were planned, implemented, and reported under five focus areas: family development; consumer competence; food, nutrition and health; family housing and residential energy; and family and community. Some programs during this period are detailed below.

Family Development

In 1974 a parent education project, "Teenagers Learning about Children," emphasized preparation for parenthood. Family life specialists Susan Meyers and Ronald Pitzer, the Center for Youth Development and Research, and the Department of Family Social Science assisted with the project, presented to 200 youth in five counties.

A continuing parent education program became a parent-sponsored activity and involved 20 discussion groups made up of 250 area parents who met monthly. Additional family life programs included selecting a nursing home, improving communications in relationships, and dealing with change in a pluralistic society.

In 1975 a special federal extension service grant funded a 12-week series of half-hour television programs planned by a team of specialists from the north central states. This was telecast in Minnesota and was accompanied by study guides and group discussion. A second television series of eleven segments, called "Preparing Children for the Twenty-first Century," was produced and telecast in 1972-1973 and re-run in 1975-1976.

Ron Pitzer, family life specialist, discusses improving parenting and service to families at 1978 conference.

In 1978 a Minnesota Conference on Parenting was cosponsored by Extension and the Minnesota Council of Family Relations, the Minnesota Early Learning Design Center, the Children's Health Center of Minneapolis, and the Minneapolis Junior League. The purpose was to explore with parents, professionals, and volunteers ways to improve parenting and service to families in Minnesota.

Also that year a Governor's Task Force on Families presented five forums in seven state locations on the specific topics of health issues, economic effects of employment on families, taxes and legal systems, education and families, and social services and families.

Specialists prepared resource modules for homemaker group leader training (or On-Your-Own lessons). Included were content, procedures, discussion guides, and cassette tapes. "Sugar and Spice" and "Snakes and Snails" dealt with children and sex roles; "Celebrating Family Life" focused on family strengths and positive aspects of families.

Consumer Competence

Ability, not disability—Harriet Meldahl, rehabilitation specialist, demonstrates food prparation techniques for physically handicapped homemakers.

In 1973 Marion Melrose, state specialist for physically handicapped persons, and Harriet Meldahl, area rehabilitation agent in Duluth, with support from the federal extension service, developed a series of twelve video tapes, entitled "Ability, Not Disability," for use by extension agents, television stations, health workers, and handicapped persons. Minerva Jenson, District Director, provided supervision and guidance in this program effort.

In the 1970s requests from county homemaker groups for clothing construction programs continued, but specialists Athelene Scheid and Thelma Baierl changed their methods of presentation. In 1972 more than 46,000 women and girls enrolled in a "Sew Smart" television series telecast on nine channels in Minnesota. Consumer competence when buying ready-made clothing replaced some requests for clothing construction techniques. As new textiles were being developed and manufactured, there was emphasis placed on selection of fibers and fabrics for clothing and household furnishings, and on flammability of clothing, especially children's sleepwear.

In 1978 programs included clothing and energy, selection of a sewing machine, and psychological importance of clothing for adults and children. Clothing specialists updated professionals in textile and clothing subject matter as well as changes in fabrics, finishes, and regulations. Energy consumption in textile production and natural versus manmade fibers were new program offerings.

New bulletins included "Clothing for Weight Loss," "Clothing for Low Income Audiences," "Clothing for Senior Citizens," and "Clothing Helps for Young Homemakers."

Budget planning and optimum use of resources-time, energy, ability, money, credit, insurance-were the focus of home management programs.

Programs by specialists Edna Jordahl Cowles and Mary Frances Lamison focused on use of resources (time, energy, money, and ability). Popular topics were work simplification, home maintenance, planning for family security, credit and legal affairs, and coping with death (in cooperation with clergy and funeral directors).

Food, Nutrition and Health

In 1969, 34 paraprofessionals, known as Program Assistants, were employed and trained in Hennepin, Ramsey, Mille Lacs, Morrison, and north and south St. Louis Counties to work in the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program. Program assistants were recruited from the communities in which they were assigned to work. By the fall of 1969 Congress had appropriated direct funds at a higher level. The program expanded to the counties of Anoka, Lincoln, Yellow Medicine, Rice, Olmsted, Todd, Wadena, and east Ottertail and the Red Lake Indian reservation. After EFNEP expanded, there were 90 program assistants working under the leadership of county and area home economists.

EFNEP program assistant works with a family in her community on food preparation.

When EFNEP started in 1969, Caroline Fredrickson, Central District Home Economics Supervisor, was given overall responsibility for the project. Later in 1969 Fredrickson was given leave to accept a United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) assignment in the Fiji Islands, and William Milbrath was assigned the responsibility for coordinating EFNEP. In 1970 a private firm was engaged to evaluate EFNEP nationally and reported favorably on the success and effectiveness of the project in extending nutritional and related information to low-income people.

In 1970 Minnesota received $811,961 to support EFNEP and by 1979 the amount reached $863,377, the largest single increment ever provided to Minnesota.

In 1970 two specialists were employed: Mary Darling, a nutritionist, to assist with EFNEP, and Gerald Semmler, a pyschologist, to work with low-income problems, human relations, and group dynamics for professionals and paraprofessionals. Between 1970 and 1979, 120 program assistants were employed to help with this program. In Ramsey County an EFNEP mobile unit (a large trailer) was parked in various places to inform the general public about good nutrition and health.

EFNEP mobile unit on the Minneapolis Nicollet Mall.

Program content for low-income families included food selection for best buys, food preparation, basic food groups for good family health, sanitation and safety in the kitchen, proper storage and care of food, and managing a household for family members.

In 1979 Minnesota was one of 16 states that received special USDA funds for a pilot EFNEP-food stamp project. Two objectives were:

• To recruit more food stamp families into the project, and
  
  
• To test methods of program delivery in three pilot areas.
  
  

Richard Krueger completed a Ph.D. study of a simulation model for EFNEP and served as coordinator of the pilot project. He spent 75 percent of his time on the EFNEP-food stamp project and 25 percent on EFNEP revisions and use of computer methods.

In 1972 Muriel Brink, a nutritionist, was employed. With Cathryn Berntson (Huntsman), District Supervisor, she introduced a program pretested in grocery stores in Fargo-Moorhead in 1973. The program provided information at the time of purchase. Family food needs were matched with available money for food and related to market prices and alternative food choices. Additional computer programs were developed on weight control and food recall as aids to improved nutrition and dietary practices. Attention was given to the psychological aspects of food and to physical changes in aging. Two 4-H bulletins were developed in Braille by 4-H and food and nutrition specialists: "Meals for Today" and "Family Meals."

A series of fourteen 30-minute television programs called "Food Sense" was aired in 1974 to extend information to larger audiences. Nutrition work was extended in Minnesota by the use of a nationally developed television program, "Mulligan Stew," telecast by twelve stations to schools and 4-H clubs.

Family Housing and Residential Energy

In 1971 housing specialist William Angell was employed to fill a vacancy of several years. Housing data was gathered, resource material prepared, and contacts made with housing agencies and professional and trade organizations. A network of interdisciplinary and intra-agency relationships was developed, the first in the metro area.

Housing short courses taught many aspects of remodeling and insulating older homes to conserve energy.

In 1972-1973 a homeowner training program was conducted in East Grand Forks and in Red Lake, Nett Lake, White Earth, and Fond du Lac Indian reservations. These Turnkey Housing Training Programs for low-income home buyers were supported by a grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, with cooperation of local housing authorities. Topics were selection and placement of new furnishings; color schemes and decorating; use, care and cleaning of new stoves, refrigerators and other appliances; window treatments; humidity and heat control; upholstery; lawn care; and budgeting. Program assistants worked with homeowners, district supervisors, and specialists in housing, interior design, furnishings, household equipment, home management, engineering, and horticulture.

Also during this period an educational program, Housing for Elderly, was presented in Duluth for the Upper Mississippi Valley Chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO). Objectives were to assess housing needs of elderly and determine needed areas of research. The housing specialist, area rehabilitation specialist, and district supervisor Minerva Jenson were involved. This led to more programs on elderly housing. Two publications were developed: "Housing for Senior Years" and "Making Elderly Housing Livable."

Early in 1973 House-a-Rama, a seminar on housing and home furnishings, was held in five southeastern Minnesota locations and attracted 2,200 men and women. Extension specialists were joined by specialists in wood products, home furnishings, and landscaping as well as by representatives of home products industries in presenting the information.

In 1975-1976, 20 housing short courses reached 2,600 people. Content focused on remodeling; building; buying older homes; economic, physical and aesthetic aspects of housing; housing costs; and home insulation. The short courses were repeated in 1977-1979 in 35 counties. These short courses increased the number of requests for residential energy conservation information and led to the addition of a household energy specialist, Roger Peterson, in 1977. In 1978 a series of consumer housing short courses reached 3,000 individuals.

Family and Community

In October 1969, 135 women from 60 Minnesota counties participated in a symposium "Focus on the Future for Women," at the student center on the St. Paul campus led by Rosella Qualey, Central District Supervisor. Participants from all areas of the state were influential leaders in social, civic, and educational activities in their communities. Objectives were to provide an opportunity for women of Minnesota to communicate their concerns and to create awareness of educational resources available to women from the Agricultural Extension Service, the General Extension Division, and the School of Home Economics.

Concerns of the participants fell into ten categories:

• Status of women: roles, involvement and leadership.
  
  
• Individual and family development.
  
  
• Educational opportunities and facilities.
  
  
• Public affairs and government.
  
  
• Social and family values.
  
  
• Community problems, planning, and opportunities.
  
  
• Quality of environment.
  
  
• Drugs, narcotics and alcohol abuse.
  
  
• Health and nutrition.
  
  
• Consumer protection and education.
  
  

Participants returned to their communities with ideas and suggestions to work in their areas of concern as leaders in their counties.

In the early 1970s resort managers of institutional and private food services looked to Extension for programs in management, recreation, and food service in their establishments. Specialists in foods and nutrition, management, and home furnishings responded to these requests for programs. In 1970 food service management specialists Louise Mullan and Robert Olson were employed to assist in planning food service lay-outs, purchasing institutional equipment, training food service workers, and conducting food management schools. In 1974 specialist Oscar Snyder was employed to initiate hotel management training in food service, safety, and quality. Schools for food service employers and employees resulted from coordinated effort of nutrition, microbiology, and meats specialists.

In 1976 a Food Service Motivation Workshop, attended by 52 persons, focused on the importance of personal contact with employees.

In 1978 a food service survey gathered details on food service facility type, size, ownership, work force, customers, advertising, promotion, facilities, and energy use. In 1979 a Grand Portage Hospitality Institute was conducted by food service management specialists. Educational programs were presented over a two-year period in 13 one-week sessions for personnel employed or interested in hospitality industries. Topics included international cuisine, record-keeping, finance, small business topics, beverage operation and management, training of employees, house-keeping, food service management, energy conservation, and remodeling.

In the 1970s home safety programs were developed in several counties. This program on safe plumbing connections in the home was organized by Eileen Anderson in Hennepin County.

In 1978 Cathryn Berntson (Huntsman), District Director, Home Economics, attended a National Health Conference on Rural Health and encouraged Minnesota county home economists to offer health programs in their counties.

Safety programs included fires and home products, safety in home insulation, safer appliance cords, and home accidents.

State Program Direction-Living with Change: 1975 to 1979

Back to top

Back to table of contents

In 1975 the home economics specialists adopted a new overall theme, "Living with Change," with the following priorities:

• Staff development in five emphasis areas.
  
  
• Coordinated programs.
  
  
• Emphasis content in newsletters.
  
  
• Support materials from specialists to counties.
  
  
• Mass media support for counties.
  
  

Effort was directed toward development of a positive image and greater visability for extension home economics program effort. Plans were made to use brochures, newsletters, editors' days, extension program reports, and contacts with outside agencies, legislators, and other public officials. Television public service announcements were also developed.

A Handbook of Printed Materials and References was developed for ordering publications, including use of commercially printed materials, a list of extension printed materials by subject areas, and a list of references by subject areas.

"Open Doors to Learning" included On-Your-Own program offerings developed by specialists for use in counties. It contained printed information beyond the usual approach of meetings, short courses, and conferences. Included were self-study packets, home-study courses with audiovisual cassettes, and lesson guides. Television, radio, conference calls, and state and/or county resource centers were additional alternatives for program delivery.

Programs reflected response to current issues in the home and community. There was some movement away from traditional home economics, toward a broader view of family interests, with an increased number of requests for community resource development, marketing, and 4-H youth development programs. During this period specialists conducted more "open meetings" (for special interest groups and the general public), and did less agent and local volunteer leader training. County home agents did most of the county leader training.

In 1977 the Title XIV National Agricultural Research and Teaching Policy Act (the farm bill) expanded research and extension information to all, but especially to consumers, small farm families, and low-income individuals and families. It included emphasis on human nutrition and energy.

In 1977 District Director Ruth Edberg and Program Director Evelyn Quesenberry (McDonald) attended a National Program Effectiveness Workshop to represent one of seven states, sponsored by the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP), a home economics subcommittee. Content on program evaluation was helpful in planning for future program planning, implementation, and evaluation.

Later that year, under the direction of Program Director Patrick Borich, 17 home economics specialists participated in two staff seminars on program evaluation. In 1977 each home economics specialist's plan of work identified a program component for in-depth evaluation to determine evidences of success of program effort. District directors encouraged county home economists to include plans for evaluation in their county plans of work.

Also in 1977 Wanda Olson, Household Equipment Specialist, participated in a joint Wisconsin, Minnesota, and USDA evaluation project. These meetings led to a pilot evaluation project in Dakota County to determine energy efficiency of major kitchen appliances in the home. This pilot led to increased interest in evaluation effort in home economics.

In 1978 two advisory committees were appointed: the Family Living Program Advisory Committee, with Ron Pitzer, Family Life Specialist, as chair and Sue Meyers, Family Life Specialist, as co-chair; and the Human Nutrition and Health Program Advisory Committee, with Angele Parker, Assistant Program Leader, as facilitator.

In 1979 district and state specialists and home economics administrative staff spent two days coordinating agent requests for the following year. The largest number of requests were in family development (strengthening families), family resource development (related to inflation and high cost of living), housing and residential energy (total environment), and foods and nutrition (budgeting, consumer choices, and nutrition for the elderly). Specialists had heavy schedules. Requests from counties reflected long-range planning and more multicounty events than previously. This resulted from effective planning by district directors, who worked closely with county home economists.

Focus on Families and Leadership Development: 1980 to 1981

Back to top

Back to table of contents

A Focus on Families in the 80s conference for county, district, and state home economics staff was planned and implemented by Assistant Program Director Irene Ott. Evaluation showed evidence of learning, especially related to variety of family forms, stressor events in families, and impact of economic pressures on families. This conference increased the effectiveness of county extension program planning. Some public relations effort was initiated. A brochure was developed to highlight selected county programs and to inform legislators, policy makers, county committee members, and other support groups of the variety of programs in home economics/family living. An exhibit was planned and prepared to be used in counties to publicize program effort.

A 1980 conference, Focus on Families in the 80s, featured discussion and information about strengthening families, family nutrition and health and home environments.

In 1980 specialists and county home economists were asked to generate ideas for greater program outreach. Requests were for mini-proposals for new, innovative ways to deliver educational programs and activities if outside funds were available. Outside funds were sought for a selected number of mini-proposals, to be funded by the Agricultural Experiment Station, for "New Dimensions in Home Economics" programs.

In July 1981 a home economics/family living team was formed, including all of the home economics district directors, assistant directors, the EFNEP program leader, and the program director, to work together to make home economics a strong program area. Team responsibilities were to provide:

• Quality program direction and leadership for educational programs to meet the needs of people.
  
  
• Trust relationships between team members.
  
  
• Models and mentors for staff.
  
  
• Personal and professional growth for participants and others.
  
  
• Interpretation of the extension mission and policy.
  
  
• Counselling, feedback, and guidelines for staff.
  
  

In October 1981 the team developed long-range objectives for a three-year home economics management plan. Also that year, Irene Ott coordinated "Women in Learning and Leadership" (WILL), a pilot project in leadership development funded by Title V rural development. A graduate student in American studies was employed to work one-third time on the project. In 1982, 40 women attended four 1-day seminars in pilot counties. Seminar content focused on participants' personal growth and development. The WILL project objectives were to:

• Gain confidence and understanding to work effectively, as leaders in families and communities.
  
  
• Develop leadership skills.
  
  
• Learn process skills to affect public policy decisions.
  
  
• Become more effective and involved in the community development process.
  
  

Volunteer Leadership Development

In 1982, under the direction of Irene Ott, over 300 persons (agents and volunteers) from 41 counties attended a leadership development workshop, "Together Building Personal and Family Strengths." She conducted 14 county program reviews and developed a four-year plan of work, with plans for evaluation.

In April 1983 Volunteer Recognition Week was observed in counties. The Minnesota Office of Volunteer Services sponsored regional workshops, "Solving Community Problems by Building Community Partnerships," which emphasized public and private cooperation. Programs identified needs, tools, skills, and resources to plan for organized change. "Understanding and Influencing Local and State Government" was another topic of program effort in several counties.

Creative Decision Making

In September 1983 the Central District Home Councilor Day was based on the theme "Image Begins With `I.'" Content included "Understanding Public Partnerships," "Economic Worth of Homemaking," "Women and Self-esteem," "The Secret Is Out," and "Making Dreams Come True." This was the tenth year for a Central District Home Councilor Day, originally initiated in 1973 by Rosella Qualey, Central District Director.

Living Resourcefully in a Time of Change: 1982 to 1983

Back to top

Back to table of contents

In 1983 Minnesota Extension Home Economics hosted 87 home economics assistant directors and state leaders at a national workshop with the theme, "Managing the Future: Perspectives and Creativity." Eight objectives for the future were:

Joanne Slavin, Nutritionist, developed a computer program to determine safe home canning processes.

• Strengthening linkages between extension and research.
  
  
• Influencing academic preparation of home economists for employment.
  
  
• Managing with declining resources.
  
  
• Delivering programs with declining resources.
  
  
• Delivering programs by electronic technology.
  
  
• Evaluating programs.
  
  
• Effective professional, paraprofessional, and volunteer mix for optimum programming.
  
  
• Marketing Extension Home Economics and cultivating support groups. Some new program approaches were:
  
  
• Home and educational use of the computer for farm and family conferences, with hands-on computer training and experience for 100 families.
  
  
• "Living Resourcefully" fact sheets on unemployment in waiting rooms of counsellors for unemployed individuals.
  
  
• Assistance to agents on designing and producing newsletters.
  
  
• A task force, under the leadership of Rosella Qualey (on special assignment), to conduct quarterly district conferences on strengthening of extension home study groups.
  
  
• A source book for county home economists to develop lessons, provide new perspectives on home economics subjects, explain and clarify family relationships, and provide background for family living programs.
  
  

During this period, leadership for arts and crafts projects was discontinued from the state level to counties.

Program Development Management Systems (PDMS): 1984 to 1985

Back to top

Back to table of contents

In the fall of 1984 program development management systems were initiated in the home economics program area. PDMS workshops provided training for county and state staff on issue identification, priority setting, learner objectives, evaluation of educational resources, and building of curriculum grids. Following are examples of programs during this period of time.

Resource Management

The following resource management programs were funded by Innovative Grant funds from the director's office:

• Computer programs for determining safe processes for home canning of low acid/high acid food mixtures by Ed Zottola, Isabel Wolf, and Joanne Slavin of foods and nutrition.
  
  
• Financial resource management training and counseling on the Fond du Lac Indian reservation, by Geri Gustafson, Carlton County.
  
  
• "Getting Control of Your Finances," a pilot home study course tested in Hennepin County with 427 families, by Eileen Anderson and Janet Krofta, district program leaders.
  
  
• "It's a Great Place to Live IF You Can Make a Living," 30-minute television program on public affairs, piloted in northeast Minnesota by Jean Castle and Lorilee Sandmann; a cooperative effort of specialists in family resource management, housing and family life, a volunteer consultant, and an extension television producer.
  
  
• A WDIO television special that followed the lives and situations of two families and their decisions in various situations and lifestyle patterns. County and state staff members were involved in planning and producing this program with specialists from family resource management, housing, family life, budget consulting, and communication resources.
  
  

Other examples of program effort included strategies for prioritizing bill paying, cutting food costs, controlling the budget, and coping with repossession, bankruptcy, and foreclosure.

Foods and Nutrition

Examples of program effort:

• Food and Nutrition Electronic Bulletin Board, a computer bulletin board for quick response to current nutrition controversies, queries, and information.
  
  
• Senior Nutrition Alert Program (SNAP), volunteers working in a grocery store on Double Coupon Day to help seniors take advantage of savings for their budget. Information was shared with seniors related to sodium and potassium, food buying, and safety.
  
  
• Nutrition grocery bag stuffers.
  
  
• Industrial Wellness Seminars with exercise groups. Skinfold measurements were entered into a computer program to determine ideal weight range.
  
  
• Drop-in sessions for parents to attend while children participated in a summer program, "College for Kids."
  
  

Clothing and Textiles

Clothing specialists developed ways to alter patterns to make clothing easy for handicapped and elderly people to wear.

For several years there was a decline of interest in home sewing of clothing. However, in the 1980s, because of increased costs of ready-to-wear, there was renewed interest in programs on clothing construction, especially pattern alteration, and clothing for the elderly and handicapped.

New Clothing Resource Kits were made available for county use: "Looking Terrific" (building a wardrobe), children's clothing kit, newer fabrics kit, couture sewing techniques (slide set), energy-wise insulated window shades, and "Buying a Warm Coat."

"Sewing by Satellite II," under the direction of Sherri Johnson Gahring, Clothing Specialist, and county site facilitators, connected audiences in several locations to discuss clothing construction.

Housing Furnishings and Energy

Examples of program offerings:

• Residential Energy Information Source List, developed by William Angell, Housing Specialist, was a resource widely used by county home economists.
  
  
• In three counties 18 volunteer budget consultants received training on the topic, "Is Solar Energy Right for You?" directed by Roger Peterson, Residential Energy Specialist.
  
  
• A 52-week public affairs radio program, "New Life for Your Home," was the joint effort of specialists in interior design-furnishings, housing, forest products, household equipment, and residential energy.
  
  
• Housing and home furnishings specialists cooperated with the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) on energy aspects of buildings and life-cycle costing. Later they focused on building performance, increased durability, serviceability, preservation, and rehabilitation.
  
  
• A window energy kit, developed by household equipment specialist Wanda Olson, traveled to each county. Olson also provided program assistance on time and energy consumption of food dehydration appliances.
  
  

Issue Programming: 1986 to 1988

Back to top

Back to table of contents

In May 1986 "Extension Home Economics for the 21st Century," was the title of a conference for the home economics program area, with Sarah Greening, assistant to Shirley Baugher, as conference coordinator. The overall goal was to focus on a strategic plan to integrate national, university, extension, college, and extension home economics into staffing and program designs, targeted for 1990 to 2000, with "Focus on People."

Central issues for the Minnesota Extension Service were:

Volunteers were trained to help consumers plan budgets that take advantage of savings.

• Economic development.
  
  
• Environment and natural resources.
  
  
• Human development.
  
  
• Community leadership.
  
  

Extension home economics initiatives (or issue areas) were:

• Energy and environment.
  
  
• Family economic stability and security.
  
  
• Food, nutrition and health.
  
  
• Families and communities.
  
  
• Volunteer and leadership development.
  
  

Programs were planned in each of the issue areas by committees of the Program Development and Management System (PDMS) formed in 1984.

District and state program leaders coordinated program effort with county staff, program specialists, the Office of Special Programs, and the EFNEP coordinator.

An Integrated Program Priority Marketing Plan was developed for Extension Home Economics. At county meetings a slide presentation, "Voices and Views," was used by volunteers and extension agents, to promote home economics programming.

Beginning in 1986, 25 to 28 members of a statewide Home Economics Advisory Committee, advised the assistant director and state staff on program development, research, marketing, and evaluation. Committee members served three-year terms and represented all geographic areas of the state and a variety of occupations. They helped coordinate extension home economics activities at county, district, and state levels.

Energy and Environment

Energy conservation programs helped families in Hennepin and Ramsey Counties.

In 1986, 19 extension energy consultants, trained in Hennepin and Ramsey Counties, provided programs on energy concerns in three areas:

Home: Leaks, caulking, moisture, ventilation, and insulated window treatments.

Conservation: Hot water usage, alternative fuel sources, and wise use of energy.

Personal Matters: Dressing for warmth, hypothermia, and cold stress.

Participants were low-income residents, new Americans, community neighborhood groups, and other homeowners.

A preconference offering before the Minnesota Home Economics Association (MHEA) Convention was a kitchen update workshop at International Market Square. It was co-sponsored by Electrical Women's Round Table, MHEA, and the Minnesota Extension Service. Participants learned from a case study a problem-solving approach to designing kitchens and toured kitchen and bathroom showrooms. Other topics included American, European, and Japanese cabinets; European appliances; new countertop materials; air quality; and kitchen ventilation. Kitchen professionals and post-secondary students made initial career contacts with professionals in extension, education, business, architecture, building contractors, and industry.

Housing specialist William Angell provided research-based education regarding moisture deterioration and health concerns of members of Tri-State Home Owners in eastern and northern Minnesota. He worked with an investigative team involving nine agencies, University departments, legislative staff, and local officials, in coordination with Michigan and Wisconsin investigators. Effort included individual site inspections and consultations, local public hearings, live radio with listener call-in, and publications.

The Minnesota Cold Climate Building Research Center cooperated with Roger Peterson, extension household energy specialist, on humidity and condensation control in Minnesota homes. An interactive video was used to teach builders, contractors, consumers, assessors, and zoning officials about new developments in design, construction, and air quality problems. Agents used research results from the University of Minnesota Cold Climate Housing Center.

About 500 private pesticide applicators and their families learned symptoms of pesticide poisoning, selection and use of protective clothing and equipment, and how to handle and wash contaminated clothing. This was cooperative programming between specialists in textiles, housing, and pesticide management and the media.

Diane Holmen Corrin, Hennepin County, explains placement of a radon detector to Laurel Boerger, Northern States Power consultant. This program was sponsored by NSP.

In 1988 in response to radon-related health concerns, extension home economists, with the Minnesota Department of Health and United States Environmental Protection Agency, conducted a statewide radon survey, which resulted in the development of educational programs. In Hennepin County, 750 housing professionals and several thousand homeowners learned about radon health risks and options via publications, meetings, and media coverage. This was the result of cooperative effort of the American Lung Association and the Cold Climate Building Research Center.

In Carver and Scott Counties a program on waste management focused on government regulation and opportunities for recycling and composting. In Ramsey County 76 key community leaders and volunteers received Extension-produced audiovisual and print materials about the need to reduce, reuse, recycle, and compost home waste.

Family Economic Stability and Security

Changing technology, values, communities and resources impacted on roles and responsibilities of families. Steady growth and improved standards of living changed to economic instability and declining standards of living. To meet these changes, programs focused on:

• Family budgeting and management. A financial management consultant program for limited- and low-income people in the metropolitan area was funded by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
  
  
• "Cents-Able-Kids" for fourth grade students focused on priorities for needs and wants, goal setting, savings, and basics of budgeting.
  
  
• One-to-one financial education for families who were unemployed, underemployed, or over-extended.
  
  
• "Project Survive" raised $10,000 for a food bank.
  
  
• Programs for operators of bed and breakfasts and farm vacation homes addressed a new aspect of the hospitality business.
  
  

Other Issue Programs included:

• Families and change (choices for women, dealing with self-esteem).
  
  
• Choosing child care.
  
  
• Teens in distress, suicide intervention, and stress prevention.
  
  
• Programs on quality of life for shift workers.
  
  
• Services for seniors (with emphasis on transportation and networking).
  
  
• Farm families in stress.
  
  
• Insurance and its feasibility.
  
  
• Look to the future (seven-unit pre-retirement home-study course).
  
  
• Money management for low-income persons in emergency shelters, community centers, churches, food shelves, and the Salvation Army.
  
  
• Small and family-based business programs (family implications, health and safety, market trends, pricing and selling, recordkeeping, advertising, and customer relations).
  
  

Food, Nutrition and Health

In March 1986 National Nutrition Month focused on nutrition facts and fallacies. Leader training programs emphasized osteoporosis and nutrition and catastrophic disease. An American Cancer Society slide set, "Taking Control," was used to help people help themselves to better health through food and wellness techniques. Other program emphases were exercise, menu planning, and food facts (related to sodium, cholesterol, iron, basic nutrition, anorexia, and bulimia). This material was also used by the Public Health Nursing Service at meetings and county fairs.

Senior citizens learn about nutrition as they eat their meals at community meal sites.

Food, Agriculture, and Nutrition (FAN) forums were part of an Intercollegiate Nutrition Consortium jointly sponsored by the College of Agriculture, College of Home Economics, School of Medicine, and Extension. It was funded by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation and cooperatively planned by home economics and community development program units. Participants were taught leadership skills for family policy development, especially for persons not usually involved.

In 1987-1988 food and nutrition programs included health fraud, food additives, use of prescription and non-prescription drugs, ground water quality, and contaminants and their sources.

Television programming on quality testing of microwaved food is directed by Wanda Warnes Olson.

Senior citizens, at community meal sites and restaurants, learned about nutrition education as they ate their meals. Place mats gave information on weight control, saturated fat, and cholesterol.

A seven-county seminar on risk factors of cardiovascular diseases and cancer drew more than 200 health and education professionals. Choices for a healthy lifestyle included risk assessment, nutrition misinformation, changing dietary habits, and smoking cessation.

Other programs included nutrition and the teen athlete (attended by representatives of 14 school districts) and health care decision making, which included living wills, powers of attorney, roles of doctors and families, and hospital care and treatment.

Cluster Programming: 1989 to 1993

Back to top

Back to table of contents

In 1989 cluster programming was introduced. The operational base was still in the counties, but programs and staffing were planned through 18 county clusters. County extension educators assumed responsibility for subject matter across county lines in areas identified as clusters. Programming addressed economic, societal, legislative, personal, family, and community problems. Many programs involved cooperative planning, funding, and cooperation between Extension Home Economics and other public and private agencies and organizations. Methods of program delivery also changed, with the use of more outside resources and access to modern technology.

Families and Communities

A Young Families Newsletter distributed to 7,000 families provided information about issues related to behavior, development, and safety of children; diet and nutrition; discipline and parenting skills. Programs related to stress included "Time Out For Me," "Grief" (including grief support groups), "Teens in Distress," "Stress in the Farm Home," "Dealing with Blame," "Helping Others Through Transition," and "Balancing Work and Family."

A Red Flag/Green Flag program dealt with child abuse. Children learned about good and bad touches, skills to handle situations when alone, and awareness of whom to contact. Task force members included local law enforcement officials, clergy, school administrators, public health educators, and homemakers. Aging, an interdisciplinary statewide issue, emhasized caregiving, independent living, and community adaptation to aging. In response to the farm crisis, extension home economists joined the Minnesota Department of Human Services in a Rural Mental Health Demonstration Project, funded by the National Institute of Mental Health. A Family Day Care Newsletter was distributed to 7,500 care-givers. It was also provided to approximately 100 day care staff, about 500 foster parents, social services workers, and school staff. With a development grant from USDA, Minnesota, Missouri, Iowa, Michigan, and Nebraska cooperatively produced stress management materials, based on research from a north central region project. A Minnesota family life specialist and family social science research representative produced a video, "A Family's Fall," which depicted a family's denial in times of stress.

A one-day conference, "Spirit of Family," was held to discuss topics of sexuality, sexual stereotyping, learned values, and effects of violence and addiction on children. Partners in Parenting, with volunteers trained to be "mentor moms," helped young parents plan their attention, energy, time, and income to meet needs of each child, and helped teens develop self-esteem in themselves and their children.

A one-day conference for professionals titled "Family Issues: Research for You," focused on the elderly and their families. University of Minnesota faculty presented current research on disease and mental health, care giving, and linking two generations. "Saying `No' for the Right Reasons" (for older women) focused on managing one's time in volunteer roles.

A multimedia resource center for families in the community in cooperation with a family sociologist, included materials for the areas of growing Hispanic populations and other ethnic groups.

A program on communication skills for teenagers was titled "Between Parent and Teen: Making the Most of It," and one for grandparents was called "Communication Between Parents and Children."

Volunteer and Leadership Development

Extension Home Economics worked closely with the community and economic development program area on educational programs for community members to create a higher quality of life for individuals and families. From this effort came programs on:

• Farm/city interdependence (to gain understanding and appreciation for lifestyles and occupations chosen by county residents and to develop better understanding between rural and urban residents).
  
  
• Taxes-who should pay and why?
  
  
• Planning for a new business.
  
  
• Small resorts for profit.
  
  
• Women and public decision making.
  
  

In addition, the two units sponsored:

• A Community Networking Breakfast (CNB) for agencies and groups to discuss issues and share resources for problem solving.
  
  
• Development of a community directory of community resources.
  
  

Trained volunteer telephone teachers handled an average of 6,000 calls per year on consumer concerns in the metro area. To respond to consumer questions, over 100 telephone teachers received eight hours training on the IBM-PC computer retrieval system using the new Answer-U data base.

The Kellogg Foundation funded a Family Community Leadership (FCL) conference on skills, personal development, and public affairs for community volunteers. It helped people develop competencies and confidence for greater involvement in public affairs, especially family issues. A total of 103 individuals on 30 teams became involved in FCL in a variety of ways. The FCL program was advised by a ten-member board of representatives from all geographic areas of extension home economics.

In 1989, in home economics study groups in three counties taught by local leaders, 1,000 members learned about the state legislative process and followed up with a trip to the state legislature.

Over a nine-month period two volunteers in each of eleven counties reached 1,046 persons in southeast Minnesota with information about nutrition, meal planning, food buying, and food safety.

Two volunteer home study group members from each of seven counties in the metro cluster planned leader training programs with specialized agents and state specialists. Programs included "Parenting and the Adult Child," "Care Options as We Age," and "Putting Pizzazz in Your Presentation.

In 1990 a leadership program, "Leadership for Individuals and Families: Today and Tomorrow" (LIFTT), was started to continue focus on family policy in the 1990s.

Pilot CD-ROM Computer Project: 1991

Back to top

Back to table of contents

In 1991 Extension Home Economics contributed several of its educational materials to a national extension CD-ROM disk (produced by Interactive Design and Development, Inc.). This collection of extension materials included the Nutrinet nutrition newsletter, home economics specialists' reports, family life education packets, and home economics newsletters. The disk provides computer access to this material, and is used at over 35 sites in Minnesota as well as by other extension offices, libraries, and schools across the country.

Program Direction 1990 and Beyond

Back to top

Back to table of contents

In May 1990 a conference for the extension home economics program area focused on "Richness Through Diversity: Populations, Policies, Programs" to set the stage for future county programming. In 1991 programs centered on the changing roles of family members, economic issues, population and consumer prices, consumer habits, family needs and services, waste management, and regaining resiliency after loss (by death, unemployment, injury, illness, or divorce).

Produced by Communication and Educational Technology Services, University of Minnesota Extension.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, this material is available in alternative formats upon request. Please contact your University of Minnesota Extension office or the Extension Store at (800) 876-8636.

University of Minnesota Extension is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, or sexual orientation.