Minnesota Extension Home Economics Past and Present

Part Five:

Research by Extension Home Economics Faculty

EFNEP (Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program) has helped hundreds of Minnesota families eat better, healthier, and more economically since its inception in 1968-1970.

Replies From County Extension Educators Replies From Extension Home Economics Specialists Replies From Retired County Home Economists Replies From Retired District Directors

The June 1993 letter and questionnaire sent to extension staff members (see page 54) produced the following list of research projects completed by extension home economists. Additional research has been done, but these are examples of research that led to extension programs in the counties.

Replies from County Extension Educators

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Learning in Extension Homemaker Groups Through Volunteer Leader Training Method

Master of Education research project completed in 1975. Funding source: Minnesota Extension Service. Description: The purpose of this study was to determine whether learning of nutritional and food safety principles occurs in the traditional volunteer leader training method in extension homemaker groups, and whether the knowledge gained is retained. The consistency of the results led the investigators to conclude that traditional leader training structure results in a significant learning of principles and the retention of the principles. One outcome was renaming the program "Extension Home Study Group Program."

Shirley Barber, Ramsey Co. Extension Educator, and Charles Ramsey, Professor, Rural Sociology, University of Minnesota (retired)

Day Care Needs of Rural Families

Secondary research completed in 1982. Description: Review of literature related to day care effects on children, with special considerations related to rural families.

Mary Lou Ihrke, Blue Earth County Extension Educator

Newlyweds' Financial Managerial Effectiveness and Satisfaction, and Marital Satisfaction

Masters thesis completed in 1982. Funding source: Self. Description: Study of newlyweds' financial practices and attitudes, correlated with overall satisfaction.

Christy Bubolz, Koochiching County Extension Educator

Coping Strategies of American Indian Youth

Completed in 1987. Description: The purpose of this study was to identify behaviors that American Indian youth find helpful in managing problems or difficult situations that happen to them or to members of their families.

Constance Simenson, Beltrami County Extension Educator

Bereavement Support Network

Completed 1989 to 1993. Funding source: Minnesota Central Initiative Fund. Description: A community support network in bereavement developed, with Memorial Hospital in Cambridge, Minnesota, continuing the funding after the pilot study.

Jean Anderson, Isanti County Extension Educator and County Extension Director

Southwest Minnesota Gambling Survey

Completed January 1992. Funding sources: Southwest Initiative Fund, Southern State University at Marshall, Minnesota Extension Service and Project Turnabout. Description: A random sample survey was sent to 3,500 households in 21 counties of southwest Minnesota to determine participation in gambling activities, increase knowledge base, promote public awareness, give direction for gambling education, and give data to decision makers.

Sandra Syverson, Jackson County, Shirley Anderson, Lyon County, and Roselyn Biermaier, Yellow Medicine County, Extension Educators

Koochiching County Recycling Habits and Knowledge

Completed May 1992. Funding source: self. Description: Polled fifth graders on knowledge and behaviors related to Koochiching County home recycling.

Christy Bubolz, Koochiching County Extension Educator

Replies from Extension Home Economics Specialists

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Laundry Research Project

Completed in 1964. Funding sources: Home economics departments at Universities of Minnesota and South Dakota. Description: Purpose was to determine mineral content of water on home laundering. The county home economist in Nobles County mailed and collected preliminary surveys. Approximately 70 percent were returned and 25 people were willing to participate. Twelve were selected by the statistician to take part in the Minnesota pilot. Results were used to organize a larger project involving several areas in each of the two states.

Wanda Warnes Olson, Extension Specialist, Housing Technology

Work of Farm Women

Completed in 1980s. Funding source: Emma B. Howe Foundation. Description: The research indicated that farm women were very involved in both physical labor of farm business and decision making. Forty-six percent of farm women worked off the farm. Much of what they earn goes to family living or to support the farm.

Sharon Danes, Extension Specialist, Family Resource Management

Handcrafted Paper From Indigenous Plant and Agricultural Residue for Economic Development

Completed in 1980s. Funding sources: U.S. Aid for International Development, Minnesota Extension Service (Home Economics), College of Home Economics/Human Ecology (Design, Housing, and Apparel Department), University of Minnesota International Programs, Twin Cities Home Economics Association, Organization of American States, Human Employment and Resource Training (HEART) Trust-Jamaica, Blandin Foundation, Early Stage Technology Development Fund-Office of Research and Technology Transfer Administration, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, and Association for the Protection of the Environment-Egypt.

Description: Investigation and utilization of nonwood fibers for paper production in small settings to augment individual, family, and community income, without adversely affecting the environment. "Alternative to the forest" fibers are proving to have significant potential from both economic and ecological perspectives. Beginning in 1986, as a outgrowth of a CHE-sponsored trip to Jamaica to assist with inexpensive crafts for economic development, the indigenous handcrafted paper research has expanded internationally and domestically and now includes:

• The establishment of a papermaking training and production center in Kingston, Jamaica, the only such facility in the Caribbean area, where acid-free papers and paper-based products are being produced and marketed.
  
  
• A feasibility study of natural Minnesota fibers for papermaking-very positive and potent.
  
  
• A feasibility study of agricultural residue-continuing. Indications are very positive.
  
  
• The planning of a papermaking training and production center now under construction in Cairo, Egypt, that will employ 150 women using recycled office-generated paper, banana, and common reed fibers.
  
  
• Discussions are underway to establish a paper-making training and production center in Minnesota that will utilize Minnesota indigenous and agricultural fibers.
  
  

Harold Alexander, Extension Specialist, Interior Design, and Marjorie Alexander, Artist/Paper-maker

Outdoor Winter Wear

Completed in 1980. Funding source: Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Minnesota. Cooperator: Ruth Franzen, Department of Textiles and Clothing, University of Minnesota. Description: A consumer market survey of rural population in extreme winter temperatures with a variety of outdoor winter wear. The survey, with male students in Cass and Itasca Counties, examined usage and care of insulated jackets and consumer criteria for selection when purchasing a jacket. The survey was followed by programs on selection of outdoor wear for Minnesota winters.

Sherri Johnson Gahring, Extension Specialist, Textiles and Apparel

Investigation of Home Improvement Fraud

Completed 1984. Funding source: Minnesota Extension Service. Description: Criminal investigation and expert testimony involving basement waterproofing swindle in Minneapolis-St. Paul and Springfield, Illinois 1980 to 1984.

William Angell, Extension Housing Specialist

Diet Research

Completed in 1983. Funding source: $12,500 grant by Ross Laboratories. Description: To determine the effects of complete liquid formula diets, with fiber, on bowel function, fecal composition, blood profiles, and mineral balance in healthy human adults.

Joanne Slavin, Extension Nutritionist

Vitamin C Retention

Completed in 1983. Cooperators: Joe Warthesen and Zata Vicker, University of Minnesota. Funding source: University of Minnesota. Description: Studies on sensory quality, nutrient retention, and energy consumption of food prepared by different cooking methods. Ten vegetables were studied. In all cases, the boiling method showed the lowest retention of vitamin C. Pressure cooking, steaming, and microwave methods showed the highest vitamin C retention and were not significantly different from each other.

Isabel Wolf, Extension Nutritionist

Criteria for Placement of the Microwave Oven in the Residential Kitchen

Completed in 1985. Funding source: Agricultural Experiment Station. Description: Criteria were developed for both safe and convenient height and for work center placement of the microwave for one- and two-cook kitchens. These criteria have been helpful to consumers making decisions, and are the basis for related guidelines of the National Kitchen and Bath Industry.

Wanda Warnes Olson, Extension Specialist, Housing Technology, and Becky Yust, Department of Design, Housing and Apparel, University of Minnesota

Regional Indoor Air Quality Training

1987 and ongoing. Funding source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Description: Interstate, interagency investigation of indoor air quality and condensation problems in tri-state homes.

William Angell, Extension Housing Specialist

Home-Delivered Meals: Food Quality, Nutrient Content and Characteristics of Recipients

Completed in 1988. Funding source: Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Minnesota. Cooperator: Elaine Asp, Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota. Description: Diet recalls, menus, and interviews of 30 adults receiving home-delivered meals in urban setting. Results identified concern about food safety as well as nutrient intake (low calorie and nutrient intake, especially for women).

Mary Darling, Extension Nutritionist

Coronary Heart Disease

Completed in 1990. Cooperator: Catherine Carson, administrative fellow, University of Minnesota. Funding source: W. K. Kellogg Foundation grant awarded to the Intercollegiate Nutrition Consortium. Description: A four-page survey distributed by Minnesota home economists was received from 1,241 adult respondents (46 percent male and 54 percent female). There was high interest by respondents in cholesterol and nutritional concerns. Results of the survey were used in development of programs on coronary heart disease, overweight, and high cholesterol levels.

Craig Hassel, Extension Nutritionist

Tourism and Craft Marketing: Producers, Consumers and Retailers

A North Central Region three-state project completed in 1991. Funding source: North Central Region Rural Development Center. Description: The purpose of the project was to identify strategies for marketing crafts to tourists, and to develop educational programming that will contribute to increased income opportunities for rural craft producers and craft retailers.

Sherri Johnson Gahring, Extension Specialist, Textiles and Apparel

Children's Lives in a Minnesota Community

Completed in 1992 in Isanti County. Funding source: Grant from the human ecology program of Minnesota Extension Service. Description: The project was designed to increase knowledge about children and to foster a "child- and family-friendly" community. The study was to determine how children perceive their community and how they spend their time in the community during summer vacation. Data was gathered by interviewing and observing children (ages 7-13) and having them draw community maps and keep logs of daily activities. Interviewing identified "community leaders," and observing identified goings-on in the community. A local teenage girl and a project graduate assistant conducted the interviews and observation. University of Minnesota extension educators had major roles in gaining support of school and city officials. The project demonstrated a method of procuring sound data and, at the same time, promoted community action to stimulate thoughtful consideration of the children's place in the community.

Ronald Pitzer, Family Sociologist

Replies from Retired County Home Economists

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Diet Recalls: Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program

1970s and continuing. Funding source: Federal extension service. Description: Diet recalls were taken on the first or second visit to each homemaker and periodically thereafter to measure progress. Six-month county summaries were made to evaluate changes in food habits.

Evelyn Dose, Ramsey County Urban Extension Agent (retired)

Together Successfully

Completed in 1990. Funding source: Foundations, service organizations, University of Minnesota, and national Association for Retarded Children. Description: 120-page manual, based on six years of research in creating, managing, and evaluating educational and recreational programming for integrated settings that produce skill development, positive social interactions, and attitudinal and personal growth in youth, with and without handicaps.

Catharine Nelson, Ramsey County Extension Director and 4-H Educator (retired), and John Rynders and Stuart Schleien, University of Minnesota.

Replies from Retired District Directors

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Study of Homemaker Study Groups in Minnesota

Completed in 1975. Funding source: Minnesota Extension Service. Description: Study of members of homemaker groups in all counties to determine characteristics of members and improve programs. Data included age of members, family structure, occupational status, educational attainment, participation in other organizations, participation motives, and leadership. Learning in leader training, learning in homemaker groups, and retention of knowledge were studied and organizational objectives developed.

Rosella Qualey, Arlene Barkeim, and Minerva Jenson, Assistant District Directors (retired), and Charles Ramsey, Professor, Rural Sociology, University of Minnesota (retired).

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