Minnesota Extension Home Economics Past and Present

Early food demonstration teams were in response to needs assessments of local homemakers' groups.

Part Six:

Summary: 12 Key Factors in Success

Of Extension Home Economics/

Family Living Programs

1

Local Leader Concept

The primary factor in the success of extension home economics was the use of local volunteer leaders to teach subject matter in their homemaker clubs. They were trained by county home economists and state subject matter specialists on topics of interest to them and their families. They gained leadership skills, expanded their knowledge, and provided subject matter to other women in their communities.

2

Farm Bureau Women's Committees

In the early years of extension, Farm Bureau women's committees cooperated to organize homemaker groups and to plan county homemaker programs, based on needs assessments of homemakers. They worked closely with home demonstration agents to stimulate cooperation, leadership, and development of county extension home economics programs and community committees.

3

Extension Home Councils

Active extension home councils were organized and continued to expand on leadership started by the Farm Bureau committees. Local homemaker groups elected officers to represent townships on the county councils. Councilors worked as an advisory group with home agents to plan and implement local programs. Councilors learned and provided strong leadership in their counties, and formed a linkage statewide as they met and planned with members of the state extension staff.

4

County Program Planning Process

The process of program planning involved people in their communities, identifying their educational interests and needs for programs at the county level. County agents and home agents worked with local leaders to develop basic information and goals toward which they directed programs and activities. With assistance and guidance from state specialists and program leaders, long-range program planning or program projection provides future direction for program effort.

5

Minnesota Association of Home Demonstration Agents

The formation of the MAEHE was a base of support and peer interaction for county home economists. It provided opportunity for personal improvement and professional recognition of agents, promoted increased salaries for home economists, and provided interaction on successes and problems associated with the job. As the organization merged with county agents and 4-H agents, other avenues of coordination, cooperation, and support were possible.

6

Expanded Resources in the 1960s and 1970s

During the 1960s and 1970s, funding for Extension was increased at county, state, and federal levels, and additional support was available from other government, industry, and private organizations. This provided opportunity for new positions to be created in additional subject areas, including food service management, housing, energy, rehabilitation, EFNEP, and psychology. This expanded the outreach and visibility of Extension Home Economics to new community and business clientele.

7

Staff Development and Training

With expanded emphasis on staff development and training, county and state home economists had increased opportunities for inservice training, self improvement, or graduate study. This improved their performance and contributed to longer tenure and increased salaries and benefits of extension home economists.

8

Extension Program Development Process

A statewide program development process provided background and organization for a strong base for the total extension staff to work together to plan, implement, coordinate, and evaluate educational programs. Planning and coordination between county agents, specialists, and district, area, and state administrators strengthened programs within and between all program areas.

9

Integration Into College of Home Economics (Human Ecology)

The integration of Extension Home Economics into collegiate departments increased program coordination between specialists and research faculty.

10

Focused Program Priorities

Extension Home Economics focused on priority programs. These priorities were selected in response to conditions of the economy and society, cultural conditions, and community issues at given periods of time. This history summarizes changes in program content and delivery in response to conditions which changed over time and human and monetary resources available at given periods of time. Extension Home Economics responds to a changing world.

11

Cluster Programming

Cluster programming moves extension home economics program effort into economic, societal, public policy, personal, family, and community issues identified as high priority to local communities. Technology has offered new opportunities for communication and program delivery methods. Extension educators have clearly defined specializations and act as local resources in cross-county programming. Leadership for extension home economics within departments will further change the approach to county programming. Programs in the year 2000 will be interesting to note.

12

Support by Educational Development System

Through the years, faculty members in EDS have provided excellent cooperation, direction guidance, and support in extension home economics programming. Publications, correspondence, graphics, photographs, radio and television productions, computer programs, and other audiovisual assistance have enhanced our educational program effort.

Summary: What We Have Learned

Local volunteer leaders throughout the state and program planning, based on perceived county needs, interacting with resources of counties and the University, have resulted in carefully executed program thrusts in home study groups at the local level.

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

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