Homemakers Clubs

To solve the problems in homemaking the Extension Service set up a group of clubs for women called the Homemakers Clubs.  Usually these clubs are under the supervision of a specialist called the Home Extension Economist.  Some of the topics that are discussed are:

Consumer education; Instruction on nutrition (selection and preparation of food for a healthful diet, preserving food by canning or freezing.); improvement of clothing, family relationships; health; sanitation; money management; interior decorating; family estates and wills; and child care.

Some clubs have special projects as quilting bees and sponsoring health clinics.  The first club in Foster County was organized in 1921.

Extension activities in the county:

1921- Foster County Home Products Association- purpose to stimulate raising better crops at home and acquaint the outside world with Foster County.

1934- Livestock Show- held in Thompson Yard lumberyard shed.  L.R. Putnam, manager.  Home exhibits displayed in the old Post office building.  Achievement banquet held.

1936- 4-H Council organized to help plan program and coordinate efforts.  Foster County Agricultural Conservation Association began.  Wool Growers Association set up to market wool.

Voters agree to continue extension work.  Purebred Sire program set up by North Dakota Livestock Mutual Aid Corporation to set up loans for farmers to purchase bulls.

1937- Clinics on grain cleaning.  Garden club organized.  Incorporation of Rural Electric Cooperative.

1939- 400 farmers practice erosion control and water conservation methods.

In 1935 Lars A. Jensen and W.P. McDonald were co-agents in the county.  Extensive programs were established in the area of weed, rodent and insect control.  Farm accounting was the subject that created interest for 30 farmers who participated in a special activity.  They agreed to keep careful records each month which were sent to the office to be processed by a recording secretary.

A potato tour brought farmers from the southern part of the U.S. to inspect the potatoes grown here.  As a result of this tour seed potatoes were sent to these states.

To advertise the Junior Fair, a caravan of 25 cars traveled 250 miles.  Posters were set up and the band played at the various stops.  Their efforts were effective as the fair that year was the largest up until that time.

Source: A History of Foster County 1983 Page 104