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Food Facts Bureau Poster
SHSND# 10935-P490 Scientists employed by the AES and NDAC/SU turned to Extension agents to make information on raising and preserving fruits and vegetables available to the public.
Typically research bulletins from the AES and circulars by Extension employees were available to the public through the county Extension office. Some counties had a Home Economist who specialized in preserving foods.
Extension was funded by the 1913 Smith Lever Act. The program was optional at first, but in 1917 every agricultural county in the U.S. was required to have an Extension agent to help farmers and gardeners increase production for the war effort. After 1920, the program again became optional. During that time, approximately half of North Dakota’s counties had an Extension agent. The program was again required by the Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA) of 1933 and all of ND’s counties have had an Extension office since then.
Emmons County Extension office, like others in the state began sponsoring Homemakers’ Clubs (often organized by township) and 4-H clubs (sometimes called Corn Clubs or another name) in the 1930s. While these organizations had planned programs from which the members could choose an area of interest, it is seldom that gardening appears as a program. For instance, in 1935, fourteen Homemakers’ Clubs in Emmons County held meetings monthly (most for about 10 months). Out of approximately 140 meeting choices, only one club chose one program (Insect Pests of Gardens) on gardening. Nor did the report on Achievement Day (a program for both 4-H and Homemakers’) include any exhibits on gardening. Perhaps the discouraging climate diminished their interest in garden topics, but the next several years show similar trends. (Emmons County Annual Report 1935)