A24-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, December 12, 1987 Extension Services: BY LOU ANN GOOD LANCASTER For 24 years, Dons Thomas, Lancaster County Extension Home Economist, has taught others to cook and sew. Now, the government is out to stop her. Why? Government critics declare that people do not need to know how to cook and sew to sur vive. By teaching cooking and sewing, they maintain, extension services are supporting hobbies that waste taxpayers dollars. The extension services have long been underfire. In recent years, major magazines have pub lished articles accusing extension services of being one of the biggest nppoffs using tax dollars. They say that in 1914 when the exten sions were established, nearly 35 percent of the nauon’s population were farmers. Today, only 2.2 per cent farm. Advocates of extension services say they have reflected these voca tional changes by adapting their educational services to the social and economical needs of society while continuing to provide educa tional services to the fanner. Their workshops offer a vital source of information for such areas as home, garden and clothing care. In the late 1960’5, more than 1,800 women enrolled in sewing workshops. But today, few sew since more woman are working outside the home, in addition out let stores are plentiful and Thomas asks, “Who can sew what today’s teens are weanng”? 1 Fniirn I I lllrstewi Has All The Features you Want In A TMR MIXER First In: • STAINLESS STEEL • TOTAL MIXED RATION • TILT DRUM DESIGN • VARIETY OF SIZES With The Most Affordable RD 1, Box 444-B New Holland, (717) 272 9732 Although the government may mock the extension’s efforts of leaching crafts, Thomas maintains their value by saying, “Crafts have provided creative use of leisure time and increased income by stretching families’ dollars in pro viding gifts and necessities. Crea tivity contributes to good, mental health.” She points out that anyone who can provide the essentials of life like shelter, food and clothing has a better outlook on life. Thomas consoles herself that ihe pendulum usually swings in the other direction. “Like phonetics,” she said, we have a whole genera tion that grew up not knowing how to sound out words because educa tors did not believe it necessary. Now they see the value and have made phonetics a part of the school curriculum Ten to fifteen years down the road, someone will sug gest adding cooking and sewing to basic living skills. In the meantime, extension ser vices across the nation arc in a great state of change. Programs arc being eliminated. There is a change of emphasis and admi nistration. In recent years, Tho mas’s role has changed from one of teaching to that of administration. For example, complaints that home economists were teaching hobbies caused the extension to shift gears. If they asked qualified instructors to teach, they could charge participants a fee and not be accused of spending taxpayers Changes On The Horizon dollars, On one hand Thomas is alternative to teaching skills previ alarmed, on the other, she believes ously taught in workshops. A pilot possible good may result. Corres- correspondent course that Thomas White Oak Mills Dairy Seminar Prim . at the White Oak Mills Dairy Seminar held Thursday and Friday are left to right: John Wagner, president; Glenn Stauffer, sales and service; Don Lloyd, director of dairy sales and John Middleton, staff nutritionist. The seminars gave local farmers in Lancaster, Dauphin, Lebanon, Franklin and Cumberland Counties the opportunity to learn about nutrition, DHIA records and udder health. The meetings were held at the Clearview Diner, Mt. Joy, and the Light house Restaurant on Route 11 south of Route 997. Price PA 17557 pondent courses and video offer an offered received more applicants than she could handle. Still, she questions whether or not the (Turn to Page A 34)
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