Domestic Needs of Farm Women:

Extracts From Letters Received From Farm Women in Response to an Inquiry "How the U.S. Department of Agriculture Can Better Meet the Needs of Farm Housewives"

With Special Reference to the Provision of Instruction and Practical Demonstrations in Home Economics Under the Act of May 8, 1914, Providing for Cooperative Agricultural Extension Work, Etc.

1915

National Agricultural Library

Report Number 104

The Secretary of Agriculture, on October 1, 1913, addressed a letter to the housewives of 55.000 crop correspondents asking them to suggest ways in which the United States Department of Agriculture could render more direct service to the farm women of the United States. This inquiry was prompted by the following extract from a letter addressed to the Secretary by Mr. Clarence Poe. Raleigh, X. C. under date of July 9, 1913

Have some bulletins for the farmer's wife, as well as for the farmer himself. The farm woman has been the most neglected factor in the rural problem, and she has been especially neglected by the National Department of Agriculture. Of course, a few such bulletins are printed, but not enough.

Although the department had issued many bulletins and publications designed to give farm women practical aid in household operations, and to assist them in poultry raising, butter making, gardening, and other farm activities commonly discharged by women, Mr. Poe's suggestion seemed to merit careful investigation.

Moreover, at the time that Mr. Poe wrote, the Smith-Lever Act, providing for cooperative agricultural extension work, was under discussion by the Congress, with prospects of an early passage. This act as drafted, and since passed, provided for "the giving of instruction and practical demonstrations in agriculture and home economics." This, it was seen, would call on this department to cooperate with the States in furnishing a new type of instruction specifically designed to aid farm women in their important tasks of homemaking and domestic manufacturing. For this reason it seemed especially important to seek information as to the things in which the rural women most needed cooperative assistance.

This report is offered, therefore, with the belief that it contains suggestions well worthy of governmental consideration and also in the hope that it may prove suggestive and helpful to the State agencies that will have the carrying out of the Smith-Lever Act. That act, starting this year with a grant of $10,000 of Federal moneys to each State, by increasing annual appropriations makes available in 1922 and thereafter a sum of $4,580,000 of Federal funds for use in the extension fields. The States must duplicate with their funds all but $480,000 of each annual Federal appropriation, so that after 1921, if the States elect to receive their full quota, the sum of $8,680,000 will be spent each year in practical on-the-farm education. In the first nine fiscal years a total of $41,920,000 should be directed to this purpose.

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Government Printing Office