Extension Homemakers in Bradley County will celebrate their contributions and service to the community during May as Extension Homemakers Council Month in Arkansas.
EHC is delivered through the Cooperative Extension Service, the outreach arm of the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. Bradley County EHC clubs are among the 320 clubs statewide, with more than 3,000 members.
The three-pronged mission of EHC is to empower individuals and families to improve their quality of life through continuing education, leadership development and community service.
“EHC is a great way to make good friends, learn new skills, and to give back to your community”, said long-time member Tabitha Herrington.
“It is a wonderful experience to be a part of this service organization,” Penny Waits, the FCS Agent in Bradley County said. “Together, we love to serve our community, learn from each other and form lasting friendships.”
Bradley County has four clubs. Three clubs focus on quilting and one club, Friendship Club, is an opportunity for fellowship. EHC in Bradley County devotes many hours to community service. One of the largest EHC projects is the All Tomato Luncheon, the 69th luncheon this year. The luncheon is part of the Pink Tomato Festival.
Through Extension Homemakers Clubs, the Cooperative Extension Service connects trusted research to the adoption of best practices in Family and Consumer Sciences including culinary skills, financial management, sewing, yoga and the latest nutrition recommendations. Members have years of experience with skills and often teach quilting, knitting, crocheting, canning and more.
Arkansas Extension Homemakers began in 1912 as Home Demonstration Clubs. The clubs, organized by the Cooperative Extension Service, were essential for sharing critical information for managing family resources and food safety at a time when many rural households were isolated by distance and lacked modern tools such as electricity, phone service or access to libraries or other sources of life-saving knowledge.
Visit the Arkansas Extension Homemakers Council page on the UofA Division of Agriculture’s website to learn more about the organization or visit the Arkansas Extension Homemakers Facebook page.
