Agenda - 12-13-2011 - 4d - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: December 13, 2011 Action Age a Item No. ~_ SUBJECT: Family and Consumer Sciences Week in Orange County Proclamation DEPARTMENT: N.C. Cooperative Extension PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Family and Consumer Sciences Week Deborah J. Taylor, Family & Consumer Proclamation Sciences Extension Agent, 245-2055 Dr. Carl Matyac, County Extension Director, 245-2051 PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation recognizing the week of December 18 through 24, 2011 as Family and Consumer Sciences Week in Orange County. BACKGROUND: The year 1911 marked the beginning of the home demonstration program in North Carolina. The program later became "home economics" and is known today as Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS). For the past century FCS professionals have helped families apply research-based knowledge and principles in an effort to improve the quality of their lives. During the first half of the 20th century, the need for education of rural farm women became evident. Families were leaving the farm to work in the cities, and this prompted the federal government to provide funding for home demonstration extension agents through the Smith- Lever Act of 1914. Dr. Jane S. McKimmon, for whom the Jane S. McKimmon Center for Continuing Education is named, was the first home demonstration agent in North Carolina. Home demonstration agents were initially assigned to help build communities. The agents worked with farm women and their children to teach them how to harvest, market, and sell their goods for profit. Soon home demonstration clubs, now known as Extension and Community Association Clubs, were common in most southern cities. These clubs provided education and economic opportunity, and were social outlets for women and children. Extension Agents were the catalysts for needed change. In 2011, the role of the Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent is still basically the same. Today FCS programs help families better understand financial planning, nutrition, food safety and preparation, environmental issues, elder care and aging issues, and the need for physical activity for better health. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with consideration of the proclamation. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the attached proclamation recognizing the week of December 18 through 24, 2011 as Family and Consumer Sciences Week in Orange County and authorize the Chair to sign the proclamation on behalf of the Board.