HomeMy WebLinkAboutProclamation proclaiming December 18-24, 2011 as Family and Consumers Science Week Family& Consumer
C I E N C E S
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Proclamation
Family and Consumer Sciences Week in Orange County
WHEREAS, in 1911, Jane Simpson McKimmon created the home demonstration program, a
"rural women's college" where women were provided an opportunity to learn skills that would
provide ample food for their families, yet also provide additional income that could provide
necessities for the entire family, educate the children, and buy conveniences to make life
easier, affording an improved living standard for all; and
WHEREAS, home demonstration evolved into Home Economics and now Family and
Consumer Sciences (FCS), with a rich history of significant contributions to North Carolina's
well being for over 100 years and today helps 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; and
WHEREAS, FCS Agents, in partnership with volunteers in home demonstration clubs, now
known as Extension and Community Association Clubs (ECA), started or supported many
programs that are taken for granted today such as the development of rural libraries and
book mobile programs; the establishment of hot lunch programs in NC rural schools; and the
delivery of electrical services to rural North Carolina homes; and
WHEREAS, the idea of farmers markets' and local foods originated with Home
Demonstration Curb Markets in the 1920's with Jane S. McKimmon introducing the concept
of women and girls selling surplus produce to supplement family income resulting in 55 home
demonstration curb markets in the state by 1940 with an income of almost $1,200,000 for
farm families; and
WHEREAS, home demonstration club women raised more than half of the $4,000,000
needed for the renovation of the US Army hospital ship Larkspur during World War II through
the sale of more than $2 million in war bonds;
NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby proclaim
December 18-24, 2011, as Family and Consumer Sciences Week in Orange County and
urge the people of the County to make use of the extraordinary benefits of this exceptional
program that enhances all aspects of the lives of individuals and families and to join us in
recognizing the unique partnership between the County and the state University System.
This the 13th day of December 2011.
Bernadette Pelissier, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
State Unimity '
A&T State University ^ ►n+.
INC STATE
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