EXHIBITS
Partnership of the Extension Program and the College of Family Life: The Extension in Wartime
The First World War made many changes within the country, and the Extension program was no different. The Utah Agricultural College added to its responsibilities the task of working with the government to implement food conservation programs.[1] To do this, more agents were needed to be able to spread the program and classes throughout the state.[2] Besides food conservation, other wartime projects included community playgrounds, health care, and other public places such as libraries.[3] These projects helped women be aware of the different resources available to them during wartime. Gertrude McCheyne wrote of this time in the Trustees Report of 1917-18:
"The past two years have seen a wonderful development in the awakening of the women of the State to the necessity for improved methods of living, especially as related to child welfare. The call of the War Emergency was all that was needed to show that Utah women have not forgotten the lessons of thrift learned in pioneer days."[4]
At the close of World War I, funds for the Extension were depleted and a call for better efficiency was made. The Extension program re-organized its leadership, establishing the role of an Extension director, as well as a leader for each of its departments.[5]
When war struck again, the Extension Program continued their work with food production. Extension workers also donated time to direct classes on using ration stamps, money management, home and clothing repair.[6] They provided daycare for the women who worked in the public sphere while so many local men fought on the frontlines.[7] They assisted families throughout the state until the war ended in 1945.