MISSISSIPPI HOME DEMONSTRATION WORK 



By 



Susie V. Powell, Assistant Director 



in charge of 



Home Demonstration Work 



The purpose of Home Demonstration Work is to make for better living con- 

 ditions in the rural homes and consequently in the rural communities; to afford 

 farm women and girls opportunity, without leaving their homes, to make the 

 money they need to improve living conditions, including shelter, food, clothing 

 and cultural advantages. 



In order to obtain these results, it is necessary to have organization and 

 definite plans of work, which we call projects. 



The work began in February, 1911, with the tomato project. The counties 

 were organized and about 150 girls were enrolled. Since then, as funds from 

 Federal, State and County appropriations have become available, the work has 

 increased in scope to include; projects in canning, poultry, gardening, bee-keeping, 

 clothing and textiles, dairy, basketry and labor-saving machinery for the home. 

 Projects for house planning, improvement of home grounds and interior decoration 

 will be put into effect soon. 



The conservation of food, clothing and woman power are the three important 

 features of the work embodied in the above-named projects. The increase in 

 territory covered is proportionate. About 70 counties now have Home Demon- 

 stration Agents. 



To make for economy and efficiency in the work of the County Home Demon- 

 stration Agent, and to develop community spirit, the women and girl demon- 

 strators are organized into community clubs. These clubs co-operate with similar 

 organizations of men and boys. More than 2,000 such community clubs have been 

 organized in Mississippi, with a membership totaling about 50,000. 



During the war these clubs, under the direction of the Home Demonstration 

 Agents, were invaluable in promoting all war activities, such as Liberty Bonds, 

 War Savings Stamps, Red Cross, etc. Thousands of women and girls who have 

 never had a savings account, invested in Liberty Bonds and War Savings Stamps 

 and thus learned lessons of thrift. 



The main war work of the Home Demonstration Agents was increased food 

 production through gardens, poultry, dairy and bee-keeping; conservation of food 



Annual Returns from Poultry in Mississippi, |$1 0,000,000 

 38 



