Extension Homemakers visit Capitol before biennial meeting
By Ryan McGeeney
U of A System Division of Agriculture
March 8, 2019
Fast Facts:
- With more than 4,000 members in 300+ clubs, AEHC is one of the state’s largest volunteer organizations
- Members hope to spread awareness of council’s work
- AEHC hosting national meeting in July
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LITTLE ROCK – Members of the Arkansas Extension Homemakers Council have long touted the organization as one of the state’s “best kept secrets.” But earlier this week, several dozen members set out to change that.
Members of the AEHC arrived at the Arkansas State Capitol Building on Wednesday morning, and spent more than an hour handing out literature to legislators and other passersby in the Capitol Rotunda. The visit was part of an overall effort to spread awareness of one of the oldest, predominantly female-led volunteer organizations in the state.
With more than 4,000 members working in more than 300 chapters throughout Arkansas, members of the AEHC typically donate more than 700,000 hours of volunteer service each year, a labor value of more than $16 million.
Laura Hendrix, associate professor of family and consumer science for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said the council was embarking on a new strategic plan to strengthen their efforts to empower Arkansans to improve quality of life.
“Council members will be more visible as they build partnerships – one example is their visit at the state capitol to greet legislators,” Hendrix said. “More than 250 members met at their Spring Workshop on March 6, where they launched a new statewide community service project – partnering with food banks to address the issue of food insecurity. The organization is also planning statewide educational activities to empower members to live well.”
Thursday, hundreds of members of the AEHC convened at the Vines Center in Ferndale for their biennial meeting. The 2019 theme was “Learn, Laugh and Live Well.” The day-long event featured interactive updates from Debra Head, associate department head of family and consumer science for the Division of Agriculture, Brittney Schrick, family life specialist with the Division of Agriculture, Hendrix, and others.
After the AEHC’s spring workshop in March, the council will host the national meeting of the National Volunteer Outreach Network in July.
To learn about the Extension Homemakers Council, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu/ehc. Follow the Cooperative Extension Service on Twitter at @AR_Extension.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Media Contact: Ryan McGeeney
Communication Services
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2120
rmcgeeney@uada.edu