I’m still reading through my musty-smelling Time-Life Foods of the World series, collected from various used bookstores along the west coast. In one of the books on American cooking, there was a side note on eggs. It described various cooking methods and then stated that if you weren’t really sure how to cook eggs, you should contact your “county home-demonstration agent”. “Huh?” said I, and off to the web I went. I found many mentions of home-demonstration agents on web pages chronicling women and home life in the early 1900’s.

A job description from TBRNet reads: “Develops, organizes, and conducts programs for individuals in rural communities to improve farm and family life: Lectures and demonstrates techniques in such subjects as nutrition, clothing, home management, home furnishing, and child care. Visits homes to advise families on problems, such as family budgeting and home remodeling. Organizes and advises clubs, and assists in selecting and training leaders to guide group discussions and demonstrations in subjects, such as sewing, food preparation, and home decoration. Writes leaflets and articles and talks over radio and television to disseminate information. Participates in community activities, such as judging at rural fairs and speaking before parent-teachers associations. May direct 4-H Club activities.” In reading through the short biographies of women who held these jobs, it seems many were pioneers in the field of home economics, and had the opportunity, rare for women, to participate in government committees. It’s likely that this job still exists in some communities.

The home-demonstration agent appears to have been connected to the Cooperative Extension System, run by the USDA. They publish a Journal of Extension, where I discovered a review of the 1968 novel “County Agent”. It relates the tale of a home economics major who trains to be a home demonstration agent, surviving through tragedy, acceptance by the community, and fix-ups with the local county agricultural agent (apparently the male love interest). As the reviewer notes, this book now serves more as a historical document than a modern novel. I have an interest in “dated” girl’s series books, many of which are now hard to find and sell as collector’s items. I enjoy the nostalgic whimsy of reading the romanticized, often blatantly racist and sexist, tales of women forging non-traditional paths in times not so very distant. It’s heartening to realize what strides have been made recently, and sometimes, it’s a bit sad to remember where we still need to go.