National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences

National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences is a professional organization that supports Family and Consumer Sciences education, with a focus on Cooperative Extension and Land-grant university programs. The organization was established in 1933 as the National Association of Extension Home Economists, with the goal of promoting Home economics education and providing resources for Extension agents working in Rural development and Community development. Today, the organization has over 2,500 members, including Extension educators, Researchers, and Professors from Land-grant universities such as Cornell University, University of California, Davis, and Texas A&M University. The organization is affiliated with the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges, and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, United States Department of Agriculture.

● History

The organization has a rich history, dating back to the early 20th century when Home economics was first introduced as a field of study at Cornell University and other Land-grant universities. The Smith-Lever Act of 1914 provided funding for Cooperative Extension programs, which led to the establishment of Extension offices in every state, including Alabama Cooperative Extension System, University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, and University of California Cooperative Extension. The organization's early leaders, including Ellen Swallow Richards and Martha Van Rensselaer, played a key role in shaping the field of Home economics and promoting Extension education. The organization has also been influenced by other notable figures, such as Jane Addams, Florence Nightingale, and Margaret Mead, who have contributed to the development of Social work, Nursing, and Anthropology.

● Mission_and_Objectives

The mission of the organization is to support Family and Consumer Sciences education and promote Extension programs that improve the quality of life for individuals and families, particularly in Rural areas and Underserved communities. The organization's objectives include providing professional development opportunities for Extension educators and Researchers, promoting Research and Evaluation in Family and Consumer Sciences, and advocating for Policy and Legislation that supports Family and Consumer Sciences education, such as the Agriculture Act of 2014 and the Every Student Succeeds Act. The organization is also committed to promoting Diversity, equity, and inclusion in Family and Consumer Sciences education, and has partnered with organizations such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the American Indian Higher Education Consortium to achieve this goal.

● Membership_and_Leadership

The organization has a diverse membership, including Extension educators, Researchers, and Professors from Land-grant universities and other institutions, such as Harvard University, Stanford University, and University of Chicago. The organization's leadership includes a President, Vice President, and Board of Directors, who are elected by the membership and serve terms of two to three years. The organization also has a number of Committees and Task forces that focus on specific areas, such as Professional development, Research, and Advocacy, and has partnered with organizations such as the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers to promote Education policy and Legislation.

● Programs_and_Initiatives

The organization offers a range of programs and initiatives to support Family and Consumer Sciences education, including Professional development opportunities, Research grants, and Awards for outstanding Extension educators and Researchers. The organization also provides resources and support for Extension programs in areas such as Nutrition education, Financial literacy, and Youth development, and has partnered with organizations such as the United States Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and 4-H to promote Agricultural education and Youth development. The organization's Journal of Extension is a peer-reviewed publication that features Research and Evaluation studies on Extension programs and Family and Consumer Sciences education, and has published articles by notable authors such as B.F. Skinner, Jean Piaget, and Lev Vygotsky.

● Awards_and_Recognition

The organization presents a number of Awards and Recognition to outstanding Extension educators and Researchers, including the Distinguished Service Award, Early Career Award, and Research Award. The organization also recognizes Extension programs that have demonstrated excellence in areas such as Nutrition education, Financial literacy, and Youth development, and has partnered with organizations such as the National 4-H Council and the American Youth Policy Forum to promote Youth development and Education policy. The organization's Awards and Recognition programs are sponsored by organizations such as the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and have been presented to notable individuals such as Marian Wright Edelman, Geoffrey Canada, and Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot.

● Professional_Development

The organization provides a range of Professional development opportunities for Extension educators and Researchers, including Conferences, Workshops, and Online courses. The organization's Professional development programs focus on areas such as Program planning, Evaluation, and Grant writing, and have been developed in partnership with organizations such as the National Association of Social Workers, American Psychological Association, and American Sociological Association. The organization also offers Mentoring and Coaching programs for early-career Extension educators and Researchers, and has partnered with organizations such as the National Science Foundation and the Institute of Education Sciences to promote Education research and Evaluation. The organization's Professional development programs are designed to support the development of Family and Consumer Sciences professionals, and have been influenced by the work of notable educators such as John Dewey, Maria Montessori, and Rudolf Steiner.