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pecker: at the Officers' left to right: \otrs. Jas. Huggerfy, Pres, ‘ IO, Miss Helen McKerâ€" her, Director Home Econo- mics Service, Mrs. Nancy Adams, Pres. FWIC, Mrs. Hugh Summers, a Regional Tine-Pres. ACWW. Dr. Nix was not present when the picture was taken. â€"â€"-O.A.C. Photo HOME ECONOMICS SERVICE Miss Helen McKercher, Director of the Home Economics Extension Service of the Ontario Department of Agriculture, speaking on the programme for the coming year, said; “Enthusiastic planning and much hard work has gone into the programme. We feel we must concern ourselves with quality in our programmes the same as you do with all your meetings. One programme of top quality is to be preferred over ten than are mediocre. For your faith and interest in the Home Economics programme in the past we say “thank you,” and hope that your interest will continue. We appreciate receiving your splendid reports and comments on the courses you have had in your branches. It gives our staff members a lift and I would like you to know that we see that your compliments are passed on. Something else we appreciate is that from our staff reports we believe the attendance has increased and this is because of your good planning and advance publicity. Your positive influence upon families can continue to be sig- nificant if you maintain high quality standards and if your members do change some of their practices whether it is in respect to foods, clothing or in better family living. “We are faced with many changes today, possibly our farm population change is as great as any, but we are safe in saying that the Ontario home is here to stay, and your motto ‘For Home and Country’ is very sound. Our ancestors moved about, but this mobility was and is a growth factor. Your organization did not grow like Topsy, but on dedication of Purpose and will, selectiOn and standards, and with a sense of “togetherness” â€" being logether, working together. These same 0b- Jectives are basic in developing a Home Eco~ SUMMER 1957 nomics service that is influential in our homes â€"what we eat. what we wear, what we have, what we think, what we do. It sounds simple enough but it is complex, for the home is the focus of our lives, its front yard is the com- munity and the community reaches out to the world. History begins at home, as do charity and home economics and just about every- thing else in life that is good. including the faiths and freedoms we cherish a respect for individual rights, the idea of mutual services â€" foundations of good citizenship, meaning of responsibility, problems of health, and all the forces that make the home an important part of the world today, as well as a place of security and happiness for the family. “But every standard home economics can stand on its feet as a part of the education we want for the adults of every generation. No problem in home economics is not a part in the social structure of our life. All this leads up to the point that we want to broaden our Home Economics programme to include family living. We hope you will be interested â€"not only for yourselves but for all the young people in your community. “Our Home Economics Programme is to inâ€" clude an additional service this year â€" not only short courses but Local Leaders’ Training Schools. There is no need to explain short courses. The plans are the same, except in that the Department of Agriculture is hearing the expense of supplies for the food courses. Local Leaders’ Training Schools are introduc~ ed into the programme because we feel this is an ideal method of extension teaching in that as well as spreading knowledge it helps to develop people, their administrative ability, resourcefulness and initiative. Also it makes use of many well trained honiemakers such 11