They’ve taught generations of Manitoba women the facts on food safety and nutrition.
They’ve shared tips on sewing and balancing family finances.
But these days, the home economists who work for Manitoba Agriculture find themselves spending more time working with rural businesses, food processors and other groups looking at adding value to farm products.
So the 22 women are thinking about changing their job title. One idea is Agri-Food and Family Business Specialist.
“One of the problems of the name ‘home economist’ with its traditional roots is that it’s one of the things that holds us back,” said Debora Lyall, of the home economics section of Manitoba Agriculture.
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Lyall, a home economist since 1979, admits cooking and sewing aren’t her strengths. But she’s proud of her profession and its title, despite some of the baggage it may carry.
“Personally, I have some reluctance of giving it up and moving on,” she said.
Doesn’t reflect work
But Lyall noted most home economists in Canada have job titles different from their professional designation.
Her section started thinking about a name change a couple of years ago when it began working on goals and strategies.
She attended the recent annual meeting of the Manitoba Women’s Institute to gauge reaction to the idea.
By fall, the home economists will report ideas and reaction to senior officials in the agriculture department, who will make the final decision.
Lyall told the MWI annual meeting that whatever the job title, the home economists will still work with the family in mind.
Because of changes on Manitoba farms, many brought about by the end of the Crow grain transportation subsidy, home economists spend more time on market development and promotion, value-added and diversification, human resources and financial risk management.
For the first time, they are also spending time talking to people outside the industry, making consumers more aware of what farmers do.
The home economics section developed a kit for people wanting to start their own food processing business on the farm.
They’ve talked to Dutch farmers interested in buying Manitoba hog farms, providing information about weather and rural Manitoba lifestyle.
