Scenes from the second day of the AEHC annual state meeting in Little Rock. (Image courtesy Joy West)
By Tracy Courage
As 2026 approaches, many people will make familiar resolutions — to get healthier, manage their money better, or learn something new — in the new year. Arkansas Extension Homemakers Clubs offers a way to accomplish all three goals and more.
For the first four months of the year, EHC clubs will offer monthly programs focused on a specialty area within Extension’s Family and Consumer Science division — including health, nutrition, personal finance and family life.
The 2026 featured lessons include:
• January — Health and Well-being – Living a Healthier Life through the 8 Dimensions of Wellness
• February — Family Life – Smartphone Smarts: A Guide to Healthier Scrolling Habits
• March — Nutrition – Stay Safe: Food, Fundraisers, Potlucks & Picnics
• April — Personal Finance – Consumer Protection: How to Avoid the Latest Scams
“The curricula are written by state specialists who are experts in their field,” said Laura Hendrix, statewide advisor for EHC clubsand extension’s personal finance expert. “I encourage clubs to offer these programs across the state.”
Extension Homemakers, one of the state’s largest volunteer organizations, is part of the Cooperative Extension Service, the outreach arm of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. EHC’s three-part mission is to empower people through informal education in Family and Consumer Sciences, leadership development, and community service.
Each year, the organization surveys its members to assess impact. The 2025 survey showed:
• 64% of members said they make a difference in their communities because of EHC
• 65% gained new knowledge and skills
• 48% are more comfortable in leadership roles
• 88% are more active as volunteers
In 2025, EHC clubs in Arkansas reported a combined 5,040 volunteers who contributed 337,778 volunteer hours, valued at $11.7 million.
For more information about EHC, visit uaex.uada.edu/ehc or contact your county extension agent. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk.
