Interview with Isobel Crutchfield, December 4, 1984

Interview Summary

Isobel Crutchfield was born in Todd County, Kentucky, on April 21, 1921. She received her B. S. degree in General Home Economics and her M. S. degree in Home Economics Education from the University of Kentucky. She became interested in Cooperative Extension through her work at previous home economics jobs. In 1949, Crutchfield began her career with UK's Cooperative Extension Service in Webster, County, Kentucky, as an Agent-in Training, spent nine years in Hopkins County, Kentucky, and in 1959, she came to Christian County, where she remained except for a period of time when she worked in the Purchase and Pennyrile Areas as a 4-H Field Agent. She compares living conditions today with the 1940's, where "punch button gadgets" and "instant things" that people rely on "were non-existent at the time".

Crutchfield recalls she "tried to help people to solve their problems and make decisions", and to "recognize and develop their leadership capabilities". She says that assistance from the media was invaluable in disseminating information to people. She discusses the differences between operating the Youth Day Camps and the 4-H Camps. Crutchfield describes her special interest workshops, such as estate planning, clothing construction, refinishing furniture, and handicrafts. She talks about the opportunities Cooperative Extension provides personnel for further education in order to remain current. Crutchfield discusses the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (E.F.N.E.P.), which originated to help low-income families feed their families more adequately and to improve their standard of living.

Interview Keyword

Kentucky's Cooperative Extension Service

Interview LC Subject

Crutchfield, Isobel, 1921- Crutchfield, Isobel, 1921- --Interviews Home economics University of Kentucky University of Kentucky--History University of Kentucky. Cooperative Extension Service

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.