Home demonstration work in Arkansas began in 1912 with the organization of girls' canning clubs. The first home demonstration club was organized in Mablevale, Pulaski County, Arkansas, in 1914 and Miss Emma Archer, a teacher at the Mablevale school, became the first home demonstration agent. By 1917, Arkansas had organized one hundred and fifty-nine women's home demonstration clubs which held regular meetings and had duly elected officers. The number of the clubs rose to nine hundred and thirty-five by 1930. The earliest home demonstration work plans and programs focused almost entirely on homemaking and housekeeping skills and techniques, land-use planning, and improving the rural conditions. Later, other campaigns, such as home grounds improvements, homemade homes, better child care, soil conservation, and many others were initiated and successfully carried out. The current Extension Clubs' focus is on self-improvement through continuing education, leadership development, and community service.