In 1934, the Union County Extension agents, along with the local farmers, started the Tobacco Control Program. That year there were 1,100 family farms that were located in fertile bottoms where Norris Lake is presently located. There were 1,374 farms throughout Union County.
In 1935, an extra agent, Mabel Moore, was assigned to Union County as a Special Home Demonstration Agent. She was working along with TVA to mainly focus on Soil Erosion through the Erosion Control Association. Another agent, Oma Whorley, was assigned to serve District IV.
Moore had 10 different Home Demonstration Clubs in the county that she oversaw. These clubs were: Big Ridge State Park, Paulette, Plainview, Luttrell, Brock, Cedar Grove, Sharps Chapel, Big Sinks, Rush Strong and Pleasant Grove.
Through the Soil Erosion Program, Extension then worked with the local Vocational Agricultural Class from the high school. This is when Norris Lake was being formed and Norris Dam was being built.
Agent Moore organized the Home Improvement Program known as the “Better Homes” Campaign. There were 232 households that participated and benefitted from the program. She taught how to improve your homes once electricity became available and how to beautify your lawns. This in return increased the value of their homes when selling them.
The Extension agents chose 21 farms throughout the county to be “Demonstration Farms.” The farmers were given phosphate to benefit their pastures and farms. The farmer only had to pay for the shipping costs. There are several photos of the farms that participated.
In 1936 when Norris Dam was completed, electricity was becoming available. Families were excited to have new modern conveniences such as indoor plumbing and electricity. The “Kitchen Program” thru the “Better Homes” tour was set up to assist the Extension agents to demonstrate the new “electric kitchens” on wheels.
The tour began in 1935, Extensions agents demonstrated how to use the new Delco lights, running water, electric appliances, brick brooder houses and screened-in porches. Electricity was not available to the Big Valley area of Union County until 15 years later in the 1950’s, according to the Extension records. The City of Maynardville had received electricity 15 years prior.