The History of 4H

1
The History of 4-H
Module 2 Volunteer Development Making the Best
Better Series
2
A New Beginning 1902-1912

• Began in response for a better agricultural
  education

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The Clover

• Three Hs
• Head
• Heart
• Hands
• 1911 Fourth H was added
• Hustle
• Later changed to Health
• 1907 or 1908 the clover emblem was introduced

4
Green White Club Colors

• White symbolizes purity
• Green is natures most common color
• It is emblematic of
• Youth
• Life
• Growth

5
Growth of the Program

• The program originally grew through the schools
• In 1914, 4-H became part of the Cooperative
  Extension Service
• Volunteers have always been essential to the
  programs success

6
4-H Pledge

• Kansas is credited with originating the National
  Club Pledge.
• The pledge was adopted in June 1927 and my
  world was added in 1973.

7
4-H Motto Slogans

• To Make the Best Better was the 4-H motto.
• Both a club and individual goal.
• Club slogans found through the years include
• Be your own best exhibit
• Learn by doing
• Win without boasting lose without frowning
• Plan your work work your plan

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Events of theFirst Decade

• 1906 First African American Agent appointed
• 1912 Established federal-state-county programs
  tying Extension work
• together
• 1912 73,000 boys and 23,000 girls enrolled

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The Second Decade

• Smith-Lever Act
• Established Cooperative Extension
• Provided World War I support
• Food production
• Conservation
• WWI stimulated membership
• 1917 169,000
• 1918 Half million
• 1918 National Creed Adopted

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More of theSecond Decade

• 1920 Established system of volunteer leadership
• West VA formalized camping influenced others
  nationally
• 1922 First National Club Congress, Chicago
• 1922 USDA offers club charters
• 1922 Montgomery ward first national sponsor

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The Third Decade

• National 4-H Pledge and Motto Adopted
• 4-H Name and emblem patented
• First National 4-H Club Camp in Washington D.C.
• 4-H crosses the ocean

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More to the Third Decade

• 1924- National Supply Service Began
• Bureau of Indian Affairs created its own
  Extension service

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The Fifth Decade

• Chevy Chase Junior College purchased
• Present Day National 4-H Center
• International 4-H Youth Exchange (IFYE) began
• 1952 The Commemorative stamp was issued and The
• 4-H Story published

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The Sixth Decade

• 1960- First national volunteer leader forum
• 1962- Age requirements changed from 10-21 to 9-19
• 4-H television Series
• 4-H TV Electrical Series
• First citizenship short course takes place at
  National 4-H Center

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The Seventh Decade

• 4-H work in urban areas begin
• Encouraged the participation of minorities
• National 4-H Center expansion begins

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The Eighth Decade

• and my world added to 4-H Pledge
• Program exceeded 7 million youth
• Participated in the Nations observance of the
  Bicentennial
• 1980- 50th anniversary of National 4-H Conference
• Awarded over 265,000 in educational scholarships

1976 Bi-Centennial Relay 4-H'ers riding the
final lap of the 500-mile relay from
Massachusetts to Washington, D.C. to "Wake Up
America.
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The Ninth Decade

• National Report Form was redesigned
• W.K. Kellogg Foundation gives 1.6 million for
  volunteer leader development
• Strategic plan released

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4-H in 2000 Beyond

• National Public Service Advertising Campaign
• Are You Into It?
• National 4-H Youth Directions Council established
• National Conversation on Youth Development in the
  21st Century

Power of YOUth Pledge Campaign
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References

• Celebrating 100 Years of Helping Hoosiers Grow,
  Indiana 4-H/Youth Programs 2002. Purdue
  Cooperative Extension Service. West Lafayette,
  IN, 47907
• Duncan, Clyde H. 1970. 50 Years of 4-H in
  Missouri. Extension Division of University of
  Missouri, Columbia, Mo 65211