Extension Spotlight

As we look forward to a new year with excitement for new opportunities, it can be important to look back into the past as well. The past can not only teach us but can inspire us, especially when analyzing the rich history of 4-H. In the late 1800s, agricultural researchers were having a difficult time in building relationships with livestock and crop producers, which created extra challenges in distributing new information and equipment. With plenty of attempts made to connect with older, experienced farmers and ranchers, researchers tried a new approach: connecting with youth.

Once they discovered that youth were open to new ways of thinking, they decided to create youth organizations to spread new information and technology throughout rural communities to advance agriculture. However, the founders of these organizations quickly learned that to be effective in teaching youth, they could not simply tell them about their new ideas and developments, they had to show them through hands-on experiences.

These youth programs grew with popularity across the entire nation. In 1902, A.B. Graham started a youth program in Clark County, Ohio that was focused on agriculture. Different sources report different names for the club, but the most commonly reported ones are “The Tomato Club” or “The Corn Growing Club.” Many years later, Clark County was named the birthplace of 4-H. Also, in 1902 but many miles away, T.A. Erickson started a similar club in Douglas County, Mich. where kids could participate in afterschool activities and local fairs that provided experiences in agriculture.

The establishment of these clubs and programs caught on across the nation and continued to gain membership and support from various of communities. In 1910, the famous clover pin with four Hs was developed by Jessie Field Shambaugh. And, by 1912, the term “4-H Clubs” was officially coined. The Sam-Lever Act of 1914 created a system of cooperative extension services tied to land-grant universities while also nationalizing 4-H. Years later, in 1948, the 4-H logo became federally protected under United States Code. This means that the Secretary of Agriculture is has a special duty of upholding the integrity of the logo and how it is used. To put into perspective how big of an honor this is, other symbols that are protected similarly are the U.S. Presidential Seal, the Olympic Rings and the Red Cross.

The 4-H organization has continued to change and develop in the many years since its development. There are now close to 50 projects that youth can take to learn new skills, many of which are not connected to agriculture directly. 4-H is also the largest youth program in the nation, with more than seven million members from urban, suburban and rural areas. Recent studies also find that it is one of the most successful organizations when looking at positive youth development.

There is no better guide for a more prosperous future than to build upon and learn about the past. 4-H was designed to serve entire communities, with youth being at the core. It was designed to empower and educate youth about their world and to give them the tools and knowledge that they need to make the future better for everyone around them.