Publications
4-H History
4-H Volunteer Leaders’ Series
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1900-1980
• Founders
•
4-H Club Work in Arkansas •
The Motto –"To Make the Best Better" •
Clover Emblem and Name •
Club Pledge
1900-1980
From an early unorganized beginning, 4-H clubs have developed into a
worldwide youth movement. The idea of starting 4-H clubs cannot be credited to
one individual or institution. Instead, 4-H has resulted from the ideas and work
of many pioneer leaders. Some 29 different individuals have been called the
founder of the 4-H program. However, three people seem to have played
significant roles in promoting the 4-H movement.
Founders
W. B. Otwell, Macaopin County, Illinois, was an early sponsor of special farm
work for youth. In 1900 he distributed quality seed corn among 500 boys who grew
and exhibited it for prizes. This work was then taken up by Illinois Farmers’
Institutes and the county superintendents of schools.
A. B. Graham introduced modern 4-H club organization and methods in Ohio in
1902. Printed instructions and record sheets were provided so practical farm and
home problems could be studied by both boys and girls. In 1904 a state
federation of rural school agricultural clubs was formed.
In 1905, O. H. Benson, county superintendent of schools in Wright County,
Iowa, worked out a plan of tying farm problems and record keeping in with school
work – another significant step toward modern club work. Boys and girls
interested in farm work formed clubs and held meetings, picnics and fairs.
By 1910, the work of farm boys and girls was winning public interest and
approval. Several states appropriated funds for Extension work, and newspapers
and farm magazines helped spread the news of this new program. The U.S.
Congress, realizing the merits of such a program, made funds available in 1914
for promoting a rural youth program. This act, known as the Smith-Lever Act, was
the foundation of 4-H clubs.
In early years county agents did most of the work supervising the boys and
girls in their programs. Agents soon discovered they could not reach large
numbers of people alone so they began to teach volunteer adult 4-H club leaders.
Interest in the 4-H club work by 1920 had gone beyond farm communities.
Influential business and farm organization leaders added their support. In 1921,
at the suggestion of a member of the United States Department of Agriculture,
the National Committee on Boys and Girls Club Work was formed for the purpose of
obtaining private support for club work. Private support provided trips, awards
and events outside the scope of public funding.
During its first 80 years, 4-H changed from an organization primarily
concerned with improving agriculture production and food preservation to one
dedicated to the development of young people.
Additional history of 4-H is available on the web at http:// www.4H-usa.org.
4-H Club Work in Arkansas
The first 4-H club in Arkansas is reported to have been organized in White
County in 1908. Under the leadership of R. C. Davidson, a farm demonstration
agent, and Miss Lucy Critz, a teacher in the Searcy High School, a boy’s corn
club was organized with 40 members.
W. J. Jernigan became club agent in December of 1912 before the Smith-Lever
Act was passed. He continued as state 4-H club agent until his retirement in
1945.
Arkansas 4-H clubs received their real start with passage of the Smith-Lever
Act which set up the 4-H program as the youth phase of the Agricultural
Extension program.
Corn clubs, cotton clubs and pig clubs were started for boys in the early
days in that order. Canning clubs and garden clubs were among the first clubs
for girls. These early clubs were tied closely with rural schools with the
teacher usually being the leader. Each club carried one project and was a
temporary organization. Completion of the project ended the club’s function for
the year.
Community 4-H clubs have been a good influence on 4-H programs. It has
enabled clubs to include all four of the H’s (Head, Heart, Hands and Health) in
their programs. Also, it marked the beginning of a year-round program in the
community. As a result, clubs began to add recreation, safety, wildlife
conservation, community improvement and other activities to their programs.
The Motto
–"To Make the Best Better"
The national 4-H club motto, "To make the best better," was suggested by Miss
Carrie Harrison of the USDA. A committee of state and national 4-H leaders
accepted this motto in 1912. Although it has been used since that time, it was
1927 before it was adopted nationally at the club leader’s conference in
Washington, D.C.
Clover Emblem and Name
When O. H. Benson of Wright County, lowa, joined the Federal Extension staff
in 1911, he brought with him a sample club badge which had been used in his home
county. It was a three-leaf clover with an "H" on each leaf representing Head,
Heart and Hands. Dr. O. Martin, who was in charge of club work in the southern
states, suggested that another leaf for Health be added. In 1913, at a meeting
of state 4-H leaders, the figure "4" was added to the "H." Today, the 4-H emblem
and name are protected by law and belong to the Congress of the United States.
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18 U.S.C. 707
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Club Pledge
I pledge my head to clearer thinking
my heart to greater loyalty
my hands to larger service and
my health to better living
for my club, my community, my country
and my world.
The 4-H club emblem was found to be more effective expressed as a spoken
pledge. Several states developed pledges of their own about the club emblem.
Finally, in 1927 at the first National 4-H Club Camp in Washington, D.C., state
and national club leaders adopted the National 4-H Pledge which is in use today.
It was also agreed that members should stand at attention and designate head,
heart, hands and health as the pledge is repeated in unison.
Adapted from a Missouri leaflet for use in Arkansas. Updated by Beverly
Hines, former 4-H and youth development specialist, Cooperative Extension
Service, University of Arkansas.
| Author: |
Darlene Baker, Ph.D., State Leader - 4-H Youth
and Development |
DR. DARLENE Z. BAKER, is state leader 4-H
and youth development, Cooperative Extension Service, University of
Arkansas, Little Rock.
4HCC2-PD-10-02RV
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