4-H Youth Development History

The 4-H program was founded in 1902 and celebrated its centennial in 2002. It initially started as corn clubs for boys and canning tomato clubs for girls. While maintaining its strong agricultural tradition, 4-H has diversified into a wide range of subjects like computers, science, public speaking and many others.

Noteworthy Dates in Wisconsin 4-H History

1904 - Professor Ransom A. Moore of the University of Wisconsin College of Agriculture Agronomy Department distributed improved seed corn varieties to boys and girls in Richland County willing to plant corn. To show off the results, Professor Moore then sponsored the first countywide Roundup Corn Show for boys and girls at the Richland County Fair in September.

1909 - Professor Moore offered scholarships to attend a one-week course during Farmers' Course at the University of Wisconsin College of Agriculture to top participants in the corn growing contests. Twenty-five boys attended, and in 1910 forty-four girls were added.

1910 - Fully $16,000 in prizes was offered for Corn Growing Contests at 45 fairs. By 1911, St. Croix County had the largest enrollment in county junior contests with 1,400 entries.

1912 - The first three Wisconsin county agricultural representatives began work: E.L. Luther, Oneida County; G.R. Ingalls, Eau Claire County; and F.D. Otis, Barron County.

1914 - Passage of the Smith-Lever Act by Congress on May 8, made possible the Cooperative Extension Service funded by federal, state and local county governments. Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and home economics, including boys and girls club work, became the delivery system for taking the research of the land grant colleges (in Wisconsin, the University of Wisconsin College of Agriculture) and agricultural experiment stations to farm families.

Thirty different agricultural and academic contests were held in rural schools in 52 counties.

On July 1, Thomas L. Bewick was appointed in the University of Wisconsin College of Agriculture Agronomy Department to assist Professor Moore in his work with ten thousand or more rural young people throughout the state. On October 1, Mr. Bewick was appointed Wisconsin's first State Leader of Boys' and Girls" (4-H) Club Work with the new Cooperative Extension Service.

The first boys and girls (4-H) club to organize in Wisconsin under the new Cooperative Extension Service (Smith-Lever Act) was formed by Mr. Bewick and local adult volunteer, Mrs. May Hatch of Zenda in Linn Township, Walworth County. Four boys and three girls attended the first club meeting October 30. By year's end, the club, known as the Linn Junior Farmers, had 21 members.

1915 - The first State Fair exhibit of boys and girls club work was arranged at West Allis. Potato, dairy calf and pig projects were featured.

1916 - Wisconsin State (4-H) Club Leader, T.L. Bewick and other state boys and girls club leaders identified green and white as the national club work colors; the four-leaf clover as the club work emblem; and "Not Our Bit, But Our Best" as the club work motto. The first definite and recognized Junior State Fair department was set up in a tent camp.

1917 - The four-leaf clover with an H on each leaflet placed parallel to the mid rib of the leaflet and representing Head, Heart, Hands, Health was formally adopted as the club work pin at a national conference of State Club Leaders. Elizabeth Amery, Polk County, became assistant state (4-H) club leader. She was the first home economics leader on the state (4-H) club staff. Boys and girls club members participated in the first annual junior livestock exposition sponsored by the Wisconsin Live Stock Breeders Association.

1918 - First State Club Week (State 4-H Congress) was held at the University of Wisconsin College of Agriculture in Madison. First county agent to work with boys and girls club programs was W.R. Dunwiddie, Dane County.

1919 - Wisconsin boys and girls clubs participated in the U.S. Garden Army to boost the production of food for defense during World War I.

1920 - The State Club Staff issued the original Wisconsin volunteer 4-H leaders handbook.

The word "achievement" came into 4-H club vocabulary. Wisconsin was one of the first states to encourage achievement with award pins. A Badger 4-H enrollment pin was designed for new members and a second pin went to those who finished the project and submitted a record book.

Early 20's The term "4-H" became the accepted title for club work. "4-H club" and "4-H club work" replaced previous titles such as boys and girls clubs and canning and corn clubs.

The national 4-H Club motto was changed from "Not Our Bit, But Our Best" to "Make the Best Better."

1921 - First Extension agent employed and paid by the county to work with boys and girls club programs was Wakelin McNeel in Marathon County. Businessmen and leaders of agricultural organizations established the National 4-H Service Committee as a non-government organization to help further the 4 H movement through private support.

1922 - Wisconsin sent delegates to the first annual National 4-H Club Congress in Chicago.

1924 - Wisconsin's first 4-H home economics judging team went to National 4 H Club Congress. Geneva Amundson of Trempealeau County took top honors in the first National 4-H Dress Revue at National Club Congress with a red woolen dress she made herself. Ms. Amundson later was an Assistant State 4-H Club Leader.

1925 - First county 4-H camps in Wisconsin were established in Shawano and Rusk Counties, and in Langlade and Marinette Counties a year later. Staging of the first state 4-H Girls Dress Revue at State Fair.

1926 - County leader organizations began forming, adopted unified programs and began holding county leadership training meetings.

1927 - First full-time county club agents appointed by Cooperative Extension with federal funding to do primarily youth work included: C.J. McAleavy, Marathon; Bruce Cartter, Marinette; and Ben Hauser, Milwaukee. Wisconsin sent delegates to first National 4-H Club Camp (National 4-H Conference) in Washington, D.C. The 4-H pledge and the motto "To Make the Best Better" were formally adopted at a national conference of State 4-H club leaders.

1928 - First three school forests dedicated in Forest County.

1929 - First statewide drama contest was held during State 4-H Club Week. Nine play casts participated and the top ranking 4-H Boosters 4-H Club of Marinette County went on to repeat their performance at the National 4-H Club Congress in Chicago.

1930 - Club work was included in every county agent's program for the first time. Professor Ransom A. Moore was made an honorary member of Wisconsin 4-H during a ceremony dedicating the 4-H Club Knoll set aside by the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents near Agricultural Hall on the University of Wisconsin Madison Campus.

1931 - Hollyhock seeds from Dr. Babcock's home garden were given to 4-H members at a summer camp ceremony. First rural music festival was held in five counties with 5,000 taking part.

1932 - Although in the midst of the Depression 4-H clubs continued to improve in quality, volunteer junior leaders went from 630 in 1929 to 1,280 in 1932. Adult leaders climbed from 1,000 to 2,386 during that same period. More than 4,000 members attended sixteen 4-H camps.

1933 - The fist countywide Young Men's and Women's group in Wisconsin, the Rock County 4-H Club, was formed to provide educational, social and service opportunities to young people who had graduated from 4-H club work. The fifth"H" stood for home. First 4-H playground baseball tournament finals held at State Fair. State club staff member, Wakelin McNeel, initiated "Afield with Ranger Mac," a weekly feature for schools on radio station WHA.

1937 - April 25 - May 2 designated by 4-H departments across the nation as Better Homes Week and Go to Church Sunday (later became Rural Life Sunday).

1938 - The first Wisconsin leaders' recreational laboratory was held in Waukesha County to train leaders in various forms of social recreation for local and county 4-H programs.

1939 - The 25th anniversary of organized club work in Wisconsin was celebrated with recognition of 75 local leaders for 10 to 21 years of volunteer leadership.

1940 - County 4-H leader training schools lengthened the tenure of volunteer leaders. Records indicate 70 counties held a total of 585 leader training sessions reaching 16,580 leaders.

Early 40's World War II was of great concern to everyone. Although there were many competing movements, many 4 H youth enrolled in raising, storing and preserving food and in home service projects. Wartime service and Victory projects were adopted widely. Members collected 5,616,000 pounds of scrap metal, and 559,000 pounds of paper and rags for salvage uses. Over 1,000 boys of 1941 membership joined the armed forces. Many others went into war munitions plants. In 1943, Governor Walter B. Goodland proclaimed 4-H mobilization week. Over 8,000 girls of 4-H clubs worked in the fields. Two thousand members checked fire and accident hazards and removed many of them.

1941 - Elizabeth Upham Davis and Caroline Upham Keene chose to memorialize their parents, Horace and Mary Upham, by giving 310 acres of land near Wisconsin Dells to the University of Wisconsin to be used as a nature laboratory and youth camp. Wakelin McNeel (Ranger Mac), Assistant State 4-H Club Leader, was instrumental in procuring the land, to be known as Upham Woods, for use by 4 H clubs and other people cooperating with the University.

1944 - The first donation was received toward development of Upham Woods, the 4-H camp at Wisconsin Dells. National 4-H Mobilization Week was observed annually in 1942, 1943, and 1944 as part of the war effort. In 1945, and each year since, it has been observed as National 4-H Week (first full week in October). Mid 40's Countywide 4-H junior leader councils and combination junior leader/older 4-H member groups were developed for members 15-20 years old. One of the first county older youth groups was formed in Brown County in 1945.

1946 - "World Citizenship begins in the Club, the Home, and the Community" was the theme of 4-H meetings and camps after World War II.

1947 - Thirty counties had club agents, plus 59 home agents helped teach 4-H members. The first of a series of 4-H health training camps was held in Green Lake. Farm safety activities were popular -- 14,000 members took part in farm hazard inspections, speaking contests, leader training, and trip awards.

1948 - During 4-H Achievement Day at State Fair, 4-H girls modeled costumes from earlier times in observance of the Wisconsin State Centennial. Wisconsin Association of Extension 4-H Agents was organized.

1949 - Rural Life Sunday was observed by at least 60 counties and 945 4-H clubs. Late 40's New 4-H projects enriched the original production themes. 4-H Projects included health, music, recreation, drama, citizenship, stewardship toward natural resources, improvements in the home, and learning to work and play together.

1950 - Cloverleaf pins and certificates were awarded to Wisconsin pioneer club leaders according to years of service.

1951 - Wisconsin initiated its participation in both the outbound and inbound phases of the International Farm Youth Exchange (IFYE) Program. Eldora Keske of Milwaukee County 4-H, Lois Linse of Buffalo County 4 H, and Burton Olson of Vernon County 4-H were Wisconsin's first IFYE Representatives to travel abroad.

1952 - Wisconsin 4-H Adult Leaders Council was organized to develop, strengthen, and correlate work between counties and the State 4-H club department.

1953 - Wisconsin 4-H Club Foundation was approved by University of Wisconsin Board of Regents and incorporated in 1954 to help finance club work in special areas and to supplement state appropriations and other funds. Mid 50's Local adult and youth volunteer leaders became more involved in influencing
the direction and implementation of 4-H in Wisconsin. Volunteer leaders became involved in designing county and state programs and in implementing specific events and activities. State 4-H Band and Choir groups performed at statewide functions.

1955 - Fifty-nine counties participated in the first annual presentation of the Wisconsin 4-H Key Awards.

1956 - A group of Wisconsin 4-H leaders and county agents meeting in Sheboygan in April recommended that club work be made available to every boy and girl in the state; that urban clubs be planned as project clubs; that all club work in a county be one unified program; that advisory committees by chosen for urban areas; that suitable projects for urban areas be explored and developed; and that club bulletins refer to 4 H as a program for all youth, urban and suburban, village and farm.

1957 - The University of Wisconsin College of Agriculture was the midpoint assembly for 176 International Farm Youth Exchanges (IFYE) from 40 counties before they went to their next host families.

1958 - Wisconsin followed the national 4-H recommendation and changed graduation from 4-H from 21 years of age to 19 years of age.

1959 - The National 4-H Club Center in Washington, D.C., was dedicated. Wisconsin 4-H raised funds in memory of Thomas L. Bewick, Wakelin McNeel, and J.A. Craig to furnish a conference room (the Wisconsin Room) at the Center. Late 50's Wisconsin lowered the beginning age for joining 4-H from 10 to 9 years of age. The subject matter of 4-H had not changed a great deal from earlier years; however, the program began placing greater emphasis on value clarification and decision-making. "Provide an opportunity for personal growth" was a key phrase of the time.

1961 - The first annual District 4-H Dairy Days program was held at three locations in the state.

1962 - Wisconsin observed the 50th anniversary of 4-H club work. At the time, some 50,000 club members and 60 county 4-H club agents worked actively alongside 12,000 volunteer leaders.

1963 - The first 4-H agent training workshop on urban 4-H programming was held.

Mid 60's The terms "work" and "club" were dropped from descriptions of 4-H and titles of professional staff. "4-H youth programs" or "4-H programs" became the preferred phrases.

Wisconsin discontinued the uniform record book requirement and dropped specific requirements for achievement in each project and activity. This approach was replaced by a Member Planning Evaluation (MPE) approach that called for members, parents and leaders working together to assess the member's situation, determine appropriate goals, make plans for reaching goals and later evaluating results of member efforts.

Attention was given to opening 4-H to all sectors of society with special focus on youth from urban areas, minority youth, low-income youth, and youth with developmental disabilities.

As 4-H began reaching out to non-farm and special audiences, the number and variety of 4-H project offerings grew. Dog, exploring 4-H, knitting and small engines were among the projects added at the State level.

1966 - The use of television in transmitting 4-H programs also served as a means for introducing 4-H in the schools. Early programs included: 4-H T.V. Action Club (emergency preparedness), 4-H T.V. Science Club, and 4-H T.V. Photo Fun Club. The first annual Wisconsin State 4-H Horse Show (now WI State 4-H Horse Expo) was held in Madison.

1967 - The 4-H program officially became known as the State 4-H Youth Development Program.

1969 - Wisconsin 4-H initiated its involvement in the federally funded Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program as another way of reaching previously unreached groups.

1970 - A state historical marker commemorating the first organized boys and girls (4 H) club in Wisconsin after passage of the federal Smith-Lever Act of 1914 was dedicated. The historical marker is located in Linn Township, Walworth County.

Early 70's Options for participating in 4-H expanded significantly during the 1970's. In addition to the traditional full year 4-H club, special interest, short term, and mini 4-H (for those under 4-H age), groups came into being.

The idea of life skills was introduced in 4-H programming. The life skills of learning how to learn, relating to others, relating to change, using science and technology, mental and physical health, communicating, decision making, and managing resources, placed emphasis on the 4-H member and his/her development. Greater emphasis was placed on the individual rather than the product or achievement.

A major change in responsibility for 4-H programs and curriculum material development was initiated with the statewide developmental committees. Developmental committees were established to cover all aspects of the 4-H program. Committees included: animal sciences, communication arts, cultural arts, curriculum and clientele, health sciences, home and family, mechanical sciences, leadership development, natural sciences, plant and soil sciences, political and social sciences, and professional improvement.

Face-to-face judging was introduced at county fairs as a way of improving the educational value of evaluating project exhibits.

As 4-H continued to reach new audiences, the number and variety of 4 H projects also continued to expand with such projects as aerospace, snowmobile, veterinary science, bicycle safety and crocheting. In the latter part of the 1970's such projects as caged birds, cavies, tropical fish and horseless horse were also added at the state level.

Cultural arts projects and activities had much influence on the increasing enrollment of 4-H youth. The number of youth in art and crafts projects grew from 11,365 in 1972 to nearly 21,000 in 1979.

Wisconsin 4-H Adult Leader Council spearheaded a campaign to raise $70,000 in support of a major building program at the National 4-H Center in Washington, D.C. With all county 4-H programs participating, Wisconsin 4-H met its goal and paid its pledge in 1973.

Females were increasingly being hired as 4-H Youth Agents.

1971 - The first State 4-H Reach Out Group performed at State 4-H Congress. The group used music and drama to explore teen issues and concerns. A statewide 4-H promotion campaign was launched with "Clover Power" as its theme. First time Wisconsin 4-H had teens participating in the International 4-H Youth Exchange to reflect the shift in 4-H population from strictly rural to rural, rural non-farm, and urban youth.

1973 - ".. And My World." was added to the close of the national 4-H pledge originally adopted in 1927.

In the "4-H in Century Three" document, State 4-H Leaders endorse the concept of "life skills" and defined them as "the acquisition of characteristics, traits, skills, values, attitudes and abilities deemed desirable by parents and community. Addressing life skills was a major change from providing references to fact and information about a specific topic.

New federal urban funds added second 4-H youth agent and staff assistant positions in more populated counties, resulting in youth program expansion. A variety of new program models (day camps, special-interest clubs and short-term project clubs) helped 4-H reach more urban youth, at-risk youth, and youth of color.

1974 - Wisconsin joined with other states nationwide in rejecting a national committee recommendation to discontinue the 4-H motto, "To Make the Best Better."

Mid 70's Home and Family projects focused more attention on consumers education and less on technical skills.

In response to national concerns for energy conservation, Wisconsin 4-H developed a Home Energy Education Program to help 4-H families learn more about energy use and conservation.

Extension youth staff members were placed at the Milwaukee Zoo and Wehr Nature Center to expand outreach program models.

The national Civil Rights laws brought about the formation of 4-H Expansion and Review committees to examine current youth demographics and 4-H participation trends and make recommendations for future programming. Based on this information, staff developed active plans to expand 4-H programs to underserved audiences. Staff became conscious of how to plan and conduct programs in non-discriminatory ways.

There was strong emphasis on developing county level volunteer committees to set program direction, and plan and run county events. Some counties started project area key leader systems.

1976 - History and Heritage 4-H Projects were very popular with Wisconsin 4-H members and clubs as they joined in the celebrating of America's Bicentennial. The "Family in 4-H" slide/tape program and the home helper concept in working with 4-H members were introduced to reinforce the role of family in 4-H.

1980 - The first statewide volunteer leader training workshop for Horse project leaders was held at Upham Woods. Other projects initiating statewide leader training workshops during the early 1980's included: dairy, dog, clothing, nutrition and photography.

At the 1980 4-H Staff Development Workshop, a building block approach to developing curriculum materials was identified. At this time, 4-H curriculum was described as the impact 4-H has on youth within a specific content area and includes everything participants experience in that 4-H project.

Early 80's The "whole child" was they key phrase in the statement on 4-H youth development in Wisconsin. Rich variety in learning experiences offered 4-H members opportunities to participate in programs that related to the historical four "H's". Head - thinking and learning, solving problems, making decisions, and setting goals; Heart - caring, determining values, respecting and supporting one another; Hands - using new skills to create, build, design, or shape; Health - forming attitudes, habits and life styles that enhance physical and mental well-being.

"Taking Care: A Way of Life" represented a revised approach to 4-H health projects and activities. The literature encouraged family involvement in decision-making activities that focused on life styles.

1981 - Adventures in Dairyland was introduced as a project for youth interested in dairying but without owning an animal.

1983 - For the first time in its history, Wisconsin 4-H reached over 100,000 young people: 53,859 in 4-H clubs; 46,772 in short-term special interest programs; and 13,244 in other programs. Mid 80's There was an increase in staff attention to community youth development resulting in more cooperative work with other youth serving agencies.

1985 - Emphasis on the total family in 4-H was strengthened with the introduction of the Family Times program. The first annual State 4-H/NJHA Horticulture Day was held at UW-Experimental Farms, Arlington.

1986 - Wisconsin 4-H was awarded a major grant through the National 4-H Council and
the W.K. Kellogg Foundations to strengthen volunteerism in the State's 4-H program. The "Volunteer Force," a group of 22 4-H Volunteer leaders from throughout the state, were involved in training other volunteers to accept responsibility for 4-H program management roles.

1987 - 1991 The National 4-H Curriculum Task Force produced a national 4-H curriculum development plan in 1989, which was shelved until it was integrated into the National Strategic plan in 1992.

1989 - The Extension Service celebrates the 75th Anniversary of the Smith-Level Act. The 4-H program hosted an anniversary conference at the Concourse Hotel in Madison, April 29-30.

UW-Extension Family Living Specialists developed the Teen Assessment Project surveys. 4-H Youth Development and Family Living staff members teamed with specialists to tailor the survey to the interests and needs of a local community. The survey response helped the community understand how they could support positive youth development and discourage problem behaviors.

The Youth Futures program was initiated in Wisconsin communities to bring together coalitions of educators, parents, community leaders and youth to develop comprehensive actions plans to address youth issues.
1990's Youth empowerment became a part of on-going work, resulting in greater youth participation in county and state level decision-making groups. Collaboration with other groups such as school systems, non-profits, United Way and human service departments and agencies greatly increased.

School-aged child care programs increased. New programs were developed based on needs identified through child care surveys. 4-H Youth Development staff developed and adapted 4-H curriculum for child care staff to use with 6-12 year olds in after-school programs, day care centers and family day care homes.

1992 - Some 500 4-Her's, volunteers and staff developed the first national Strategic Plan for 4-H. It radically changed the mission and vision of 4-H to, "4-H Youth Development Education creates supportive environments for culturally diverse youth and adults to reach their fullest potential". It stipulated that 4-H will provide both formal and nonformal community focused experiential learning, and that will develop skills that benefit youth throughout life.

This Strategic Plan called for an ongoing Experiential Learning Design Team that involved 4-H staff across the nation in creating a set of fourteen National 4-H Criteria along with a juried review process. In 1994, juried review began using eight concurrent juries of Extension staff reviewing curriculum products from around the nation.

Congress appropriated $10 million for a new Extension "Youth at Risk" initiative. Nearly a hundred local sites were funded to try new program efforts to reach youth who faced multiple risk factors.

1993 - At a National 4-H Curriculum Conference, a plan was introduced for integrating the experiential learning cycle into the 4-H Curriculum Handbook.

1994 - A very successful North Central Animal Science curriculum development effort evolved into that is now the 4-H Cooperative Curriculum System (4HCCS). By 2001, this cooperative system has produced over 150 curriculum products and includes 39 member states. Staff from Wisconsin were involved in the creation of both the National 4-H Curriculum Criteria as well as served in leadership positions with 4HCCS.

The "Youth at Risk" and "Children and Families at Risk" initiatives merged. The same year, "State Strengthening grants from the CYFAR funds began providing intensive staff development efforts across the nation.

Mid 90's Volunteer risk management grew as a concern resulting in a mandatory youth protection system involving volunteer background checks, training, and signing of a behavior agreement.

There was greater emphasis on community youth programming. Staff position descriptions were revised to reflect this expanded program direction.

The number of home-schooled youth in 4-H increased in many counties.

Late 90's State level support for community youth programming increased through grants and hiring of additional youth development specialists.

There was a renewed focus on civic contributions of 4-H groups via Public Adventures, community service grants, and evaluation of efforts.

2000's - A national strategic plan, identified goals in five major areas for the vision of what the 4-H youth development program will be like in the future: Power of Youth; Access, Equity and Opportunity; An Extraordinary Place to Learn; Exceptional People, Innovative Practices; Effective Organizational Systems.

Extension youth development establishes new teams that emphasize building capable youth and community youth service.

4-H Technology projects are developing along with web pages and programs that help the youth work in our global high tech world.

Extension sets up new partnerships with the University system to provide additional resources for the clubs and the local communities.

National 4-H provides a new look and direction to many of the 4-H projects: Environmental Stewardship Skills for Life - Animal Science Series, Workforce Skills Series, Theater Arts Series, along with additional communication and leadership development projects.

Mini-society and other entrepreneurial programs are established, helping youth understand the world from a financial standpoint.

State 4-H Adult Council organizational structure evolves to include one delegate/county or nation who attends an annual statewide meeting. At the annual meeting, an executive board is selected which meets throughout the year. The purpose of the State 4-H Adult Leader Council is to enhance 4-H Youth programming at local, county and state levels.

State 4-H Youth Leader Council evolves their structure to annually elect two youth/district for a two-year term at the State 4-H Youth Conference.

Partnerships were increasingly being developed with the local schools, neighborhood centers and community organizations to provide 4-H in an after-school settings. "Century 21" funding encouraged schools to partner with community organizations to provide additional after-school opportunities for youth in lower income neighborhoods.

Some 4-H Youth Development staff members are involved in establishing Teen Court in their county.

2001 - The national centennial of the beginning of the 4-H movement was celebrated in Wisconsin by conducting youth development "conversations" in all Wisconsin counties to identify priority youth issues for the future. Power of Youth pledges for community service were also collected statewide and recorded in a national database.

2002 - Wisconsin and national youth development "conversations" were held. The centennial celebration culminated with a report to the President.

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