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4-H History Preservation Newsletter
April 2016

It’s April Already!

For some that means sunny spring is well underway; for others it’s time for one last snow storm; for still others, it’s the proverbial month of showers which bring May flowers. Whichever it is for you climatologically, it’s another busy 4-H month; another month when 4-H history is being made and celebrated.


First Woman’s World’s Fair

In 1925, 4-H girls exhibited ideal (for the time) standards of home decoration at this first of four-only women’s world-wide expositions, intended to showcase skills and empower women. 4-H girls did both.


April 22 is Earth Day

What better way to celebrate Earth Day 2016 than to start a garden, either productive, beautiful, or both. That’s this month’s “Hands-on-History” activity.


Jmaes Cagney loved 4-H

That’s just one of the new stories highlighted from the 4-H Promotion and Visibility Compendium on the 4-H History Website.


April 20, 1970…

…was an important and long-awaited day for 4-H. Mr. J. C. Penney, Tricia Nixon, Art Linkletter and National Conference delegates helped mark the meaningful occasion. Any guesses?>


04192016_history_Nixon[1]

Tricia Nixon and Art Linkletter share podium.


04192016_history_JCPenney[1]

Secretary of Agriculture, Clifford Harding, J.C. Penney and Janice Glover, 4-H’er from NY share groundbreaking duty.



Who Made 4-H Great?

This month we learn about a man who had a big impact on many basics of the local 4-H Club program. And his records have helped many historians along the way.


4-H Novels

The impact, challenges, successes, and fun of 4-H are recorded throughout literature, whether academic or recreational. Here’s a list of novels written about 4-H – just the titles we’ve been able to uncover.


Whether the weather…

…is warming you in sunshine, dousing you in rain, or freezing you in snow, stay focused on the coming May flowers – and the next issue of the National 4-H History Newsletter. Whether with sunglasses, umbrellas or ear muffs, enjoy this issue.


100 Likes!

Likes_100

The 4-H History Preservation Program page on Facebook has just received it’s 100th Like!

Thanks to all of you out there that like our page and are interested in 4-H history preservation.

Don’t know what we’re talking about? Check us out at https://www.facebook.com/4H.History/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

By the way, our 100th like is from the Chickasaw County Extension.

Now, how fast can we get to 1,000 likes?


 

Please help us preserve 4-H History . . .



4-H History Preservation Newsletter
February 2016

February is Black History Month and the 15th is Presidents’ Day
Before 4-H was racially integrated, Extension Youth Development programs for African American youth emanated from the 1890 universities, which celebrated their 125  anniversary last year. North Carolina started 4-H for African American youth in 1914; West Virginia started camps for black youth in the 1920s and had the country’s first state camp for African American 4-H’ers.

In recognition of Presidents’ Day we acknowledge the US Presidents who served as honorary chairmen of 4-H, and quote many who “liked” the program over the years.


Calendar Art Hands-on History

The collection of these historic art pieces continues to grow! Antique mall hunters and internet shoppers have added three pieces to the collection already this year. There are many more to find and you can help.


Hands-on History

From a 1920 article about farm mechanics and a 1945 article on Live Power to today’s robotics programs, mechanical engineering has been an important part of 4-H. Some ideas to bring that history into your current club work.



Virginia African American Corn Club members (early 4-H clubs) learn how to judge corn, 1923.

Virginia African American Corn Club members (early 4-H clubs) learn how to judge corn, 1923.


President Franklin D Roosevelt with 1940 National 4-H Delegates on the mall. (Photo courtesy of USDA.)

President Franklin D Roosevelt with 1940 National 4-H Delegates on the mall. (Photo courtesy of USDA.)



February in 4-H History

A 4-H TV series produced with NASA was premiered, Franklin Roosevelt expressed thanks to 4-H’ers for helping achieve wartime goals, the first club meeting of farm boys, later 4-H’ers, was held in Illinois, and a 4-H movie on health was premiered. Different years, of course, but an important month.


C. B. Smith

Seventh in the series of “Folks who Helped Make 4-H Great.” Smith helped create the 4-H Subcommittee of the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy, helped implement the Smith-Lever act nationwide, and established the first National 4-H Camp on the Washington, DC, Mall.



Besides Black History Month and Presidents’ Day, February also has Valentine’s Day.
And who doesn’t love 4-H? Sit down with your box of Valentine chocolates and ponder the New Year’s Resolution you made last month: to read this Newsletter each month and forward it to at least one other person. And while you’re munching on the chocolates, enjoy this issue!


 

Please help us preserve 4-H History . . .



4-H History Preservation Newsletter
January 2016

Happy New Year!

January is traditionally the time to make New Year’s resolutions. If you don’t want to commit to a year-long struggle to lose weight, or the life-style change required to adopt a pet, or have time to volunteer in a 2016 political campaign, here’s a resolution you can easily make: “To read the 4-H History Newsletter diligently each month and share it with at least one other person.”


Feeding the Hungry: 4-H’ers started this tradition to support American soldiers in WWI. The need still exists in this country for households that are “food-insecure,” and 4-H continues to contribute time, vegetables, energy and fruit. Here’s this month’s
“Hands-on History” project.

TV Star: What well-known blonde starred in a 1969 episode of a beloved TV show which featured the 4-H dog care program?

George W. Bush: The President received the “Partner in 4-H Award” in 2002 when he recognized 4-H on a milestone event; do you know what that event was?

Chevy Chase Junior College made news as one of two big properties sold in the Washington D.C. area 65 years ago this week! It was purchased by the National 4-H Foundation (predecessor of National 4-H Council) to become the National Home of 4-H. How much do you think it cost?

Chevy Chase Junior College made news as one of two big properties sold in the Washington D.C. area 65 years ago this week! It was purchased by the National 4-H Foundation (predecessor of National 4-H Council) to become the National Home of 4-H. How much do you think it cost?

4-H Posters: The National 4-H Poster program ran from 1924 through the early 1980s, with a slight interruption. If you’re a fan of estate sales, eBay, or second-hand stores, here’s your chance to help complete the collection of 4-H posters: help us find the copy that is missing.

Guy Noble: He’s featured in this month’s chapter of “Folks who Helped Make 4-H Great.” Can you identify his most significant contribution to the history and development of 4-H?

Is Your State on the 4-H Map: If your county or state is not already listed on the National 4-H History Map, you need to make sure it happens soon! This web-based 4-H atlas will document your local sites of historical importance only if you lead the way!


February is traditionally the time when New Year’s resolutions are tossed in the recycle bin! Next month, we’ll check back with you to make sure you’re still committed to your resolution to read this year’s History Newsletter every month.

In the meantime, enjoy this issue.


 

Please help us preserve 4-H History . . .



4-H History Preservation Newsletter
December 2015

Head, Heart, Hands, Health and Holidays! Between November 1 and January 15, there are about 29 holidays observed by seven of the world’s major religions. 4-H’ers don’t take a holiday, as many of them are busy bringing holiday happiness to their communities in myriad ways. What an eventful season!


President Truman and 4-H

It became an annual event, the presentation of a report on 4-H’s annual accomplishments to the President. In 1950, 4-H Reporters traveled to the White House courtesy of Chicago’ Stevens Hotel, later re-named the Conrad Hilton and scene of the annual National 4-H Congress for years.


Fifth in the series

A. G. Kettunen is featured as one of the pioneers selected in 1962 who “helped make 4-H great.” He was state 4-H leader in Michigan, a strong supporter of IFYE, a 4-H camping enthusiast and First Chairman of the National 4-H Club Foundation.


December dates in 4-H history

December 5, 1924, was the first National 4-H “Style Show” at 4-H Congress. On December 26, 1936, 4-H reached a significant milestone. Any guesses?


1935 Parade of National 4-H Congress Delegates at the National Livestock Exposition. This was its eleventh year.

1935 Parade of National 4-H Congress Delegates at the National Livestock Exposition. This was its eleventh year.


Maryland 4-H maps its history

The National 4-H History Map expands with significant historical sites across the country. Though still missing sites from a few states, the Map will soon include many sites from Maryland, as nominated by leaders and junior leaders as a result their annual meeting.


4-H’er wins international show

A 12 year old Iowa 4-H’er exhibited the grand champion steer at the 1928 International Livestock Exposition, the largest livestock show in the world. The champion steer, named Dick, sold for a record price and was purchased by someone who would become one of 4-H’s most generous donors.


Record memories in the holidays

“Voices of 4-H History” and the annual 4-H FilmFest offer splendid opportunities to record and exhibit treasured memories of 4-H in your family and community. There’s no better time to capture those memories



Whichever of the 29 holidays you observe during this joyous time of the year, enjoy it; and

enjoy this issue.

4-H History Preservation Newsletter
November 2015

November is Thanksgiving, Veterans’ Day, voting, and Christmas/Holiday Prep.

We’re all thankful for 4-H and we remember with honor the veterans who helped guarantee our many freedoms, including the freedom to vote (did you?). Christmas/Holiday Prep, well, let’s push that into next month!

Each year, this month, Veteran’s Day has special meaning. We feature individuals and groups with a 4-H identity. Of course, many more 4-H alumni deserve to be honored and remembered for their service to the US; these are but a few.

A school superintendent from Ohio instilled scientific curiosity in his students and formed “experiment clubs” to keep them involved. 4-H Clubs evolved, using educational materials this pioneer encouraged from his USDA colleagues. One of our continuing series featuring people who helped make 4-H great.

By all accounts and on all levels, 2015 NAE4-HA in Portland was a great success. 4-H History Preservation team encouraged nominations to the National 4-H History Map, and collected countless sites which will be vetted for inclusion.

There’s a lively controversy about when “urban 4-H” actually started. But what year did the National 4-H Foundation announce a study, funded by the Ford Foundation, to document that expansion of 4-H?

Take a break in your Thanksgiving preparations, give fleeting thought to your Christmas or Holiday preparations, and enjoy this issue.

National 4-H Calendars

Novemver 2, 1936 one calendar company was issued permission by USDA to produce 4-H Calendars. The first and the latest calendar art that National 4-H Council owns for which we have found documentation are pictured here. One appeared on a 1951 National 4-H calendar and the other appeared on a 1975 National 4-H calendar.


1951 4-H Calendar Art

1951 4-H Calendar Art


1975 4-H Calendar Art

1975 4-H Calendar Art



 

Please help us preserve 4-H History . . .



4-H History Preservation Newsletter
October 2015

‘Tis the season for pumpkins, goblins, corn mazes and (apparently) pumpkin-spiced lattes. Whether your 4-H Club is in a rural area or in town or city, these long-honored traditions can be a part of your October. Even corn mazes are near many towns.


Speaking of corn well before mazes became popular, the Otwell corn-growing competition garnered great publicity in Illinois in 1905. But the parade! What a spectacle!


The Health H was the last to be added to the four-leaf clover symbol. But you can build many educational activities around that important part of 4-H education. Do you have more ideas of how to celebrate the Health H in your programs?




Surely you’ve heard of “Mulligan Stew,” and maybe you participated in it. Can you recall what year it premiered as a 4-H educational series?


Who is Chris Clover? Rumor has it that he or she is a long-honored spokesperson for 4-H around the country. Tell us whether he or she has shown up in your county yet.




We again feature one of the several people who “made 4-H great;” this one is credited with starting a hot lunch program in schools, pretty significant in 1907!


We’re pushing the “Map Your 4-H History” this year at NAE4-HA. Think of historic sites in your area that you want to be documented on the internet-based, publicly-accessible atlas of 4-H History. Easy to do, and your site will be recorded forever.



Haven’t got your Halloween costume ready yet? How about going as Chris Clover! If not, stay home and take pictures of the Trick-R-Treaters while you sip your pumpkin-spiced latte and enjoy this issue.



4-H_Week_1942


4-H_Week_2015


A local store window display for National 4-H week in 1942 resembled one we saw on Twitter this year in that both referred to the growing of 4-H. The 1942 version was “4-H, Strong and Growing” whereas 2015 is more individually oriented with “4-H Grows Teamwork, Curiosity, Resilience, Courage and so much more!


 

Please help us preserve 4-H History . . .



4-H History Preservation Newsletter
August 2015

Most Washingtonians (DC types) leave town in August because of the heat, but your 4-H History Team is still here!


Record Amount of 4-H Enrollment

What activity expanded 4-H enrollment to over seven million in the 1970s? Want an easier question? OK, what put 4-H in the Comic Book business? Same answer.

People Who Made 4-H Great

We start a new 10-month series featuring “People Who Helped Make 4-H Great!” Reprints from 1962 National 4-H News highlight the significant contributions of individuals whose leadership formed and strengthened the program.

Entrepreneurship in 4-H Clubs

“Hands-on History” this month is about entrepreneurship activities your club can take on. Make money for an important goal just like 4-H clubs have done for decades.

Corn Clubs at 1904 World’s Fair

The 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exhibition (sometimes known as the 1904 World’s Fair) was the site of a significant 4-H exhibit. What would Illinois 4-H want to show the world?

National 4-H History Map Unveiled

4-H’ers from seven states recently unveiled their National 4-H History Map to 16,000 cartographers from 120 countries. Have you decided which people, places or events you want to memorialize on the 4-H History Map?


Mulligan Stew Made 4-H Television History

Member project book for television viewers. The

Member project book for television viewers.
The



The sweltering heat is not a deterrent; 4-H continues to build and honor its history! Enjoy this issue.