4-H in the United States is a youth organization administered by the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) with the mission of "engaging youth to reach their fullest potential while advancing the field of youth development. See also Youth The following is a List of youth organizations; all organizations are international unless noted as associated with a specific country The Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service (CSREES is an agency within the U "[1] The four "H"s stand for Head, Heart, Hands, and Health. The organization serves over 6. 5 million members in the United States from ages 5 to 19 in approximately 90,000 clubs. [2] 4-H clubs and related organizations now exist in many other countries as well; the organization and administration varies from country to country.
The goal of 4-H is to develop citizenship, leadership, and life skills of youth through mostly experiential learning programs. Though typically thought of as an agriculturally focused organization as a result of its history, 4-H today encourages members to learn about many topics, such as youth leadership, youth-adult partnership, geographic information systems, and public speaking. Youth leadership is the practice of Teens exercising Authority over themselves or others Youth-Adult Partnership is the title of a Conscious relationship which establishes and sustains Intergenerational equity between young people Public speaking is the process of speaking to a group of people in a structured deliberate manner intended to inform influence or entertain the listeners
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History
The foundations of 4-H began around the start of the twentieth century, with the work of several people in different parts of the United States. The focal point of 4-H has been the idea of practical and "hands-on" learning, which came from the desire to make public school education more connected to rural life. Early programs tied both public and private resources together to benefit rural youth.
During this time, researchers at experiment stations of the land-grant universities and USDA saw that adults in the farming community did not readily accept new agricultural discoveries. Land-grant universities (also called land-grant colleges or land grant institutions) are institutions of higher education in the United States that have But, educators found that youth would "experiment" with these new ideas and then share their experiences and successes with the adults. So rural youth programs became a way to introduce new agriculture technology to the adults. Timeline of Agriculture and Food technology Neolithic Revolution 12000 BC - Neolithic Revolution, the first
A. B. Graham started one of the youth programs in Clark County, Ohio in 1902, which is considered the birth of the 4-H program in the United States. Albert Belmont Graham (1868–1960 was born in Lena Ohio. He was a country Schoolmaster and agriculture extension pioneer at Ohio State University. For British letters to voters in Clark County in the 2004 Presidential election, see The Guardian Clark County is a County Ohio ( is a Midwestern state of the United States. As part of the Great Lakes region, Ohio has long been a cultural and geographical crossroads The first club was called "The Tomato Club. " When Congress created the Cooperative Extension Service of the USDA by passage of the Smith-Lever Act of 1914, it included within the CES charter the work of various boys' and girls' clubs involved with agriculture, home economics and related subjects. The Cooperative Extension Service, also known as the Extension Service of the USDA, is a non-formal educational program implemented The Smith-Lever Act of 1914 is a United States federal law that established a system of Cooperative extension services connected to the Land-grant universities By 1924 these clubs became organized as "4-H" clubs and the clover emblem was adopted. [3]
The first 4-H camp was held in Randolph County, West Virginia. West Virginia ( is a state in the Appalachian Upland South, and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States, bordered by Originally, these camps were for what was referred to as "Corn Clubs". Campers slept in corn fields, in tents, only to wake up and work almost the entirety of each day. Superintendent of schools, G. C. Adams began a boys corn club in Newton County, Georgia, in 1904. Newton County is a County located in the US state of Georgia. However, the city of Jacksboro, Texas also stakes a claim to having the first forerunner to 4-H in 1910. Jacksboro is a city in Jack County, Texas, United States. The population was 4533 at the 2000 census
4-H membership hit an all-time high in 1974, as a result of its popular educational program about nutrition, Mulligan Stew, shown in schools and on television across the country.
The 4-H motto is "To make the best better," while its slogan is "Learn by doing. "
In 2008 David "Lumber" Smith and Kathryn "Wind in her Hair" Baystar expanded the group to the country of Mexico under the original motto of "Head, Hands, Heart, Hustle" and started the controversial "Rolex's for Agriculture" Program.
Pledge
The 4-H pledge is as follows:
"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 original pledge was written by Otis Hall of Kansas in 1918.
California 4-H adds either "As a true 4-H member" or "As a loyal 4-H member" at the beginning of the pledge. Minnesota and Maine 4-H add "for my family" to the last line of the pledge.
Originally, the pledge ended in "and my country", later the "and my world" was added.
Emblem
The official 4-H emblem is a green four-leaf clover with a white 'H' on each leaf standing for Head, Heart, Hands, and Health. For information on the song go to Four Leaf Clover (song The four-leaf clover is an uncommon variation of the common three-leaved Clover. White and green are the 4-H colors. The white symbolizes purity. The green represents nature's most common colour and is emblematic of youth, life, and growth.
The 4-H Name and emblem have U. S. federal protection under federal code 18 U. S. C. 707. [4] This federal protection makes it a mark unto and of itself with protection that supersedes the limited authorities of both a trademark and a copyright. A trademark or trade mark, represented by the symbols ™ and ®, or mark is a distinctive sign or indicator used by an individual Copyright is a legal concept enacted by Governments, giving the creator of an original work of authorship Exclusive rights to control its distribution usually for The Secretary of Agriculture is given responsibility and stewardship for the 4-H Name and Emblem, at the direct request of the U.S. Congress. The United States Secretary of Agriculture is the head of the United States Department of Agriculture. The United States Congress is the bicameral Legislature of the federal government of the United States of America, consisting of two houses These protections place the 4-H emblem in a unique category of protected emblems like the U.S. Presidential Seal, Red Cross, Smokey Bear and the Olympic rings. The Seal of the President of the United States is the official arms of the U The American Red Cross (also known as the American National Red Cross) is a humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance disaster relief and education inside Smokey Bear (often wrongly referred to as Smokey The Bear is a character in the longest running public service campaign in United States history The Olympic symbols are the icons Flags and symbols used by the International Olympic Committee to promote the Olympic Games. [5]
Program delivery
4-H is a community of young people across America learning citizenship, leadership, and life skills. 4-H programs can be found in three expansive mission mandates: Science, Engineering, and Technology (4-H SET), Citizenship, and Healthy Living.
The 4-H program aims to educate youth in arts and sciences, and to encourage fellowship and service opportunities. With continued urban sprawl, 4-H continues to develop new projects for its members to study beyond agriculture and animal husbandry, including photography, conservation, cooking, public speaking, history, art, and other pursuits. Urban sprawl, also known as suburban sprawl, is the spreading of a city and its Suburbs over rural land at the fringe of an urban area
The organization is often associated with summer camps, county fairs and state fairs. Summer camp is a supervised Program for Children and/or Teenagers conducted (usually during the Summer Months in some countries A fair is a gathering of people to display or trade produce or other goods to parade or display animals and often to enjoy associated Carnival or Funfair entertainment A state fair is a competitive and recreational gathering of a U 4-H has spread out across the world, and regularly awards and sponsors the International Four-H Youth Exchange (IFYE), trips, and cultural events (see external links). The International Four-H Youth Exchange, or IFYE is an international exchange program within the 4-H Program
Although having embraced many new fields of endeavor over the years, 4-H retains a strong connection to its roots in agriculture and the associated values of thrift, invention, education, compassion, conservation, encouragement, service, and general happiness and well-being.
Youth Development Research
Through the program's tie to land-grant institutions of higher education, 4-H academic staff are responsible for advancing the field of youth development. [6] Professional academic staff are committed to innovation, the creation of new knowledge, and the dissemination of new forms of program practice. Youth development research is undertaken in a variety of forms including program evaluation, applied research, and introduction of new programs.
Volunteers
Program delivery relies heavily on a large volunteer corps. Volunteers may serve in a variety of roles. Some are project leaders who teach youth skills and knowledge in an area of interest. Others are unit or community club leaders who organize clubs, groups, camps, and other programs. Resource leaders are available to provide information and expertise. 4-H volunteers work under the direction of professional staff to plan and conduct activities and events, develop and maintain educational programs, and secure resources in support of the program.
4-H Camping Programs
Every U. S. state runs its own independent camping program. 4-H camping programs in most states are run through land-grant institutions. Land-grant universities (also called land-grant colleges or land grant institutions) are institutions of higher education in the United States that have Washington State University runs the Washington program, as Pennsylvania State University runs Pennsylvania's. Washington State University ( WSU) is an American public Research university in Pullman, Washington. The Pennsylvania State University (commonly known as Penn State) is a state-related, land-grant, space grant public research University The Georgia 4-H camping program boasts the largest youth center in the world, known as Rock Eagle. Georgia 4-H was founded in 1904 by GC Adams in Newton County Georgia as the Girls Canning and Boys Corn Clubs ent.
The first 4-H camp was at Camp Good Luck in Randolph County, West Virginia. The first state 4-H Camp was held at Jackson's Mill outside of Weston in Lewis County, West Virginia. Jackson's Mill is the boyhood home of Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson.
Native American imagery
For many years, Native American imagery was a fundamental part of the summer camping programs of several states. Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples from the regions of North America now encompassed by the continental United States By 2002, Virginia and West Virginia were among the last states that continued to promote the use of Native American imagery. The Commonwealth of Virginia ( is an American state West Virginia ( is a state in the Appalachian Upland South, and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States, bordered by Following a complaint to the USDA, the Virginia Extension Service removed all traditions related to Native Americans, including the decades-long practice of dividing campers into tribes, either Mattaponi, Monacan, Pamunkey, or Cherokee (all tribes native to Virginia). Mattaponi tribe traces its history back to the Powhatan Confederation of tribes led by Chief Powhatan. The Monacans are a group of people of mixed ancestry recognized as a Native American tribe by the state of Virginia in the United States. The Pamunkey Native American tribe is one of two existing tribes in Virginia that were part of the Powhatan Confederacy. The Cherokee (ᎠᏂᏴᏫᏯ a-ni-yv-wi-ya, in the Cherokee language) are a people native to North America, who at the time of European contact [7]
The West Virginia University Extension Service also decided in 2002 to discourage the use of any Native American imagery, but later restored what it determined to be "respectful" practices, such as dividing campers into Cherokee, Delaware, Mingo, or Seneca "tribes. The Cherokee (ᎠᏂᏴᏫᏯ a-ni-yv-wi-ya, in the Cherokee language) are a people native to North America, who at the time of European contact The shannon (later named Delaware Indians by Europeans were in the 17th century organized bands of Native American peoples with shared cultural and linguistic The Mingo are an Iroquois group of Native Americans that migrated west to the Ohio Country in the mid-eighteenth century "[8]
Collegiate 4-H clubs
Many colleges and universities have Collegiate 4-H clubs. Usually members are students who are 4-H alumni and want to continue a connection to 4-H, but any interested students are welcome. Clubs provide service and support to their local and state 4-H programs, such as serving as judges and conducting training workshops. They are also a service and social group for campus students. The very first Collegiate 4-H club started in 1916 on the Oklahoma State University - Stillwater campus. The National Collegiate 4-H website is: www.collegiate4h.org
Youngest members
Some regions offer programs for youth in grades K-3 called Cloverbuds, Cloverkids, 4H Adventurers, Primary Members, or Mini 4-H. Most states prohibit this age group from competition due to research in child development demonstrating that competition is unhealthy for youth ages 5 - 8 years old. Child development refers to the biological and psychological changes that occur in human beings between birth and the end of Adolescence, as the individual
All Stars
Finding its roots in the early 4-H movement in West Virginia, the 4-H All-Star program strives to recognize and challenge 4-H members and volunteers. West Virginia ( is a state in the Appalachian Upland South, and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States, bordered by State 4-H Club Leader William H. "Teepi" Kendrick sought to develop youth to "be yourself at your best" and to "make the best better" through a four-fold personal development pattern involving the head, hands, heart, and at that time, hustle. It was with this philosophy, in collaboration with others, that the 4-H emblem was born. In an attempt to harbor further individual growth, Kendrick recognized excellence with pins bearing one, two, three and four Hs. Recognition for outstanding participation was rewarded, from 1917-1921 with trips to a Prize Winner's Course at West Virginia University. West Virginia University is a Coeducational public Research university in Morgantown, West Virginia, USA. Members who demonstrated outstanding qualities at these courses were awarded five-pointed red pins with five Hs, with this additional H to symbolize honor. The recipients of these pins were referred to by Kendrick as "All Stars". It was following the pin consecration ceremony in 1919 that the official West Virginia 4-H All Stars organization was chartered, becoming the Alpha Chapter of the nation-wide 4-H honorary. [9]
Many states have "All Star" programs, although All Star programs vary from state to state. Selection as a "4-H All Star" is a recognition of achievement. In California, for example, it is the highest achievement award at the county level, and is a position awarded annually. California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. [10] Similarly, the capstone award in Texas 4-H is the Gold Star Award, which is given to Seniors who have shown outstanding leadership and proficiency in their project areas. [11]
In Virginia, on the other hand, All-Stars are not simply those who have achieved an All-Star award, but are those who have gained membership into the Virginia All-Stars organization. The Commonwealth of Virginia ( is an American state Upon reaching the age of 15, 4-H members are eligible to apply for membership into the All-Stars organization, which promotes the continuation of 4-H principles. [12]
Conferences
Many conferences are held at various levels of the 4-H program for youth and adults. The National 4-H Conference is the USDA Secretary’s premier youth development opportunity to engage youth in developing recommendations for the 4-H Youth Development Program. Other conferences are held by regional and state entities for youth, for volunteer development, or professional development for staff.
Around the World
4-H and related programs exist in over 80 countries around the world. These programs operate independently, as there is no international 4-H organization. However, through international exchanges, global education programs, and communications, they share a common bond in 4-H.
References
- ^ "California 4-H Mission and Direction"
- ^ National 4-H Council, National 4-H Headquarters, and e-mail dated December 3, 2007 from Suzanne Le Menestrel, National Program Leader, Youth Development Research, National 4-H Headquarters
- ^ 4-H Detailed History
- ^ U.S. House of Representatives, 18 USC Sec. 707, 4-H club emblem fraudulently used
- ^ Using the 4-H Name and Emblem
- ^ "California 4-H Mission and Direction"
- ^ "Virginia 4-H yields; Officials drop terms offensive to some Indians" by Jon Ward, The Washington Times, June 28, 2002
- ^ "4-H says camps will keep Indian traditions" by Jon Ward, The Washington Times, December 17, 2002
- ^ "West Virginia 4-H All Star History"
- ^ "4-H All Star" California
- ^ Texas Gold Star Award Application
- ^ Virginia 4-H "All-Star Brochure" by the Virginia Cooperative Extension. The Washington Times is a daily Broadsheet Newspaper published in Washington D Events 1098 - Fighters of the First Crusade defeat Kerbogha of Mosul. See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. The Washington Times is a daily Broadsheet Newspaper published in Washington D Events 546 - Gothic War (535–554: The Ostrogoths of King Totila See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar.
External links
- National 4-H Headquarters Official 4-H website by the USDA
- 4-H USA Community website by 4-H youth
- National 4-H Council Non-profit partner of 4-H and the Cooperative Extension System
- 4-H at the Open Directory Project
- [1] Central Area 4-H Tech Team (Iowa)
National and international programs
The Open Directory Project ( ODP) also known as dmoz (from directoryDictionary
4-H
-noun
- In the United States, a youth organization administered by the Cooperative Extension System of the United States Department of Agriculture with the mission of "engaging youth to reach their fullest potential while advancing the field of youth development."
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