4-H: A Foundation for the Future

KEEPING LOCAL HISTORY ALIVE

Why 4-H? This 4-H promo piece lists skills learned through involvement in 4-H.

4-H: A FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE

SOUTH DAKOTA 4-H HISTORY

The 4-H program grew out of the need to help young people and their families receive better agricultural education. The Morrill Act of 1862 established the land grant college system, which lead to South Dakota State College in 1881. Land grant universities looked for ways to share research with the public and found youth to be an ideal audience. Through Tomato Clubs and Corn Clubs, youth were able to participate in hands-on activities as a way to learn about agriculture.

These clubs, referred to as 4-H clubs by 1912, led to agriculture and home management clubs for youth across America. In South Dakota, Minnehaha County resident William Mair organized the earliest South Dakota Boys Club, with the first meeting happening in 1906 or 1907.

The Smith-Lever Act in 1914 created the Cooperative Extension System, tasking the land-grant universities in each state to get the university to the people. By 1924, the name “4-H” and the clover were officially adopted. Over time, 4-H has evolved to include both urban and rural youth and has expanded beyond agriculture.

Today, 4-H in South Dakota teaches life skills and leadership to youth in the four program priorities of Agriculture, Science, Health and Wellness and Leadership.

The Elsie Carper Collection on Extension Service, Home Economics, and 4-H spans almost nine decades from 1908 through 1994. Elsie Carper compiled and preserved the history of home demonstration and 4-H during her four decades as an administrative assistant for the national 4-H program and nearly two decades as an historian during her retirement. Carper saved various items given to her by Extension specialists and program leaders and donated the materials to the National Agricultural Library. The collection includes materials pertaining to the work of three important people in the history of the Extension Service, specifically Seaman Knapp, Oscar Herman Benson, and Gertrude Warren.

The collection spans 8.75 linear feet and occupies 14 archival boxes. Materials are in good condition. There are no restrictions on use of the collection. In 2003, Jan Scholl, 4-H Curriculum Specialist, The Pennsylvania State University, and Kate Hayes, Technical Information Specialist, National Agricultural Library, initiated processing of the collection. Barbara Stommel, Special Collections Librarian, National Agricultural Library, completed the processing in 2005. Additional materials contributed by Jan Scholl, including a history of the National Association of Extension Home Economists through 1975 and 4-H Club song records, were added to the collection in June 2006.

“Improving Family and Community Living Feb. 28-March 7 (1959).”

Special Collections, USDA National Agricultural Library. Accessed August 11, 2019, http://www.nal.usda.gov/exhibits/speccoll/items/show/191

“Pathways to the Future (1981-82).”

Special Collections, USDA National Agricultural Library. Accessed August 11, 2019, http://www.nal.usda.gov/exhibits/speccoll/items/show/212.

“Expanding Horizons (1979-80).”

Special Collections, USDA National Agricultural Library. Accessed August 11, 2019, http://www.nal.usda.gov/exhibits/speccoll/items/show/211

“learn, live, serve through 4-H March 2-9 (1963).”

Special Collections, USDA National Agricultural Library. Accessed August 11, 2019, http://www.nal.usda.gov/exhibits/speccoll/items/show/195

THE FUTURE OF 4-H: GROWING TRUE LEADERS

The primary program areas of 4-H are STEM and Agriculture, Healthy Living, and Civic Engagement. Our Ag educators are making a difference by spearheading these programs.

As students join the organization, it is critical that adults continue to encourage involvement in activities that provide hands-on experiences that help them build confidence and grow skills.

LOCALLY CARRYING ON THE TRADITION

Sarah VanDerVliet, Ag Educator and FFA Advisor at Tri-Valley School, at the Sioux Empire Fair (August 1999) with her cow, Manilow, who was rewarded the Reserve Champion Dairy Cow trophy

Former 4-H member Sarah VanDerVliet, Ag Educator and FFA advisor at her alma mater high school, Tri-Valley, carries on her passion for the organization to students and her children.

4-H is not only an organization—it is a tradition: a culture that families have embraced for many years. Activities bring families together to teach youth about caring for animals, leading healthy lifestyles, and to be actively involved in the community, and much more.

After a week-long commitment to 4-H activities at the Sioux Empire Fair—from not only a leadership role as an educator but also from the perspective of a proud parent—she was reminded of what makes 4-H so great.

“My favorite part of 4-H has always been family time. It is one organization that can get the whole family working together to achieve one goal.” Sarah’s parents, Kris and Mark Anderson, continued the tradition of doing projects with the kids this year. They tie dyed shoes, shirts, a car holder, drop cord, sewed a bag, sewed a mermaid, and painted a jewelry box. Sarah’s mother-in-law, Lois VanDerVliet, continued her tradition of baking cookies and breads. “A big part of 4-H is tradition,” adds Sarah.

This is also where tradition comes in; it plays a key role in why families lead their children to get involved in 4-H. Former 4-H students—those from urban areas as well as rural areas— can testify to the benefits of 4-H and how it helped prepare them for their careers.

LIFE LESSONS

We heard from several former 4-H members who shared stories of their experiences in 4-H. 4-H gave these individuals opportunities to grow, to travel, be involved in the community, to speak in public—activities that helped prepare them for the future.

“Time management skills, commitment, and public speaking.” -Danita Tegethoff, Kimball, SD (Marketing Coordinator, Avera Health)

Danita Tegethoff with Star, her purple ribbon breeding heifer (1990s)

“Travel! I attended trips to Washington, D.C. and Kansas City; I saw many places in the U.S. because of 4-H. I learned a lot from public speaking and judging. I also showed sheep and much more.” _Emily Robinson, Centerville, SD | Emily is a Registered Nurse at Sanford Health. She was involved with the Centerville Superstars 4-Club and was the 4-H Queen her senior year in high school.

Emily Robinson with her husband, Derrick, and their children, Ruthie, Winnie, and Graham

“I loved the motivation of making projects every summer for the county fair. I learned a lot of new skills from the different categories you could enter.”-Amanda Smith Miller, Tri-Valley High School graduate (Associate Professor of Biblical Studies at Belmont University)

Amanda (Smith) Miller with her husband, Alec, and their children

“Kids also learn the basics of running a business meeting/ parliamentary procedure in 4-H.”--Heidi Selken Zwinger, Tri-Valley High School graduate (Herd Manager at Boadwine Farms and Colton Hustlers 4-H leader)

Heidi Zwinger and son, Brody Alquist

They learned by doing—learning, living and serving through 4-H.

For more information about the 4-H chapter in your area, visit iGrow.org or visit facebook.com/SDState4H.