4-H: Celebrating 100 years of fun

By By Meagan Scott / 4-H summer intern
July 7, 2002
Birthdays are special occasions that I get excited about. When I was a child, I always looked forward to my birthday party as well as attending the parties of my friends.
When my birthday rolled around each December, I enjoyed deciding what kind of birthday party I would have. I had skating parties, swimming parties (yes, in the winter thanks to indoor swimming pools) and dinner parties. Spending a couple of hours one afternoon with my friends to celebrate my birthday was something I looked forward to year after year.
Not only did I get excited about my own parties. But each time I would receive a birthday party invitation from a friend in the mail, it would also be an event to anticipate.
The invitation would immediately find its way to the refrigerator door, reminding me of the day the celebration would take place. I seldom missed a party. I can't think of a better way to celebrate a birthday than with cake, ice cream, punch, cookies, balloons and your best friends.
This past year has been one big birthday celebration for 4-H. The year 2002 marks 100 years of 4-H clubs. 4-H has come a long way since its birth in 1902. In fact, Mississippi is one of a handful of states that lay claim to the original 4-H clubs.
In the early 1900s, agricultural college professors organized Farmer's Institutes in nearly all states to bring the latest scientific agricultural information to farmers and their families. To involve the children of these farmers, boys' corn clubs and girls' tomato clubs were organized in parts of Illinois and Ohio in 1902.
Mississippi became the first state to receive federal money to support boys' and girls' demonstration clubs in 1907 when the U.S. Department of Agriculture sponsored clubs in Holmes County.
School superintendent W.H. Smith organized 82 members who exhibited corn at a local fair, and he became known nationally as "Corn Club" Smith. Although 4-H looks much different today than it did in 1902, the same principles are behind the clubs that originated 100 years ago.
Even though the celebration has been going on all year long, a grand finale will take place on July 20 at the Agriculture and Forestry Museum in Jackson. It will be a birthday blowout for 4-H.
The day will kick off with a 5K/1 mile Run/Walk For the Clover at 7:30 a.m. The registration fee for the run or walk is $12 if you register on or before July 12 and $15 after this date. Hurry and register today.
Festivities for the day include face painting, balloon art, games, a cake walk, square dancing and much, much more. There will be hands-on field and stream activities and the State 4-H Horse Show will be on display.
A variety of contests that 4-H'ers can opportunity in include the 4-H Star Search, Sew-with-Cotton, Linnaean (Bug) Bowl and the 4-H Poultry Cookout. Former 4-H members will be able to gather under the Reunion Tent and recap past memories of 4-H.
This alumni group need not worry because the "old time favorites" will not be forgotten. Heritage activities will bring back memories with activities such as quilting, 4-H Tall Tales, and square dancing. As you can see, there are activities not only for 4-H'ers, but for "4-H'ers at heart."
Throughout the past 100 years, 4-H has touched the lives of many young people, teaching them about themselves and empowering them to become capable and responsible citizens.
As the needs of youth change, 4-H programs change as well.
Although clubs today are much different from the original corn and tomato clubs in 1902, one thing has remained constant: 4-H has always had as its goal to help young people reach their greatest potential through practical programming.
In 4-H, youth "learn by doing." No matter how many birthdays 4-H celebrates, its motto will remain the same: "To make the best better."
So, if you are like me and like birthday parties, it's time to get ready for one of the greatest celebrations of all times. There will be more food, fun, and fellowship than you can ever imagine. Plan to get out your party hats and horns and join us July 20 to help blowout one hundred candles for 4-H!
For more information about the 4-H Centennial Celebration or to register for the Run for the Clover, call your local County Extension Office. In Lauderdale County, the number is 482-9764.