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4-H Club History
4-H grew out of the progressive educational movement of the late 1800's and early 1900's in America. Rural school principals
and superintendents were interested in applying practical concepts to the reading, writing, and arithmetic they were trying to
teach rural youth, who knew little about the urban settings in much of the material they were studying.
At the same time, the agricultural colleges and experiment stations were accumulating a body of scientific knowledge that would
improve the farmer's productivity and living standards. Unfortunately, farmers showed little interest in adopting the book
farming" methods of the college professors. These professors began to consider the possibilities of indirectly reaching the
farmers through teaching the farmer' children improved agricultural methods.
From an early unorganized beginning, 4-H clubs have developed into a world-wide youth movement. The idea of starting 4-H
clubs cannot be credited to one individual or institution. Instead, 4-H has resulted from the ideas and work of many pioneer
leaders. Some 29 different individuals have been called the founder of the 4-H program. However, three people seem to have
played a significant role in promoting this 4-H movement: W. B. Otwell, of Illinois, was an early (1900) sponsor of special farm
work for youth. A. B. Graham introduced modern 4-H club organization and methods in Ohio in 1902. And in 1905,
O. H. Benson, county superintendent of schools in Wright County, Iowa, worked out a plan of tying farm problems and record
keeping in with school work.
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