Montana 4-H Celebrates 100 Years in 2012

Since its beginning over 100 years ago, 4-H has grown to become the nation’s largest youth development organization. 4-H revolutionized how youth connected to practical, hands-on learning experiences outside of the classroom.

Back in 1914, Congress passed the Smith-Lever Act and created the Cooperative Extension System at USDA, which included boys’ and girls’ clubs. The first 4-H camp was held in Blaine County followed by Prairie County camp in 1919. Shortly after, National 4-H week became a nationwide observation. By the 1930s, numerous County 4-H Councils had been formed.

In the 1990s, the Montana 4-H Builders led to the creation of Junior Leader and Teen Leader programs. Camps, designed for this age group, served as training opportunities. Also during this time, non-traditional projects like skateboarding, shooting sports and other special interest programs gained popularity.

Starting in 2000, Montana 4-H expanded delivery methods and offered new project areas such as outdoor adventure, robotics and videography while strong interest remained in projects like livestock, horse, shooting sports, food and nutrition, clothing, photography and dog.

Just recently, Montana PBS filmed a documentary highlighting the 4-H experience and recognizing the 4-H Centennial.

Today, 4-H has an expansive reach, serving youth in rural, urban, and suburban communities in every state across the nation. 4-H offers a wide variety of science, engineering, technology and applied math educational opportunities – from agricultural and animal sciences to rocketry, robotics, environmental protection and computer science.

Locally, in Richland County, we currently have 11 4-H Clubs in operation including: Badlands Brushpoppers, Brorson Farmhands, Missouri River Ranchers, Forever Buds, Lambert Hi-Liters, Richland Rockets, Three Buttes, Richland Aces, Yellowstone Valley, F-V (Fairview), and the Richland Rascals. Last year, there were 178 4-H members recorded in the county. Also this past September, the county welcomed new extension agent Josie Evenson to Sidney as the 4-H/Youth Development Agent. Between a new creative mind in Evenson and the expanding community, 4-H in the area has been expanding. Evenson stated, “Every club has a new family that joined this year, while the Forever Buds club has doubled in size.” It is great to see the numbers going up, as the clubs do a lot of projects that benefit the community. A few of their projects include gathering personal items to send off to the military, mowing the grass at cemeteries, doing clean-up on roadsides and parks, making blankets and donating them, donating a tree to the Parade of Trees auction, and even “adopting” a family to buy stuff for at Christmas time.

As stated above, 4-H has opened the door for young people to learn leadership skills and explore ways to give back.

For a more in-depth look into the history of 4-H in Montana, check out the new book out that celebrates the centennial. The book, ‘past, present and possibilities’ highlights the heritage and strengths of the Montana 4-H program and looks forward to a successful future. The book was compiled by Betty McCoy, who was 4-H member from 1954-1964 and a State 4-H Leader from 1988-2004. You can purchase the book for $15.95 at http://www.msuextension.org/store.

If you are interested in getting involved in 4-H, feel free to contact Josie Evenson at the MSU-Extension Office at 406-433-1206 or email her at [email protected].