Extension Report

Baldwin County Office

302A Byrne Street

Bay Minette, AL  36507

Cynthia Knowlton

Regional Extension Agent

4-H & Youth Development

September 9, 2008

Alabama 4-H Kicks Off Centennial Year

Alabama 4-H, the state’s oldest youth development organization, began a year of celebration on Friday, August 29, to honor the thousands of youth, volunteers and alumni who are Alabama 4-H.

The kickoff celebration was at the Cater Hall lawn of the Auburn University campus. Dozens of Alabama 4-H’ers from across the state showcased their diverse projects. The exhibits included rocketry, archery, technology, photography, design and animal husbandry.

A ceremony was held with Auburn President, Jay Gogue, speaking, along with Alabama 4-H State Council President, Dalta Garrett, a Shelby County 4-H’er; Gaines Smith, director of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System; Virginia Caples of Alabama A&M University; and Lamar Nichols, assistant director for 4-H and Youth Development.

“4-H has been and will continue to be a vital part of life in Alabama, and we invite our many alumni to celebrate with us,” says Gaines Smith, director of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, which is headquartered on the Auburn campus. “The special thing about 4-H is that through our educational programs, the lives of so many youth, including me, have been changed.”

“The 4-H experience is individual to each person and that continues to be its strength today,” said Smith. “Through 4-H, youth learn about subject matter, but as importantly, they learn about serving their community, they take on leadership responsibilities and they shape their future.”

Nichols, who directs 4-H employees statewide, says, “Alabama 4-H is a program of rich heritage and dynamic youth who have bright and promising futures because of 4-H. Alabama 4-H youth are more confident, and they are empowered to reach their full potential through 4-H.”

Alabama 4-H is offered in all 67 counties and more than 58,000 youth participate in a variety of 4-H clubs, special interest clubs, activities, events and competitions throughout the state.

During 2008-09, centennial celebrations are being planned across the state, including local, county and regional events.

History of Alabama 4-H

Youth programs in Alabama can be traced back to the early 1900s, when Thomas M. Campbell was appointed the first Alabama-based Extension agent. Campbell was hired by the USDA Office of Cooperative Demonstration to assist black farmers, and he used the Jesup Wagon, a movable school of agriculture, to spread the knowledge of better farming and home life to Alabama farmers. He and others quickly learned that while adults were resistant to farm practice changes, their children were more eager to learn. The idea of teaching children, who in turn teach others, was born and is still in existence today as 4-H.

The first youth clubs began in 1909 as Boys’ Corn Clubs in Anniston and Tuscaloosa, with the boy harvesting the most bushels winning $25. By the end of the year, there were more than 2,000 members. Two years later, Alabama organized girls’ tomato clubs in Pike and Walker counties.

Alabama 4-H Today

More than 58,000 Alabama youth statewide participate ina variety of educational programs to learn belonging, independence, generosity and mastery. Alabama 4-H reaches kids ages 9 to 19 through in-school programs, special interest programs, traditional club programs and competitive events. The focus of 4-H is using experiential learning programs to encourage youth to become productive citizens with positive character and leadership skills.

The mission of 4-H is to serve all youth. At the heart of Alabama 4-H’s curricula is the belief that programs must instill life-development skills. No matter the subject, 4-H instructs youth in character values needed to be productive citizens. Alabama 4-H also teaches leadership skills through its commitment to positive youth development.

Alabama 4-H Alumni

Some of Alabama’s greatest natives are alumni of 4-H, including Alabama Gov. Bob Riley, U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions, music stars Emmylou Harris, Randy Owen and Teddy Gentry; Habitat for Humanity Founder Millard Fuller and Pulitzer Prize winning author Rick Bragg.

To learn more about Alabama 4-H, go to www.alabama4h.com.  For more information, contact the Baldwin County Extension Office at 937-7176.   

Email address: cknowlto@aces.edu

Phone number: 937-7176 or 943-5611, 928-0860, ext. 2222

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, and other related acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) offers educational programs, materials, and equal opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability.