Auburn, July 16---Alabama 4-H is searching
for lost sheep: the thousands of children of all ages and walks of
life who have benefited from 4-H programs in a variety of ways.
"What we’re trying to do is find as many
people we can in this state whose lives were touched in significant
ways by their 4-H involvement," says Dr. Beth Atkins, assistant
to the Extension director for development.
Interviews conducted with many former 4-H’ers will
be used as part of an oral and written centennial history of Alabama
4-H. Alabama 4-H will celebrate its centennial in 2003.
The material will also comprise part of a videotape
and CD-ROM presentation that will be prepared as part of the
centennial celebration.
"We would love to hear your 4-H story,"
Atkins says. "We know there are probably few, if any, people
still alive who can remember what 4-H was like at the very
beginning, but there are other periods in 4-H history that also need
to be recounted."
"We know there are still former 4-H’ers still
alive who can recount what it was like traveling to 4-H camp,
sitting atop a hay bale in a farm wagon and carrying along chickens
and other farm products to pay for their admission," she says.
Other periods of special interest are the Depression
era and war years, Atkins says.
"We want to learn about what life was like
before electricity, as well as the significant role 4-H played in
helping bring rural electrification to the countryside," Atkins
says. "We also want to hear about World War II-era blood
drives, victory gardens and mattress making to support the war
effort."
However, interest isn’t confined to those periods.
"We want to hear from all kinds of 4-H’ers no
matter what era they come from," Atkins says.
So far, more than 100 former 4-H’ers throughout
the state already have been nominated by local Extension agents or
4-H volunteers or retired 4-H professionals.
Videotaping these accounts will begin in late summer
of 2001 and will continue through 2002.
For more information, contact your local Extension
agent or contact Dr. Atkins directly at 110 Duncan Hall, Auburn
University, AL 36849. You may also e-mail her at
