October is National 4-H Month
In 1909, researchers at Oklahoma's ag school (now OSU) had found that youth were more likely than adults to experiment with the new agricultural discoveries coming out of the ag research stations. The youth would then share their experiences and successes with the adults. All of Oklahoma’s 77 counties had 4-H by 1937.
In 1944, President Roosevelt asked rural boys and girls to help support troops fighting in World War II. Four-H’ers produced enough food to care for one million soldiers for three years.
Today, Oklahoma 4-H has more than 158,000 members who continue to volunteer their time and efforts to Oklahoma through projects including agriculture, citizenship, healthy living, science and technology, food science, and environmental education. As 4-H’ers celebrate National 4-H Week and Oklahoma 4-H Month during October, they will begin a new century of keeping it green as they raise awareness about environmental issues and make a difference for Oklahoma’s future.
Writing Prompt: Students research the beginnings of 4-H or some other youth organization and report their findings to the class.
For information about 4-H in your area, contact OSU Cooperative Extension Service in your county.
Online AITC Lesson: Head, Hands, Heart, Health
Background Photo: 4-H National Science Day at OSU, Photo courtesy of Oklahoma State University.
Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom is a program of the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry and the Oklahoma State Department of Education