Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
June 10, 2010
2010 marks the 100th anniversary of 4-H in Colorado. In the early 1900s, a national movement to create corn clubs for boys and tomato clubs for girls gained popularity in many states. These clubs were designed to transfer new technology of the land-grant university system to the public through young people who were more receptive to the adoption of new technologies.
During the spring of 1910, Colorado Agricultural College (now known as Colorado State University) faculty members Henry Cottrell, superintendent of Extension; T.M. Netherton, principal of the school of agriculture; and W.E. Vaplon, instructor in animal husbandry, visited 96 schools. They talked to 3,740 boys and girls about the organization of agricultural clubs.
Fifty-two of these clubs were formed in 1910, one of which has been active for 100 years. The Edison Drylanders 4-H Club in eastern El Paso County is the oldest continually active 4-H club in the state of Colorado.
“Plans for commemorating the past and looking to the future of 4-H in Colorado include gathering the stories of how 4-H has touched the lives of local community members and a focus on highlighting emerging science, technology, engineering, and math in current and future projects,” says Jeff Goodwin, assistant director for 4-H and youth development.
Through state and county fairs and multimedia projects, 4-H members will be working in their local areas and showcasing current and historic community involvement in 4-H.
Originally published in Ag Family, Spring 2010.
Contact: Joanne Littlefield
E-mail: Joanne.Littlefield@colostate.edu
Phone: (970) 491-4640
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