Wisconsin 4-H Youth Development celebrates 100 years of growing Wisconsin leaders

Published on by jackie.askins

Waukesha Community GardenWisconsin 4-H Youth Development will spend 2014 celebrating 100 years of positive youth development programming. Since 1914, Wisconsin 4-H has helped youth grow the leadership, critical thinking and communications skills necessary to be successful in a constantly changing world.

Wisconsin 4-H Youth Development is part of the University of Wisconsin-Extension, and 4-H programs are delivered in partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture and federal, state and local governments. 4-H has its roots in youth corn and agriculture clubs, which helped researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Extension share the latest agriculture developments with farmers by teaching their children.

Just seven youth attended the first 4-H club meeting in Walworth County on October 30, 1914. Today, more than

4H Demonstration Team in 1910s

Early 4-H Demonstration Team in 4-H uniforms. c 1910s

35,000 youth are enrolled as community club members, and nearly 50,000 young people are involved in 4-H through in-school and after-school clubs, day camps, mentoring programs and other opportunities. All Wisconsin 4-H programs are supported by the hard work of more than 20,000 youth and adult volunteers. Wisconsin 4-H programs continue to emphasize lifelong learning and a strong connection with the University of Wisconsin, and programs are available for all interests including science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), agriculture and animal science, arts and communications, leadership, healthy living, international exchange and more.

Wisconsin 4-H Youth Development will celebrate the Centennial with a few statewide events throughout the year: Wisconsin 4-H Day at the Capitol will be March 19, 2014; April will be Wisconsin 4-H Statewide Service Month; and August 5, 2014 is Wisconsin 4-H Day at the State Fair.

County 4-H programs will also celebrate the Wisconsin 4-H Centennial at local events throughout the year. Check out https://blogs.extension.wisc.edu/4hcentennial/ to learn more about the last 100 years of Wisconsin 4-H and find 4-H Centennial events in your area.