🍀The Father of 4-H and Rural Youth Development

⚡ Powered by: Braintrust Ag

Good morning. Today we present to you a 3-minute snippet of ag history and apply its lessons to YOUR operation.

A.B. Graham: The Father of 4-H and Rural Youth Development

Alfred Belmont (A.B.) Graham, the father of the 4-H program, helped shape the foundation of American agriculture as we know it today by emphasizing the importance of youth education.

It All Started When…

An Ohio native, Graham was born in 1868 in Champaign County. A graduate of the National Normal University in Lebanon, Ohio, he earned a reputation early on in his teaching career for his passion in rural community and agricultural sciences.

In 1902, Graham developed an after-school program that he called the “Boys and Girls Agriculture Club” in Springfield, Ohio. These gatherings taught a variety of rural life skills including crop production, soil testing and the like.

The program was widely popular, and was soon noticed by the newly-minted Ohio State University which helped bring these clubs to other counties across the state. In fact, the University loved it so much Graham was named its very first superintendent of Agricultural Extension.

Eventually, Graham would move on to New York to run their extension program, but his mark on his home state is undeniable. He lived until 1960 and his memory is commemorated throughout Ohio - one of his houses in Columbus was officially placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2015 and the school he first began this “Agriculture Club” was fittingly renamed the A.B. Graham Building.

Cultivation in the Nation’s Landscape

The timeliness of Graham’s infant 4-H concept couldn’t have been better. You see less than 10 years later in 1914 the Smith-Lever Act would pass and create the USDA’s Cooperative Extension System. This allowed for the nationalization and formalization of the 4-H program - being formally adopted with the official clover emblem in 1924.

Several years later in 1959, the National 4-H Center held its opening ceremonies presided by none other than President Eisenhower himself.

While 4-H has evolved over the years embracing more skills both on and off the farm, its original mission of agriculture and home skills development rings true.

This program melded perfectly with the Smith-Lever Act’s mission “to provide for cooperative agricultural extension work between the agricultural colleges in the several States…” giving it a bit of extra strength to also cater to youth.

It was around the time of the Act’s passage (which was full of its own politics and debates prior to implementation) that research was showing many of the adults in farming were slow to accept the developments coming from their state universities.

However, there was evidence to show that younger people were more likely to explore and practice these ideas - paving the way for formal yet practical hands-on programming to specifically pinpoint rural youth.

And, considering the national impact of the 4-H program with how many farmers, researchers, and agribusiness professionals point to it being a pivotal point of their youth, the results speak for themselves.

What Does it Mean for You?

The reality is that if you’re in agriculture, you’ve benefited from the Smith-Lever Act in some way, shape or form.

From your local extension agent, county programs and services to innumerable state and county-level programs (and of course, your county 4-H clubs), this act made it possible.

Chances are you’re among the 25 million+ alumni 4-H boasts and, if so, its impact on your life and career is unique. But still today, on the state and national levels 4-H continues to promote goals for the betterment of agriculture and community efforts.

If you haven’t yet, check out your state’s 4-H impact report and see exactly what programs it’s promoting in your region.

Appreciate you reading today's edition - please share with 5 friends!

Brought to you by:

Braintrust Ag is committed to providing farmers, ranchers, and agri-business owners with valuable resources + connections to start, grow, and transition their ag operation.

Free Resource! 18 Farm Financial Ratios eBook + Calculator

Know your numbers & track your operation’s financial health with these 18 crucial financial ratios.

You’ll get a free eBook outlining:

• 18 Farm Financial Ratio formulas

• Why ag bankers look at these ratios

• Expert tips to improve on problem areas

• PLUS - Ratio Calculator to help you crunch your numbers

Was this shared with you? Click 'Subscribe' to add a bit of daily history knowledge to your inbox.

Email [email protected] to let us know topics we should cover or to become a supporter.

View past issues here.