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The Four H's

It wasn't until 1907 when Jessie Field Shambaugh, from Page county, and superintendent of Wright County Schools, O.H. Benson, started using a three leaf clover for the identity of boys and girls clubs. The 3 H's were for

ead

eart

ands

In 1911, when O.H. Benson worked in Washington D.C., the idea of the four-leaf clover came into play. He suggested the fourth "H" to stand for

ealth

Those are the four H's on the four-leaf clover.

The 4-H Emblem

Club work for rural youth was organized many years before the term "4-H" or before the four-leaf clover emblem was used. In the early years, 4-H's foundation can be found in the public school system. The 4-H emblem is one of the most highly recognized logos in the world and got its start from a small town in Iowa named Clarion, and went something like this...

One sunny June morning in 1906 at a one-room country school near Clarion, Iowa, 11 pupils spent their recess outside searching for four-leaf clovers. They had plucked seven clovers when a visitor drove up, the Superintendent of schools. At the teacher's suggestion, the children surrendered their good luck charms and placed the seven clovers into the hands of the superintendent.

He said, "I've been looking for an emblem for the agricultural clubs and the schools of the county, and you have just given me that emblem, the four-leaf clover; it will help explain to young and old the message of a four square education." (In those early days, 4H was known as "four-square education," which was based upon educational, physical, moral, and fellowship development.)

The clover was officially adopted as the national emblem in 1911.

The Pledge

The 4-H pledge was officially adopted at the first National 4-H Camp (similar to a national conference) in 1927. Originally written by Otis Hall, state leader of Kansas, it was fine tuned by Dr. R.A. Pearson, president of Iowa State College, and Dr. A.C. True of the federal extension service, and submitted mostly as written to the National 4-H Camp. The wording adopted for the whole country by the leaders in 1927 is that of today:

"I pledge

My Head to clearer thinking,
My Heart to greater loyalty,
My Hands to larger service,
My Health to better living,

For my club, my community, my country, and my world."

In 4-H, youth participated in many activities: picnics, fairs, short courses, recreational events, community festivals, and many other educational activities. In the early 1900's, the superintendent of Wright County Schools, O.H. Benson said, "In general, these activities built a greater brotherhood and community spirit amongst people." Imagine - the core focus of the organization, remaining viable, and vigorous though the 20th, and into the 21st century.

The Motto

In 1927, the club motto originally proposed by Miss Carrie Harrison, botanist in the Bureau of Plant Industry, was adopted by the leaders. The motto remains the same today:

"To make the best better."

The Colors

The official colors of 4-H are green and white. Green is nature's most common color and stands for springtime, life, youth, and growth. White symbolizes purity and high ideals.

The Slogan

4H has had several slogans depending on the part of the country that you live in. Usually slogans are developed by members when planning club programs or activities. Some of the more common slogans are

Do you remember a slogan that is different from those listed? If so, please send them to Becky Nibe

4-H and ISU

In 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Morrill Act. This provided "land grants" to enable states the establishment colleges of agriculture, mechanic arts, and homemaking with all phases of instruction. Many of the states acquired land form the government, and sold the land, investing the profits to pay for buildings, staff and associated expenses.

Iowa State University is a "Land Grant University" which was the product of Hatch Act of 1887. It established the foundation for experiment stations for discovering agricultural knowledge.

On May 8, 1914, President Wilson signed the Smith Lever Act, the federal bill that provided the mechanism of obtaining mutual support between the federal, state, and local, governments to provide an educational program that was to get its ideas and inspiration from people at all levels, from the farmers of the land to Washington D.C., thus creating extension, and the home of 4-H.

Additional Resources

It is important to point out that many early developments outlined here have ties to Iowa. It is the entire nation that is responsible for the 4-H organization as many states had a "first" something. Collectively this organization grew and developed during its infancy. Check out some of these resources to learn more:

The 4-H Story by Franklin M. Reck
Printed by Iowa State (College) University Press, Ames, Iowa, 1951.
4-H: An American Idea 1900-1980, A History of 4-H by Thomas Wessel and Marilyn Wessel
Published by National 4-H Council in 1982, it picks up where Reck's book leaves off.
Taking the University to the People by Wayne D. Rasmussen
Printed by Iowa State University Press, Ames, Iowa, 1989 ISBN # 0-8138-0419-1
Background and History of 4-H by Jamie K. Stensland, communication assistant
and Melva Berkland, Extension communication specialist 4-H, August 1989 (PDF or web page)