4-H celebrates: 1901-1909

1901. Jessie Field becomes teacher at Goldenrod School, Clarinda, Page County, Iowa, and begins before and after school Boys and Girls Clubs, a harbinger of the 4-H movement.

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1902. President W. M. Beardshear of Iowa State College delivers his presidential address before the National Educational Association, choosing as his subject the education of head, heart, and hand.

1903. (Right) Keokuk County Superintendent of Schools Cap E. Miller calls for an educational rally to be held in each township to improve schools, including education extended to the heart and hand as well as the head.

1904. Seventeen-year-old Paul C. Taff of Guthrie County enrolls in a two-week short course in farming at Iowa State College, is inspired by Professor Perry G. Holden (then head of the department of Farm Crops and Soils) comes back for short courses in 1905 and 1906, and receives the highest individual score in the courses. Taff assists Holden with courses in 1906, becomes Assistant State Director of Extension in 1916, and also serves as state 4-H leader, retiring from both positions in 1952.

1906. O. H. Benson becomes Wright County Superintendent of Schools, after serving as principal of the Goldfield schools from 1902 to 1905. In 1906 he conceives the clover as the emblem for Boys and Girls Clubs. Originally three leaves stand for head, heart, and hand. Later a fourth leaf is added; the fourth H stands for health.

1906. Jessie Field becomes Page County Superintendent of the 130 county schools. She buys a horse and buggy, drives herself, and visits every school three times during the year, spreading her Boys and Girls Clubs.

1909. Jessie Field helps Page County put together a County Collective Corn Exhibit for the International Corn Show at Omaha, Nebraska. Page County takes first prize, a red Brush one-cylinder automobile which the boys and girls decide Miss Field should drive so she can visit more often.

1901-1909 * 1910-1919 * 1920s * 1930s * 1940s *
* 1950s * 1960s-1970s * 1980 to today *

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Last update: July 15, 2002