EARLY BEGINNINGS OF 4-H

4-H club work, as we know it today, began around 1900 as a means of reaching Dad and Mom with improved farm and home practices. It was based upon a sound assumption that if new ideas and information were instilled in the minds of the youngsters, they would in turn convince their parents to try these innovations.

The second primary reason why 4-H club work developed was due to the fact that schools did not meet all of the needs and interests of the rural youth.

The first organized 4-H work was started by a number of county superintendents of schools. The boys and girls attending country schools were organized into small clubs covering a single topic such as beef, corn, garden, canning, bread making, etc.

Mr. O.H. Benson of Wright County, Iowa, county superintendent of schools, was one of the earliest to conceive the club work idea and in 1907 he presented the 4-leaf clover to his boys' and girls' clubs as an emblem of their organization. Similar groups had also been organized in Illinois, Ohio, Texas, Georgia, and elsewhere.
 
 

Jasper County has a strong 4-H heritage. "AIMS" (as taken from an early 4-H newspaper article, probably 1927.) "The 4-H program in Jasper County purpose is to teach them (boys and girls) sportsmanship, loyalty, self-expression and cooperation, as well as to train them in their various projects. …It develops community spirit and teaches our young folk a better standard of production and home management."
The first county club agent in Jasper County was W. O Abraham. Ray Laflin was the county agent. "The first organized club work began in 1921" was the newspaper clipping headline. The program struggled until 1925 when a Baby Beef Club was formed for two members. In the same year four Bread Clubs were started. In 1926 a Poland China Club was started with 26 members. Poultry and canning clubs were also started. There were 72 members in six canning clubs.
The history tells us that "the most notable event of 1927 was the formation of a 4-H Association composed of all club members in the county… Under the leadership of the county agent, Ray D. Laflin and County Club Agent D.M. Hall, the County Club Association sprang into existence. …The clubs of the county met once each month for the organization meeting, a program led by a club, and then a social time. This County Association was the first in the state, …but other counties have organized similar associations."
By 1928 the records show that Jasper County youth were competing at the National 4-H Club Congress in Chicago. That same year the history shows that a best club was selected based on the members records. Recordkeeping continues today to be an important part of 4-H.
Through the years there have been many changes in Iowa State University Extension. Until 1951, Iowa State University Extension was closely associated with Farm Bureau in Iowa and many other states. The program was targeted at rural residents of the counties. Beginning in 1951 when the structure was changed, an Extension Council member was selected from each township to serve on the decision-making board and coordinating with Iowa State University on the hiring of staff, salaries and operating policy. The Extension Council members operate the county office with property taxes requested each year. The structure was again changed in 1993 when the first Extension Council members were elected for four year terms on the General Election ballot. Now nine members represent the residents of Jasper County. Iowa State University Extension programs to reach all residents of Jasper County.
4-H continues to be an integral part of the Iowa State University Extension in Jasper County in 1999. The aim cited in the 1927 article has changed very little as boys and girls participate in hands-on learning in the same clubs. The mission of 4-H now is stated as " ISU Extension to Youth and 4-H creates supportive environments for culturally diverse youth and adults to reach their full potential.
To support this mission ISU Extension and the county staff will:

1) Design all program efforts using research-based knowledge from Iowa State University and the land grant university system.

2) Provide formal and non-formal community-focused experiential learning

3) Develop skills that benefit youth throughout life. We emphasize seven skills. They are: developing a positive self concept, communication skills, decision making skills, learning how to learn, ability to cope with change, citizenship skills, and leadership skills

4) Build internal and external partnerships for programming and funding

5) Actively involve youth as partners

6) Foster leadership and volunteerism in youth and adults

7) Help create community conditions that encourage healthy environments for families and youth
Capable, competent, and caring citizens will result when we accomplish this mission."

Projects continue to be the tools we use for learning life skills in the positive self concept, communication skills, decision making skills, learning how to learn, ability to cope with change, citizenship skills, and leadership skills. These skills will be important wherever life leads the Jasper County youth.
We salute the adults in Jasper County who give their time and skills to assist young people in learning the skills to make them capable, competent and caring citizens today and tomorrow. We also thank those we provide financial support so that youth, and their families, can have assistance to participate in those special learning experiences. The establishment of the Jasper County 4-H Geisler-Penquite Endowment Foundation makes these opportunities more reachable for families. 
  
  NAME YEAR NOTES
  Historical Society-look in farm bureau files

4-H Hustlers 1938

Amboy Champs 1940

Atomic Starlets  October 25, 1947 Tradition-Mom's TeaLots of Floats-Consistent in Dress Revue, Better GroomKaren Bunse 72 VPLinda Jontz 72 Sec.Donna Schnell Sec.Julie Smith Co-Council Pres 77Mrs. Ken (Jean) Schnell 73 alumni (792-1583)

Bethel Belles 1943

Bethel Sunshine 1938

Betsy Ross Club  1943

Blue Ribbon Snatchers 1940

Buena Vista Booster 1940 merged with Wildcat Go-Getters to become Wildcat Boosters in 1953

Buena Vista Doers 1943

Busy Bees 1938

Cherry Creek Challengers 1965

Cloverettes 1957

Colfax Colleens 1960

County Line Blue Belles 1957

Friendly 49's 1949

Galesbury Go-Getters 1960

Glendale Go-Getters 1944

Glendale Livestock 1940 
 

Happy Go-Lucky 1925 Oldest Member Mrs. A.J. Pink

Happy Hearts 1943

Happy Home Helpers 1938

Hickory Grove Ramblers 1944

Hickory Grove Sunbeams 1947

Homemakers 1938-1997 Kari Snellar served as leader in the club’s last years.

Hominy Ridge Independents 1944

Honey Do's 1960

Hustlerettes 1969

Indian Creek Hustlers 1944

Jasper Rockettes 1969

jJolly Jasperettes October 13, 1962 Mrs. Gilbert VandWall (Leader) and Mrs. Eysink (Leader)

Kellogg Kloverettes 1953

Killduff Boosters 1932 Carroll Rohrdanz (Alumnus)

Killduff Hotshots  Ken Wilburn

Lively Lynnettes 1955

Lucky 14 1960

Lucky Lassies 1943

Lucky Lassies 1956

Lucky-in-Betweens 1969

Lynn Grove Hustlers  Ernest Eysink and Jr. VerPleog wrote for Centennial Book (Aug. 67) At some point

Richland-Go-Getters merged with them

Lynn Grove Lassies 1947

Lynn Grove Rockets 1950

Malaka North Star 1944

Malaka Northern Lights 1947

Malaka Pals 1943

Marilaka Maids 1962

Marilaka Stars 1950

Mariposa Blue Birds 1938

Mariposa Rockets 1958

Martha Washington 1938

Merry Mixers 1938

Mingo 4-H Belles 1964

Mingo Go-Getters 1945

Mingo Livestock 1940

Mingo Merry Maids 1938

Modern Maids 1934 40-Leslie Doak

Modern Makers

Mound Prairie Future Farmers 1944

Newburg Happy Hearts 1938

Newton Challengers 1973

Newton Club 1960

North Star 1938

OWG 1939

Palo Alto Pals 1949

Palo Alto Rangers 1950

Peppy Pals 1951

Pleasant View Pals 1938

Poweshiek Gals 1971

Poweshiek Pals 1953

Prairie Bells 1951

Prairie City Champs  Harlan Roorda

Prairie City Champs 1940

R.C. Climbers  1947

Reasnor Homemakers 1949

Reasnor Ribbon Winners 1947

Richgrove Laughing Lassies 1969

Richland Go-Getters 1944 Merged with Lynn Grove Hustlers

Ridge Road Ramblers 1945

Riverside Livestock 1940

Riverside Livestock 1940

Rock Creek Families 1944

Rock Creek Skylights 1950

RuchvilleJr. Farmers 1955

Rushville Rosettes 1956

Sherman Sunbeams 1948

Sherman Tigers 1950

Southern Hustlers 1937 Ernest Wagner 259-2690Bernard Zerley 259-258658 Mary Livingston Sec.59 Don Robison Sec.60
John Livingston VP

Starlight Queens 1956

Sunbonnet Sues  1963

Sunny Gals 1963

Sunshine Club 1938

TNT 4-H Club 1960

Town Belles 1960

Victory Maids 1944

Walnut Lassies 1949

Walnut Ridge Lassies 1949

Washington Champs 1968

Washington Champs 1945

Wild Rose 1938

Wilcat Go-Getters  Laverne Nearmeyer? name became Boosters?

Wildcat Boosters 1958

Willing Workers 1938

Wittenburg Winners 1941

Workers of Success 1938

Spotted Poland China Pig Club  November 1927 43 members

Jasper Green Team