July 11-13, 2008, Alton, Iowa, celebrated 125 years of history. Members of the Floyd Venturers 4-H club were a part of the parade.
Hisotry of 4-H in Sioux County Townships
Floyd – Hospers
East Orange – Granville
Nassau – Alton
History of 4-H in Sioux County Townships
Organized clubs began in 1919 in Sioux County by George Dunlap, then county agent. Charter members of that club called it the Sioux County Pig Club. Soon there were also the Baby Beef Club and the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs.
The earliest documentation found from 1928-29 lists 10 organized clubs in the following townships – Sheridan, Grant, Garfield-Plato, Lynn, Eagle, Center, Holland, Washington, Reading and Sherman.
Home Furnishings Report of 1926-27: Garfield – Plato joint 4-H Girls’ Club of 1926-27 was led by Mrs. F. C. Dierks and Miss Amelia Muelenthaler.
The only club at that time (1926-27) with a name other than their township name was “The Faithful Few” club of Lynn Township with Mrs. Fred Kruse as chairman.
4-H in Sioux County “took off” in the 20’s and 30’s.
Floyd
1939 – Newkirk Never Fails
1945 – Newkirk Farmerettes
1945 – Newkirk Boosters
1950 – Hospers Eagles
1950 – Newkirk Hustlers
1964– Floyd Falcons
East Orange
1931 – Happy Helpers
1931 East Orange Township – East Orange 4-H, aka Happy Helpers, Miss Viola Minten, Leader
1940 – Future Farmers 4-H
1952 – Hilltoppers
1935 East Orange – Happy Helpers, Mrs. M. Streff, Leader
1935 Holland – Nassau – Eager
1940 Holland-Nassau – Progressive Farmers 4-H Club, Geo. Van Roekel
East Orange – Future Farmers 4-H Club, M. M. Streff, Joe Hansen
The peak years for 4-H club membership came in the 1950’s – early 1960’s, with 1958 the year for record membership enrollment. There were 445 girls enrolled and 281 boys enrolled for a total membership of 726.
Since that time, enrollment began to slip by about 1% each year. 4-H enrollment in Sioux County in 2008 is 361 with fifteen clubs.
Until about 15 – 20 years ago clubs were formed as Ag Clubs and Home Ec clubs and concentrated on skills in those general areas. 4-H’ers project areas now are “more than you can imagine.” In Sioux County most 4-H clubs that are open to all project areas, but there are also shooting sports clubs, both archery and air rifle; and a skateboarding and roller blading club.
Floyd Venturers is a coed club - Combined clubs of Floyd Falcons and Country Classics in 2003-2004 and Valley Volunteers 4-H clubs were added in 2006.