Sheila G. Kelley

What is old as dirt yet still new? Colorado 4-H.

Colorado 4-H turns 100 years old this year and, although that makes it pretty old, innovative projects and activities keep it continually new.

According to the National 4-H Headquarters, 4-H didn’t start at any one time or place. It is the result of the work of many people in different parts of the United States who were concerned about young people. From its conception, 4-H tied both public and private resource together for the purpose of helping young people.

When Congress created the Cooperative Extension Service at USDA in 1914, it included boys’ and girls’ club work. This soon became known as 4-H clubs — Head, Heart, Hands and Health.

Two forces generated the idea of 4-H. One was the concern for education in rural areas. The second was a need for advancing the new agricultural technologies produced by research at experiment stations of the land-grant university system.

The farming community did not readily accept these new ideas and techniques. So, what’s the best way to change adult’s ways of thinking? Teach it to their children.

The transfer of hybrid corn technology to the general corn producing sector of agriculture was made possible by first introducing the hybrid seed to 4-Hers. This was the first noted success story in a long line of many in which the 4-H program was the conduit for the education and transfer of technology to the general public.

Today, after more than 100 years, 4-H is the largest out-of-school youth program in the United States — both in rural and urban areas throughout the country. It offers youth opportunities in communications, leadership, career development, animal and plant science, home improvement and technology.

With ever-changing world issues, new projects such as the Power of Wind, Geospatial and Robotics will help Colorado 4-H continue to grow and develop with the head, heart, hands and health of today’s youth.

If your child is interested in joining 4-H, or you would like further information, contact either Elbert County Extension office at 303-621-3162 or 719-541-2361. 4-H is a cooperative effort between CSU Extension and Elbert County.