| Our name: 4-H There are two theories on how 4-H received it's name. The first is that it was taken from the end of Rudyard Kipling's "The Children's Song", which reads 'O, Motherland, we pledge to thee, Head, Heart, and Hand through the years to be.' The second theory is that it was taken from W.M. Beardshear (president of Northern Educational Association of Iowa in 1902), who had said 'harmoniously building up the character of the children, not by means of the three R's, but rather by the means of the three H's - Head, Heart, and Hand, and making them fit for self government, self control, self help; a living, thinking, being.' The forth H was added in 1911. |
| Our logo: Four Leaf Clover Our logo, the clover leaf, first unofficially appeared in Iowa State in 1909 as an award. It became 4-H's (then known as the Boys and Girls Club) offcial logo in 1911. |
| I pledge: My HEAD to clearer thinking, My HEART to greater loyalty, My HANDS for larger service, My HEALTH for better living, For my club, my community, and my country The 4-H pledge was written by Otis Hall of the Kansas State College of Agriculture, and was adopted by the Canadian 4-H program in 1952. |
| 'Learn to do by Doing' The Canadian 4-H motto was modernized in 1954 from 'to instruct oneself is to enrich one's life' (submitted by Mrs. Bertha Doucet of New Brunswick in 1930) |
| History of 4-H Summary The earliest recognized "rural boys and girls clubs" in Canada began in Roland, Manitoba in 1913, with youth growing field crops and grain. "Boys and Girls Clubs" started in BC in 1914, evolving through the 20's and 30's focusing on livestock raising, husbandry, and judging. The name "4-H", and the distinct Canadian4-H emblem, were officially adopted in 1951 by the Canadian 4-H council for use throughout Canada. The emphasis in the 50's was on volunteer leader training to teach basic skills. In the 60's "youth development" evolved focusing on leadership, communication skills and personal development; with the recognition that the "4-H project was only the vehicle to development of the individual." The 70's and 80's saw expansion into non livestock projects, reflective of the expanding non farm enrollment, and increased regional, provincial and national program oppertunities for both youth and volunteers. 4-H in the 90's focused on the empowerment of youth and volunteers, 4-H identity, increased involvement of agri-business sponsors, 4-H alumni and partnerships to ensure a strong and growing 4-H program into the 21st century. *4-H in BC celebrated its 80th anniversary (1914-1994) in 1994. |
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