|
 We
began our journey in Iowa and Ohio where in 1902 local school
educators connected with their respective agricultural colleges
to start a program to teach young farm children the basics
of home and farm management. Michigan
got on board six years later (in 1908) and started boys corn
clubs in Muskegon and Mason Counties.
For
the next 30 years, the 4-H movement gave birth to the clover
as corn, sheep, poultry, canning, cake baking and livestock
clubs were started across the country. These clubs would
eventually link to the National Cooperative Extension Service
system, which was formed in 1914 under the leadership of
the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
GO
THERE NOW!
 The
4-H movement experienced growth that resulted in one million
youth members nationally by 1936. In Michigan, that growth
was marked by our state having Michigan 4-H youth ambassadors
as part of the first International Farm Youth Exchange (IFYE)
delegation.
In
1952, when 4-H reached 50 years old, Michigan made a commitment
to expand and stabilize its income and increase the program
and training support of 4-H volunteers with the organization
of the Michigan 4-H Foundation. The
foundation was built with a primary mission of supporting
the Michigan 4-H volunteer system. Foundation organizers
soon launched a campaign to build what was to become the
nation's first volunteer training center.
GO
THERE NOW!
 While
America began to wrestle with the significance of its diverse
population, 4-H in Michigan took note and launched programs
to make 4-H participation more accessible to Michigan youth
regardless of ability, race or geography. The 4-H urban center
opened on Detroit's east side, creating a unique model for
4-H urban youth development.
The
Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, which included
a 4-H youth component, offered tips and recipes for improving
household diets in Michigan's 13 largest urban communities.
Michigan
helped to make food and nutrition education both hip and
fun by creating Mulligan Stew, a nutrition education curriculum
that used popular music and television to get kids eating
healthier diets.
Just
as important as building the geographic and racial diversity
of 4-H was the movement in communities to ensure that young
people and adults with disabilities also found a place in
4-H for fun and learning. The 4-H therapeutic riding program
called "Horseback Riding for Handicappers" (or
"HRH" for short) was launched and more opportunities
created to ensure that kids with and without disabilities
had opportunities to learn together.
GO
THERE NOW!
 Michigan
"Wheeled into the '80s" by hosting the 1980 conference
of the National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Agents
(NAE4-HA) in Detroit showcasing the 4-H urban center and other
Michigan program innovations.
Michigan
4-H became environmentally friendly with the Earth-sheltered
house at Kettunen Center and zoomed into the future with
a major shift in focus to developing youth instead of projects.
Programs and learning materials were developed that increased
career aspirations for 4-H'ers and focused on the different
life stages of a child's development.
The
Michigan 4-H Foundation raised money to expand global experiences
for young people, to build a garden made just for children,
and to renovate and add new facilities to the state's volunteer
training center. More importantly, Michigan 4-H Youth Development
realized it was just hitting its stride. It is now grounded
in the research and knowledge base that defines positive
youth development and is constantly looking at ways to help
young people explore, experience and achieve.
GO
THERE NOW!
INTRO.
> 1902-29 > 1930-59
> 1960-1979 > 1980-2002
>
Copyright
© 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 Michigan State University
Last Updated: September 6, 2007
Last Reviewed: August 7, 2002
|
Guide
to Michigan 4-H
