The History of 4-H in Nevada

The History of 4-H in Nevada

Smith-Lever Act, 1914 • Federal legislation establishes Extension as a federal-state-county partnership, administered through land-grant institutions

Smith-Lever Act, 1914 • Mission: To diffuse useful and practical information in agriculture and home economics

Extension’s 1st Employee • In 1914, Norma Davis begins homemaking and 4-H youth education in Nevada, clocking more than 6,000 miles her first year!

Boys and Girls Clubs • When he was young, longtime Elko agent Mark Menke and his brother Blaine exhibited blue-ribbon 4-H poultry at the first State Fair in Fallon in 1914

Boys and Girls Clubs • The first yearly reports were recorded in 1915 • Nevada had 829 4-H members, and 169 completed their projects

Boys and Girls Clubs • By 1916, the four-leaf clover was well known • Ag agents and home demonstrators worked in Lyon, Washoe, Elko, Douglas and Clark Counties

1st Ag Agent in the North • Joe Wilson (far left) serves in Central and Northern Nevada until 1946 • He conducts youth projects in cattle, horses and sheep that attract attention throughout the West

1st Ag Agent in the South • In 1916, Carl Vinson begins youth, horticulture and agriculture education, supervising boys and girls clubs, horticulture work and farm demonstrations

4-H During World War I • Nine counties have ag, home demonstration or county club agents, emphasizing increased food production

4-H During World War I • Youth grow fresh fruits and vegetables for canning and to improve health in the home

4-H During World War I • Extension agents reach one of every five people in Nevada with youth and livestock programs, and education to improve sanitary conditions in the home

Farm Bureau Begins Work With Extension • Partnership with the Farm Bureau was formalized by 1919 Nevada Legislature, which adopted the one-mil tax

4-H During the Twenties • Youth enrollment soars as Extension education enters public schools • County agents devote a third of their time to Boys and Girls Club work

4-H During the Twenties • 4-H youth were active in livestock, clothing and home economics • Ag production expands cattle to 500,000, and sheep numbers reach 1,000,000

4-H During the Twenties • Many children were dangerously underweight… education focuses on good nutrition for youth

4-H in the Thirties • During the Depression, home demonstration agents step up efforts to improve nutrition in low-income families • 4-H work begins to include leadership opportunities and community service

4-H in the Thirties • 4-H numbers were down, but many youth sold their animals at California livestock shows, bringing home thousands of dollars to help local economies

Annual 4-H Camp • 4-H youth first held camp at the University farm south of Reno, then later on campus in Mackay Field • A third of the state’s members attended, each paying $2.50!

Permanent 4-H Camp • Tom Buckman, Extension Assistant Director, negotiates with the Park and Rabe families -- Douglas County property owners -- and the Farm Bureau for a 4-H Camp

Permanent 4-H Camp • In 1938, this valuable strip of land (shown here in yellow) became University property and a permanent camp site at Lake Tahoe

4-H Camp at Lake Tahoe

First Junior Livestock Show • In 1939, the 1st annual Nevada Junior Livestock Show was held in Reno

4-H During World War II • Extension named official agency of education for farmers and homemakers • Program priorities shift toward national security

Education During World War II • 4-H Clubs, such as this one in Douglas County, join in the war effort…One club brought in enough scrap iron to build four tanks for the Armed Forces!

4-H During World War II • The 1942 4-H newsletter reported on the wartime efforts • Churchill County “Happy Harmonizers” collected materials, and clubs prepared members to serve their country

4-H During World War II • In the “Food for Freedom” effort, victory gardens increased by 50% • 4-H club projects are related to food production and conservation

Post-War 4-H • The post-war period saw growth in 4-H membership and agriculture production

Post-War 4-H • Agronomist Kirk Day serves in Humboldt County from 1947 to 1976 • He brings electricity to ranchers, upgrades irrigation systems, promotes seed production and vaccinates calves

4-H in Humboldt County • Kirk Day starts 4-H clubs in Paradise Valley, Winnemucca, McDermitt and Orovada

4-H in the Fifties • Douglas County’s Marlana Neddenriep, exhibits the Grand Champion Beef at the California Hereford Show in 1952

4-H in the Fifties • Ferrin Bunker serves as Las Vegas agent from 1958 to 1976 • As a former 4-H member, he develops the youth programs, as well as horticulture and family education

4-H in the Sixties • Educator Gail Munk serves Extension for three decades • He emphasizes youth and agriculture programs, including alfalfa seed varieties for export

4-H in the Seventies 4-H membership continues to grow in the 70’s, and 4-H Camp was an opportunity to develop leadership

4-H in the Eighties • The 1982 Western Region 4-H Leadership Conference was an opportunity for education and some fun too

4-H in the Eighties • Livestock Specialist Ron Torell educates youth and ranchers to produce a healthier product for consumers

4-H in the Eighties • 4-H Stayin’ Alive, an urban Las Vegas latchkey program, has more than 3,500 youth participants

4-H in the Eighties • Youth educator Marilyn Smith (left), with longtime rural administrator Gerri Lunsford, begins to reach out to youth at risk

4-H in the Eighties • Marilyn Smith develops the 1st Project MAGIC juvenile offender program in Elko in 1989

4-H in the Nineties • In 1993, the University Board of Regents recognizes Cooperative Extension as a separate college

4-H in the Nineties • In 1998, Karen Hinton is appointed Dean and Director of University of Nevada Cooperative Extension • Extension begins to operate as a separate college

4-H in the 21st Century • Cooperative Extension’s 4-H youth programs help the university fulfill its traditional land-grant mission of outreach to communities

4-H in the 21st Century • The 4-H After School Club helps Washoe County youth learn skills that will last a lifetime

4-H in the 21st Century • 4-H club activities are diverse – youth shown here in Las Vegas separate the DNA of an onion as part of the Field of Genes curriculum

4-H in the 21st Century • Youth development extends to families as well • Family education includes parenting, anger management and literacy skills

4-H in the 21st Century • 4-H animal projects are alive and well, with youth learning responsibility and speaking skills as they present and show their projects

4-H in the 21st Century • Through the Centennial activities, Nevada youth decided their future was to get involved in the political process and community service

Pathways to the Future • 4-H remains vital as Cooperative Extension continues to prepare youth for the challenges of the future

The History of 4-H in Nevada