4-H’ers Honor Smith and Lever During Second World War

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During this centennial year of the passage of the Smith-Lever Act creating the Cooperative Extension Service, it is appropriate to recall one 4-H activity recognizing the creation of that legislation from 70 years ago.

Midway in the Second World War, the Extension Service in cooperation with the Maritime Commission worked out a unique incentive to 4-H achievement on the home front. It was proposed that states be permitted to name Liberty ships after a 4-H or Extension pioneer as a reward for bond sales and exceptional service in food production and conservation.
Liberty ships were the cargo carriers of the war. They were standardized freighters, 441 feet long and of 10,800 tons capacity. They carried food stuffs and war materials abroad, and brought back such scarce items as chrome ore, balsa wood, copper, rubber, ivory, manganese, jute, burlap, hides, tea, coffee and quinine. They cost about $2 million apiece and this was the goal of the 4-H bond sales.

In response to the “Name-A-Ship” campaign, the state 4-H youth intensified their war activities. Georgia club members raised almost $10 million in a war bond campaign and produced in one season enough food to fill a 10,000 ton ship. Their ship was launched and duly named “Hoke Smith,” in honor of the Senator who, as member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry, co-sponsored the Smith-Lever Act.
In South Carolina, similar efforts resulted in the launching of the “A. Frank Lever,” thus commemorating on the high seas the other congressional sponsor of the original Extension Act, Representative Asbury Francis Lever, a member of the House Committee on Agriculture.

In all, 40 ships were christened in these 4-H “Name-A-Ship” campaigns. In the cabin of each ship was placed a plaque stating that the ship was named by 4-H club members of the state, and near the plaque was a history of the man for whom the ship was named, written on parchment and permanently mounted under glass.

World War II Liberty ship SS Jeremiah O'Brien at Pier 45, Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco, California

World War II Liberty ship SS Jeremiah O’Brien at Pier 45, Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco, California

SS John W. Brown on the Great Lakes in 2000

SS John W. Brown on the Great Lakes in 2000

History Preservation Newsletter
July/August 2014

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UGH! August in Washington, DC, is miserable. If it weren’t for our loyal readers (probably in air-conditioned offices), we’d be at the beach. Not totally true: 4-H is always “non-miserable” and there are some real success stories in this month’s Newsletter. Read on.

We often wonder, is the preservation of 4-H history taking hold at state and local levels, as much as we’d like to think it is at the national level? Two stories this month illustrate how national agendas and resources have been adapted and applied independently in a state and a county initiative:

  • How does a new Extension hire use the resources of the National 4-H History Preservation Program? So many resources to draw from; where to go first? A WV Extension staffer shares his personal experience; and
  • 4-H History is best preserved at the local level and Polk County Missouri 4-H’ers grab that challenge and run with it. They’re implementing “Voices of 4-H History” the way the program was envisioned: to celebrate local alumni and highlight county history!

During World War II, 40 US Liberty (cargo) ships were named by 4-H members who raised money through war bonds to commission the ships and stock them with food and supplies for our troops. Two ships were named after which Congressmen who had a significant impact on 4-H and Extension? Answer inside. Do you know if your state named a liberty ship or ships? If so, whose name did they carry. Let us know at: Info@4-HHistoryPreservation.com.

All too often in history, sadly, 4-H was portrayed as only a white kid’s activity; indeed, Extension struggled long and hard to make the program relevant to all ethnic groups. Programs for Native American 4-H’ers have, in many ways, served as models to tailor programming to fit cultural realities. The 1943 Oklahoma Indian story here documents such a success.

The 2014 FilmFest 4-H featured five youth developed films about 4-H History. Was your state represented this year? Read about some of the neat film-related workshops conducted this time.

You’ll note two articles above written by state/local Extension staff. We want to receive more! Tell us how you use the resources we represent, and let us know your local stories. You are, after all, the history of 4-H!

Contact info@4-HHistoryPreservation.com , and enjoy this issue.

“Their Fightin’est Indian 4-H Club Called the Most Patriotic Outfit in Oklahoma”

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Riverside Indian 4-H Club members rehearsing for one of their dance numbers. L. to R. Beatrice Tahmalikera, Billie Tonpahhote, Lucy White Horse, Lee Monett Tsatoke, Myrtle Ann Beaver and David Joinkeen. (National 4-H News June 1943)

Riverside Indian 4-H Club members rehearsing for one of their dance numbers. L. to R. Beatrice Tahmalikera, Billie Tonpahhote, Lucy White Horse, Lee Monett Tsatoke, Myrtle Ann Beaver and David Joinkeen. (National 4-H News June 1943)

A new section on Native America 4-H History has been added to the National 4-H History Preservation website. It is located in the National 4-H History section at: http://4-HHistoryPresevation.com  The section includes a number of feature stories out of National 4-H News. The story with the above title was in the June 1943 issue… during World War II, over 70 years ago.

“One fourth of the 52,000 youth enrolled Oklahoma 4-H clubs in 1943, according to State Leader Paul G. Adams, are Indian youth. Some of the finest state winners Oklahoma has sent to the National 4-H Congress have been of Indian descent, he adds. “Win the war now, smoke the peace pipe later,” is the slogan of 4-H Indians in the Sooner State.

“According to county agent L. I. Bennett, they’re the hardest fighting group of warriors in the country. All members of the Indian Riverside 4-H Club — the largest all-Indian 4-H Club in the state — with their 4-H club projects, they’re helping Uncle Sam furnish food to the boys on the firing lines. They have a keen interest in seeing that food gets to the front because 18 Club members of their fellow tribesmen have joined the Army, Navy or Marines since Pearl Harbor. “You’ll never find a more patriotic group of young people than these 4-H club Indians,” contends Bennett. As the older boys join the armed forces their projects have been taken over by younger members of the club and carried to completion. The girls can foods produced in the club’s Victory gardens.

“In addition to growing food, members of the Riverside Club are just as active in other 4-H project areas. At the State Round-Up Andew Pahmahmie placed in the blue ribbon class in the State 4-H Style Dress Revue contest. Bernice Paddlety and Alva Mae Tapedo won a gold medal with their dairy demonstration at the State contest, Ruth Sardongei and Alva Walker won trips to the American Royal at Kansas City for placing first with their paint demonstration, and Luke Tainpeah and Tom Kauley were blue ribbon winners in the poultry demonstration contest. At the Caddo County Fair 53 of the clubs girls made exhibits, winning a total of 82 ribbons.

“‘Thanks for America’ was the main theme of their Achievement Week last December to climax the year’s work. Instead of holding an achievement banquet as many clubs stage at the end of the year, this Indian Club celebrated their 1943 achievements in typical Indian style by setting aside an entire week for their achievement program. Each of the five daily programs staged were centered around one of the “H’s” in the club emblem, and one for home. One day the training of the head was stressed, another day, the heart, then the hands, health, and then the home.”

We welcome additional stories about Native American 4-H clubs, projects and activities as well as printed articles, reports, leaflets and books on the topic. Please write: info@4-HHistoryPreservation.com

Can You Identify… Joint Staffs

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This picture is the only photo existing of the joint staffs of the National 4-H Service Committee and National 4-H Foundation during their merger as National 4-H Council. It was taken at the National 4-H Center (which was being remodeled) in 1976, 48 years ago, a year before merger. Can you help us identify the “blanks in the photo?

L. to R. Seated: Louise Kilpatrick, Margo Tyler, Harold Sweet, Mollie Hardin, Gary Deverman, Mary Bedford, Melvin Thompson, Nancy Aiken Varian, Gwen El Sawi, Lois Howard.

L. to R. Standing: – ________, James Veeder, Francis Pressley, Bonnie (Beck) Sarkett, Jack Seibert, Kathleen Flom, John Pederson, ________, Larry Hancock, Charles Freeman, Larry Krug, James Harden, Wayne Bath, Les Nichols, Joseph McAuliffe, ________, Marsha Midgley, Grant Shrum, ________, Kenneth Anderson, Pat Brown, Ray Crabbs, Diana Williams, Don Henderson.

If you can identify any of the “unknowns” please send their names and who they were standing beside to: Info@4-HHistoryPreservation.com

Please note: Not all current staff at the time are shown in this photo.

Identify_Joint_Staff

Where Our 4-H History is Kept

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There are many locations which contain significant archival collections of 4-H history — records, artifacts and other historical memorabilia. They include 4-H history museums and websites, and collections housed at national repositories, state and university libraries and even some local archives. There are 4-H program and event records and photos and the personal papers of some of our 4-H pioneers and leaders.

One of the projects of the National 4-H History Preservation Program is that of developing a database which provides information on where to locate these various repositories.

We currently have over 50 repositories listed in the National 4-H Repositories section of our history website… but, we know there are many more “out there.”

Visit: http://4-HHistoryPreservation.com/Repros_National.asp to view the listing and contents, or check out the locator map. If your state 4-H records and archives are not listed, or a state 4-H museum, please let us know. If you know of special collections or papers of 4-H pioneers or state 4-H leaders that are housed in a library or archive, we would like to know this, too. Contact us at: Info@4-HHistoryPreservation.com Repository_Map

4-H Brand Products from the Farm Highly Promoted a Century Ago

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Almost from the creation of the term “4-H” — and before the use of the 4-H emblem — enterprising young girls and boys were using the term “4-H Brand” as a “stamp of quality” on their home-grown farm products resulting from 4-H projects, kind of like the “Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.”

Today the 4-H emblem is a federally protected mark that can’t be used on products without approval. The 4-H emblem was patented in 1924, and a 1939 law protects the use of both the 4-H name and the emblem.

Early 4-H’ers were very keen on management and marketing of their projects. Accurate record-keeping and accountability was stressed by the leaders and county extension agents. Creative marketing was often the key to success. Many members devised ideas on how to market their products that even their parents or leaders had not thought about.

Whether it was vegetables from the 4-H garden, fruit from the orchard, eggs from the hen house, dairy products from the barn or honey from the 4-H bee hive, creative marketing was important to the young boys and girls.

  4-H_Story_Pg_102_Corn4-H_Story_Pg_102_Potatoes

A 1914 directive out of USDA’s Washington headquarters office states: “In connection with the boys’ and girls’ club work the 4-H brand canning labels, seed corn labels and seed potato labels are of especial importance in encouraging the club members to standardize their products. State, district and county men who are interested in the 4-H brand labels and wish samples of them can secure the same by writing the office of farm management, says O. H. Benson, government specialist, in charge of club work.”

A new section,4-H Brand Products from the Farm, has just been added to the national 4-H history preservation website on 4-H brand products. To view the section to go:

http://4-HHistoryPreservation.com/History/Logo_Farm/

Cherry Pies and 4-H History

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Cherry_Pie Food and nutrition projects were a mainstay of early 4-H. After all, Health was one of the four H’s represented in the organization’s name and emblem that were adopted back in 1911.

Articles about food and nutrition projects and programs were plentiful in many editions of the National 4-H News magazine. The magazine carried stories about 4-H members involved in canning, dairy, food preservation, gardening and meal preparation.

The April 1939 issue carries a feature on Ruby Hudson, a 16-year old Missouri 4-H member who had recently been selected the winner of the annual cherry pie baking contest held in Chicago. The annual contest was held to celebrate George Washington’s birthday in February (his 207th in 1939), and was sponsored by the National Cherry Week Committee and the “Hatchet Club.” Ruby took her first train ride for her visit to Chicago for the contest accompanied by her county home demonstration agent. As the contest winner, Ruby received a check for $100 and a sight-seeing trip to Washington,DC for herself and her chaperone.

First Phase of National Calendar Art Project Accomplished

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Twenty-one pieces of the 35 original National Calendar Program paintings in the National 4-H Council’s collection needed repair, cleaning, re-framing, varnishing or sometimes all of these. These paintings represent nearly 50 years of 4-H history through their contemporary illustrations from the respective time periods. They also represent the work of nine recognized artists who produced these annual paintings for advertising purposes at the local level. Many of the pieces were able to be localized to the county where they were sold through signage on buildings, buses or actual signs which were a part of the illustration.Our_County

The following donors made the restoration of these art pieces possible: Sue and Dave Benedetti, Leann Blum, Gary Deverman, IBM Corporation, James Lindquist, Ronald Paasch, David Pace, Phil Upsilon Omicron (DC Area Alumni Chapter), Dallas Smith, Mel Thompson, Kendra Wells, Bernadine Wiesen, Nancy Wills, Eleanor L. Wilson, and Helene Zueg. Our most sincere thanks go to all of them.

The next phase of this calendar art project is to make them available for people to view; to preserve them and keep them safe from deterioration by light, abrasion, and dirt. That part of the project will entail putting each painting behind protective Plexiglas, and will be undertaken as soon as we are able to raise the necessary $12,000 for the individually fabricated coverings. This will protect the original Calendar and Poster art currently on display in the Heritage Hallway at the National 4-H Center.

Will you help us meet the $12,000 goal to complete the preservation process? Go to the 4-H history preservation website: http://4-HHistoryPreservation.com and “click” on the “DONATE” button in the left-hand menu bar.

Self-Guided 4-H History Tour Initiated

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The National 4-H History Preservation Leadership Team introduced a self-guided history tour of the National 4-H Youth Conference Center during National 4-H Conference this past spring. This is the first step of a planned Center-wide tour to cover many places of interest and items of National 4-H Historical value at the Center, and was conducted in the lobby area of J. C. Penney Hall.

Six sites were picked because of their proximity and because they include the history from the day that the National 4-H Center was opened by President Eisenhower up to and including an exhibit of national artifacts from the 10 most recent years of 4-H history. People wishing to take the tour need only a scanning device such as a smart phone or an electronic tablet to participate. Each item on the tour includes a marker containing a very brief description of the historical area or artifact and a QR code which leads the viewers to more detailed information.

QR_Program

To make the experience more enticing and rewarding for the Conference visitors, the History Team devised a treasure hunt. Conference delegates were given a map designating the areas where the QR codes were located along with a question to be answered on each place, item or the person featured in that part of 4-H History. The participants needed to read a small amount of information on their device in order to answer the questions. To make the experience more gratifying, the 4-H Center Gift Shop offered a 10% discount to all who found the answers to all six questions.

The areas/items currently on the tour are: Gertrude Warren’s Portrait, the J. C. Penney Mural, the Contemporary 4-H Exhibit, Massachusetts Foyer, Noble Breakfront and Danforth Courtyard.

The History Team hopes to enlarge the tour to include the timeline mural and historic items in J. C. Penney Hall’s first floor Kathleen’s Corner along with the artwork in the Heritage Hallway between Aiton Auditorium and the Schruben Board Room on the lower level as the project moves forward over the coming months.

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Help Preserve 4-H History: The Foundation of Our Future.

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Become a Contributing Member of the 4-H History Preservation Program.

The National 4-H History Preservation Team is five years old. To strengthen this rich foundation for youth today and tomorrow, this volunteer team has been working to capture the history of HEAD, HEART, HANDS, HEALTH and those pioneering leaders who believed deeply that youth are the future of the world. National 4-H Council, 4-H National Headquarters, caring individuals, and businesses have contributed over $100,000 in financial, staff, and in-kind support to empower this initiative.

YOU CAN HELP? Become a Contributing Member and support the research, documentation, and gathering of the knowledge and physical treasures of 4-H past and present. Your contribution will ensure that the history of 4-H is accessible for all.

Your generous support for 2014 of $25, $50, $100, $300, $500, $1000 or any other amount will help to reach the goal of raising $200,000 in three years. All contributions are tax deductible.

Make checks payable to: National 4-H Council and mail to: National 4-H History Preservation, P.O. Box 37560, Baltimore, MD 21297-3560

Please write 4-H History Preservation on the memo line of your check.

To learn more about the work of the 4-H History Team visit:

http://4-HHistoryPreservation.com