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Darke County 4-H
History
 
 

Oldest Clubs	4-H Agents	Advisor Recognition	4-H Band
War Time Efforts	1942	1943	1944
40's & 50's	1950's	4-H Camp	Junior Fairboard
CARTeens	Cloverbuds	Standardbred Horses	Statistics

 

Oldest Clubs: The Darke County 4-H program has firm roots in the traditional club program. The first 4-H clubs in Darke County were formally established in 1923. During this year there were 258 members enrolled in nine clubs. The oldest 4-H clubs in Darke County that are still in existence in 2001 are Jackson Friendship (established in 1926) and Darke County Beef (established in 1935). Others who have remained active since their inception are Darke County Holstein (1947), Darke County Dairy (1945) and Straight Stitchers (1945). Back to Top 4-H Agents: The first 4-H agent in Darke County was John Craine who was hired July 1, 1956. Up until his employment, the 4-H program was coordinated by a 4-H Council and the Home Demonstration and Agricultural Agents. Between 1956 and 2001, twelve individuals have served as the 4-H agent in Darke County. Back to Top Advisor Recognition: The first 4-H Advisors Banquet was held in 1939 with fifty leaders and guests attending. Mr. W. H. Palmer, State Club Leader, spoke following the dinner. The banquet was made possible by an appropriation of $50.00 set aside by the Darke County Fair Board. Back to Top 4-H Band: A 4-H Band was organized in 1939. The band was comprised of 55 members, with 50 members competing at the Ohio State Junior Fair. The 53 members who completed their year as 4-H band members received a special award of 45¢ each. The band was active for several years, but was dissolved in 1942, due to the war.  Back to Top War Time Efforts 1942:  Records from 1942 indicate that the 4-H clubs swung into a war time emphasis in 1942. The 4-H Band, woodworking and similar projects not contributing directly to the war effort were dropped. Emphasis was placed on dairy production, beef and pork production and vegetable gardening. Due to transportation and labor difficulties, the number of required meetings were reduced. The percentage of members completing their projects dropped drastically from previous years. The drop in the percentage of youth completing projects and making exhibits was attributed to boys leaving projects to work in defense plants, demand for farm labor in tomato picking and other farm work, interrupting the boys from bringing their exhibits to the county fair.  Back to Top 1943:  During 1943, the 4-H program continued to emphasize projects and activities that mainly concerned production and conservation for war purposes. Service activities included an authorized salvage program that resulted in the collection of scrap metals, paper, rubber, rags, tin cans, baling wire, silk and nylon. 4-H club members were encouraged to participate in the Ohio 4-H War Program and become a Victory 4-H Member by earning points through the completion of several health activities. A campaign to encourage members to purchase War Savings Stamps and Bonds was conducted with the slogan, "Buy a Bomber! Back the Attack! Buy a Bond!" Back to Top 1944:  In 1944, every effort was made to make 4-H club members a united group contributing to the progress of the war. Emphasis was placed on the necessity of producing food and fiber and also the importance of maintaining a high level of good health. In addition to carrying a regular club project, each member kept a record of activities directly contributing to the war effort in the Ohio War-Time Program Book. Darke County 4-H girls reported giving 40,448 hours of labor on the farm and home, buying $2,997.30 in bonds and stamps, and collecting 8½ tons of scrap metal and paper. Girls' 4-H enrollment was at an all-time low during 1944. This decline was traced to wartime restrictions on travel, older club members being employed by industry, and a decrease in county-wide activities because of the war.  Back to Top 40's & 50's:  During the 40's and 50's, an annual county-wide 4-H campfire and vesper service was held at the Greenville City Park. Programs featured special music numbers, skits and vesper services. All 4-H club members and their families were encouraged to attend.  Back to Top 1950's:  In the late 1950's, the 4-H Council sponsored a 4-H Dental Health program in cooperation with the Ohio Department of Health, Darke County Health Department and local dentists. 4-H club members, as well as their families, were examined through the program. One club paid each member who had their teeth fixed, $3.00 towards their dental bill, in order to encourage more people to take care of their teeth.  Back to Top 4-H Camp: 4-H camp has been a part of the Darke County 4-H program since 1926. Records indicate that the fee for 4-H camp during the early years was $4.00. During the 50's, camp was conducted in Mercer County. Currently, Darke County conducts 4-H camp at Indian Hills 4-H Camp in Miami County. In 2000, 116 youth, ages 9-14, attended camp. Nineteen older youth served as counselors. Back to Top Junior Fairboard:  The Darke County Junior Fairboard was organized in 1973 and was composed of 26 youth representing 4-H and FFA in ten livestock and home economics departments. In 2001, the Junior Fairboard is composed of 43 4-H and FFA youth representing eleven livestock and family and consumer sciences departments, as well as, Farm Bureau Youth, Girl & Boy Scouts, and FCCLA. Junior Fairboard members are responsible for planning, coordinating and conducting all Junior Fair activities, including livestock shows and special activities (Jr. Fair Olympics, Jr. Fair Dance, King & Queen Pageant, Jr. Fairboard Elections, and the Showman of Showmen Contest). Back to Top CARTeens:  In 1993, the CarTeens program was initiated through a partnership with the Darke County Juvenile Court, the Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Darke County 4-H Youth Development Program. CarTeens is an educational program for first time juvenile traffic offenders and their parents. Since its beginning, over 1,600 teen drivers, and a parent or guardian, have completed the program.  Back to Top Cloverbuds:  The Cloverbud Program, for ages five (kindergarten) through eight (second grade), was formally implemented in the county during 1995. Approximately 20 youth were Cloverbuds during that first year and the membership continues to grow.  Back to Top Standardbred Horses:  In 1996, the Silks and Sulkys Standardbred 4-H Club was organized in Darke County. It is believed to be first 4-H club in Ohio devoted to the study of standardbred horses. Members and advisors of the standardbred club have formed a unique partnership with the local harness racers, as well as the Indiana Youth Harness Racing Association to enable them to provide club members with informative, hands-on learning activities. Standardbred Horse Camp was conducted for the first time in 2000. Camp participants had the opportunity to work with racing ponies, courtesy of the Indiana Pony Trotters Association. Back to Top Statistics:  The Darke County 4-H enrollment for the year 2001 was 1090 members with 235 adults serving as volunteers.  Fifty seven percent of the members are classified as farm residents, 35% as rural, non-farm, and 8% are residents of towns & cities with populations of 10,000-50,000. A total of 2,911 projects were taken by these 1090 members. Forty seven percent of the projects were related to livestock, while 20% were family and consumer sciences related subject matter. Twenty six percent were related to science and technology and leadership development. The Darke County 4-H Program continues thrive due to the dedication and commitment of the adult volunteers. Of the 235 active volunteers, 31% have given ten or more years of service to the program.  Back to Top Back to the top   |   County Home Page  |   4-H Home Page

Update: January 2005