Late 1890's
As the century turned, young people were moving to cities, drawn by the potential for jobs. They saw no future in laboring behind a plow. The atmosphere of economic prosperity was darkened by the nagging concern for the future generation of rural children.
O. J. Kerns, Winnebago County, Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station, founded Farmers' Institutes to introduce farm and home topics and comparative classes for rural youth.
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Club charters were first offered by U.S. Department of Agriculture to local 4-H clubs as they organized and the four-leaf clover emblem was patented in 1924.
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When the original patent on the four-leaf clover emblem expired in 1939, Congress passed a law protecting the 4-H name and emblem against misuse.
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With the United States’ entry into World War II, 4-H responded to the needs for increased agricultural production and community service. They grew Victory Gardens, sponsored fund-raisers and did a lot of other things in support of the war effort. In one of their most notable drives, Illinois 4-Hers donated three ambulances to the American Red Cross after raising over $4,500.
9,817 Illinois 4-Hers fought in the war, while countless others actively contributed on the home front.
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National 4-H Mobilization Week was observed annually in 1942, 1943, and 1944. The following year, and every year since, it has been observed as National 4-H Week.
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In September of 1944, with the war coming to a close, the Joint 4-H Advisory Committee proposed a memorial for 4-H members and alumni who lost their lives in battle. It was ultimately voted that this memorial would be a State 4-H Camp.
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In July of 1946, young philanthropist, Robert Allerton, made a donation of 250-acres from his estate in Monticello, IL to house the 4-H Memorial camp.
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County 4-H club agents established their own national professional association in 1947.
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While still in the beginning phases of construction, 4-H Memorial Camp opened for the first time for rudimentary camping in July, 1948.
The National 4-H Foundation was organized in 1948 and Chevy Chase Junior College was purchased as a site for a national 4-H training center.
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A 4-H Commemorative Stamp was issued with first day covers at Springfield, Ohio, in 1952.