Delaware County, Iowa 4-H History

4-H History in Delaware County – 1919-1929

In 1919, the first 4-H clubs were organized in Delaware County. In 1919 – 1920, seven clubs were listed: Baby Beef, Purebred Calf, Market Pig, Purebred Gilt, Poultry, Dairy Calf, and Sow and Litter. Ninety boys were enrolled, but only 21 completed a project. Exhibits came from Delhi, Oneida, Delaware, Elk, Coffins Grove, Prairie, and Milo and Colony townships. Three townships had judging teams that were promoted by the schools in Greeley, Oneida and Delhi with the county fair competition won by Oneida.

In 1921 70 boys were enrolled in four clubs (sow and litter, market pig, purebred dairy and poultry), and 63 completed their projects. $125.00 in prize money was awarded at the county fair. In 1924, the purebred gilt club replaced the sow and litter club, and both boys and girls between the ages of 10 and 18 years were eligible; 18 enrolled including one girl. The dairy heifer club divided into a junior and senior club with 24 boys and two girls enrolled.

In 1924, seven girls clubs focused on the clothing project, and they were responsible for completing a record book. The first rally day was held at the fairgrounds. The Cheerful Workers were organized in Oneida Township during that year, but they gradually migrated to Delaware Township.

In 1925, the county added a baby beef club and a potato club.  Members totaled 103 boys and 60 girls enrolled, and prize money at the fairgrounds amounted to $143.

In 1927, the girls project was home furnishings, and 16 clubs and 359 members participated. The year marked the first for club booths, and also the first county camp was held at the county fair with 50 members participating. In 1929 boys were required to attend 4 meetings.

4-H History in Delaware County –1930 - 1959

In 1930, the dairy calf club had grown so big that it was the second largest in the state. Eight girls clubs with 104 members and 16 boys clubs totaled 350 members. Also in 1930, a lamb club was started.

In 1932, two county events were instituted: a member/leader banquet and a beef club tour of the county. In 1933, there were nine girls clubs, and an all-club party was held in the county. In 1934, the girls enrollment was at an all time low with only three clubs (Colony, Milo and Oneida), so no rally day was held. In 1935, Rally Day was resumed, and Lois Matthews received a Des Moines Register and Tribune award on her 10-year record book--she had canned 750 quarts of food.

In 1941 mother–daughter teas were started among the girls clubs, and the basketball tournament was organized; 78 boys took part. The county champions took second place in the district tournament.

In 1943 the first leader training in food and nutrition was held.

During 1948, the 4-H enrollment program was started in October.

In 1949, 4-H’ers attended camp at Wapsi Y for the first time. The leader recognition banquet was also begun in 1949.

In 1950, welcome signs were placed at the four corners of the county. The 4-H clubs participated with a float in the Manchester Centennial parade.

In 1952, officer training meetings were held, and the 4-H Jamboree was held for the first time.

The first town club, Manchester Merry Maids, was organized in Manchester in 1955. 

4-H exchanges have been held. In 1959, 32 members went to Mississippi County, Arkansas, and we hosted them in 1960.

4-H History in Delaware County – 1960 - 1965

4-H exchanges continued. In 1962, 27 members and two leaders went to Ainsworth, Nebraska. In 1965, 20 came from Wayne County, Michigan, and 1966, 23 went from Delaware County. In 1969, 26 members from Sullivan, Tennessee, came.

In 1961, our first youth committee was formed. In July 1961, 31 delegates and four chaperones attended the first citizenship short course to Washington, D.C.

A crop and weather reporting club was formed in 1962.

1963: Booster committees were organized to help 4-H functions within the townships. Three couples in 14 townships were recruited.

1965: presentations took the place of demonstrations with a single contest for boys and girls.

 

4-H History in Delaware County – 1971- 1976 

In 1971, 23 girls’ clubs and 16 boys’ clubs had members enrolled in 55 projects. Members had an exchange with Lucas County, Oklahoma.

In 1972, 816 youth enrolled in 4-H, and 700 attended Rally Day.

1973, the first dogs were exhibited at the fair.

In December 1973, 38 members participated in an intrastate exchange with Plymouth County, Iowa, and they returned the visit in March of 1974.

1975: exchange in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.

The peak enrollment was in 1976 with 998 members enrolled in 55 clubs (20 boys club and 35 girls clubs) in 53 different projects. Club leaders total 74 for girls (11 were new leaders), and 41 leaders of boys clubs (eight were new leaders). Project leaders totaled 47 plus 45 active booster couples.
 

4-H History in Delaware County – 1995 - 1999

In 1995, there were 25 clubs with 576 members and 72 organizational and activity leaders in the community clubs and project leaders for countywide areas of interest. Out of county events that Delaware county members participated in included State 4-H Conference and Animal Science ROUNDUP, Summer Adventure at the State 4-H Camp at Madrid for Juniors, Discover Iowa for Intermediates tour of the Iowa City and Cedar Rapids areas, State Fair and National Cattle Congress. Recordkeeping forms and methods were updated.

There were 25 clubs in 1996 with 465 members ages 9 – 19 with 72 leaders. Out of county events included: State 4-H Conference and Animal Science ROUNDUP, Summer Adventure at State 4-H camping Center for Juniors, Discover Iowa tour of Quad Cities for Intermediates, State Fair and National Cattle Congress (Presentations).

1997 recorded 23 clubs with 450 members in grades 4- 12. Two members served on State 4-H Council; three members served on Area 4-H Council; 12 attended an Intermediate 4-H Conference in Fayette for the Northeast Area; 12 attended State 4-H Conference and one attended Dairy ROUNDUP; eight campers and four junior counselors attended the Summer Adventure for Junior members at the State 4-H Camp near Madrid; seven members attended the Discover Iowa tour of the Mason City/Clear Lake area; six attended Citizenship: Washington Focus in Washington D.C.; members participated in State Fair and National Cattle Congress.

In 1998, there were 22 clubs with 421 members and over 70 adult leaders. One of our members served on State 4-H Council; two served on Area 4-H Council; nine attended the Intermediate Conference in Fayette; nine went to State 4-H Conference with six at Animal Science Roundup; Summer Adventure for Juniors (nine members and two Junior counselors); nine attended the Discover Iowa tour of Des Moines; seven members went to Citizenship: Washington Focus in Washington D.C.; members also went to State Fair and National Cattle Congress.

In 1999, we had 21 clubs and 446 members. Two members served on Area 4-H Council; six attended the Intermediate Conference in Fayette; 10 members went to State 4-H Conference and four attended ROUNDUP; 10 campers and one junior counselor went to the Summer Adventure at Pine Bluff 4-H Camp near Decorah; one member attended the Discover Iowa tour of the Mississippi River from Dubuque to Clinton; members went to State Fair and National Cattle Congress.

 

4-H History in Delaware County – 2000 - 2011

In 2000, there were 22 clubs with 445 members in grades 4- 12. Two members served on the Area 4-H Council; 12 attended State 4-H Conference and two for ROUNDUP; nine campers and two junior counselors went to the Junior camping trip at Pine Bluff 4-H Camp near Decorah; seven members and two junior counselors attended the new Intermediate camp at Pine Bluff; two Intermediate members went to Des Moines to the State Fair with Discover Iowa trip; members attended the State Fair and National Cattle Congress.

2001: 21 clubs existed with 438 members and over 70 leaders. One member served on State 4-H Council and Area 4-H Council; 10 members attended State 4-H Conference and five went to Roundup; five attended the Eastern Iowa Junior Camp at Pine Bluff near Decorah; two attended Citizenship: Washington Focus; Intermediate Camp was cancelled; members attended State Fair and National Cattle Congress (presentations).

In 2002, there were 20 clubs with 382 members. One member served on State 4-H Council, and several served on Area 4-H Council; 20 attended State 4-H Conference, and five attended ROUNDUP; six attended the Eastern Iowa Junior camp at Pine Bluff near Decorah; 10 attended the Intermediate 4-H Camp at Pine Bluff; members attended State Fair and National Cattle Congress.

In 2003, there were 20 clubs with 367 members. Eighteen members attended State 4-H Conference; eight went to Northeastern Area Junior Camp at Pine Bluff; five attended the Northeastern Area Intermediate Camp at Pine Bluff; members attended State Fair and National Cattle Congress, and three members went on an All Star team to Louisville, Kentucky, for Dairy Judging team.

In 2004, 375 members (235 girls and 140 boys) were enrolled in 20 clubs. (13 co-ed clubs, four girls clubs and three boys clubs) The clubs range in size from six to 39 members. We have 47 community club leaders and 13 project leaders. The Hoptown Hurricanes club added the first Cloverkids group in the county. A team participated in the State Livestock Judging contest in August for the first time. Senior Dairy Quiz Bowl represented the state at the North American Livestock Exposition at Louisville, Kentucky.

In 2005, there were 20 community clubs with 381 members (234 girls and 147 boys). Seventeen attended State 4-H Conference, and three attended to ROUNDUP; seven attended the Northeast Iowa Area Junior camp and 12 attended the NE Iowa Intermediate Camp at Pine Bluff; members attended State Fair and National Cattle Congress (presentations).

In 2006, there were 375 members in 20 clubs. Nineteen members attended State 4-H Youth Conference and Roundup; six attended Northeast Iowa Area Junior Camp and two attended Intermediate camp at Pine Bluff near Decorah; our State 4-H Meats Judging team advanced to American Royal in Kansas City. Members attended State Fair and National Cattle Congress.

2007: There were 20 clubs with 368 members (146 boys & 222 girls). Six members attended State 4-H Conference, and one attended ROUNDUP; eight campers went to Junior Summer camp, and three Intermediates attended at Pine Bluff 4-H Camp. Our Senior Dairy Quiz Bowl team represented the state at Louisville, Kentucky. Members participated at State Fair and National Cattle Congress.

In 2008, there were 19 community clubs with 361 members in grades 4-12. There were 140 boys and 221 girls with 243 from farms and 118 from towns. Four Youth in Action members attended Legislative Day in March at the State Capitol in Des Moines; two members attended State 4-H Conference, and two attended Dairy Roundup. Area Intermediate and Junior Camps were cancelled due to flooding at Pine Bluff camp near Decorah; members participated at State Fair and National Cattle Congress. Four members participated in the State Meats Judging and four in the State 4-H Livestock Judging contests in August.

In 2009, there were 18 clubs with 339 members (126 boys and 213 girls) in grades 4-12. Four teen members and a chaperone went to Citizenship: Washington Focus with the Northeast Iowa group; four attended State 4-H Conference and three attended ROUNDUP; eight members attended the Northeast Iowa Junior Camp and two attended the Intermediate camp near Pine Bluff; two members attended a short Un-Camp at State 4-H Camping Center near Madrid; members repeated their Educational Presentations, Working Exhibits and Share the Fun at a Communications Encore at Lenox College in Hopkinton in September.

There were 18 community clubs and four special interest clubs (Archery, Fishing, Needle Arts and Gardening) throughout the county in 2010. The 360 members in grades 4-12 included 151 boys and 219 girls. Dues were $30 but, through generous financial support of the 4-H Food stand committee, members only paid $10. There were 11 Cloverkids (grades K-3) in two groups. Three members attended State 4-H Conference and two attended Animal Science Roundup in June. Seven members attended the Region 11 Junior Camp at Camp Shalom near Maquoketa. Three members attended an Uncamp near Madrid at the State 4-H Center. Our Intermediate team #1 won the Intermediate division of the State Dairy Quiz Bowl.

There were 17 community clubs and five special interest groups (Shooting Sports, Fishing, Nifty Needlers, Hawk Engineers and Team Foxcatcher) throughout the county in 2011. There were 159 boys and 220 girls in the 379 members in grades 4-12. There were seven Cloverkids in the two groups in Manchester and Hopkinton. Two members attended State 4-H Conference and one member attended Dairy Goat Roundup at ISU in Ames. One member attended the Region Junior camp near Maquoketa at Camp Shalom, three members attended the “Super Soakin” camp, and three attended the “Anything Goes” camp at the 4-H Center near Madrid. Our Intermediate team #1 and our Junior team won their divisions at the State Dairy Quiz Bowl in June.

 Visit the Delaware County 4-H website.