The roots of 4-H began at the turn of the century when progressive educators started to emphasize the needs of young people and to introduce nature study as a basis for a better agricultural education. Boys and girls clubs and leagues were established in schools and churches to meet these needs. To spark the interest of young people, Farmers Institutes cooperated with school superintendents by promoting production of contests, soil tests and plant identification. By March 1904 several boys and girls clubs had already exhibited projects. Most states organized clubs outside the schools with rural parents acting as volunteer leaders and Country Extension Agents provided materials. Farmers saw the practical benefits and public support and enthusiasm for 4-H grew throughout the nation. The Morrill Act of 1862 provided federal lands to establish land-grant colleges and universities. In 1890, colleges and universities for black citizens were established in the southern regions to insure that all people were served. The state land-grant universities and the Cooperative Extension Service of the USDA maintained close contact with the development of 4-H. The land grand institutions recommended organizing a distinct administrative division in each land-grant institutions recommended organizing a distinct administrative division in each land-grant institution to direct the many Cooperative Extension activities that were developing. By 1912, virtually all of the land-grant institutions in the southern states had signed cooperative agreements with the USDA and had organized Extension departments. The first emblem design was a three leaf clover, introduced by O.H. Benson, sometime between 1907-08. From the beginning, the three "H's" signified Head, Heart and Hands. A four leaf clover design with H's appeared around 1908. In 1911, Benson referred to the need for four H's - suggesting that they stand for: "Head, Heart, Hands, and Hustle...head trained to think, plan and reason: heart trained to be true, kind and sympathetic; hands trained to be useful, helpful and skillful: and the hustle to render ready service, to develop health and vitality..." In 1911, 4-H club leaders approved the 4-H design. O.B. Martin is credited with suggesting that the H's signify Head, Heart, Hands and Health - universally since then. The 4-H emblem was patented in 1924 and Congress passed a law protecting the use of the 4-H emblem in 1939, slightly revised in 1948. Congressional appropriations to the state land-grant institutions began in 1912 for development of early Extension work with the states. In 1914, the Smith-Lever Act established the Cooperative extension System with the USDA, the state land-grant universities and the counties. Since the early legislation Congress has continued to support 4-H. Through the years, the overall objective of 4-H has remained the same...the development of youth as individuals and as a responsible and productive citizens. 4-H serves youth through a variety of methods: Organized Clubs 4-H Special Interest or Short Term Groups 4-H School Enrichment Programs 4-H Instructional TV 4-HCamping 4-H Centers Individual Memberships

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