University of Minnesota. General Extension Division

In Minnesota, 4-H grew out of the boys and girls clubs movement. Theodore (Dad) Erickson, introduced the first agricultural club in 1904, focusing on teaching boys about corn-growing and culminating in growing competitions. In 1912, Erickson was appointed as the first 4-H club leader in Minnesota, a position he held until 1940. Conservation education was added to programming in the 1920s, with the center of activity at the Leadership Camp at Itasca State park. The public face of 4-H historically is the county and state fair. Members working on 4-H projects can display their work/skills at these events and compete for prizes. 4-H remains a part of University of Minnesota Extension. In 2000, 4-H became part of the Center for Youth Development within Extension, which also houses the 4-H Foundation and the Center for Youth Work.

From the description of 4-H records, 1913-2003 (bulk 1940-1990). (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 748329734

4-H was established as a response to changing rural demographics at the turn of the 19th century. Young people in rural communities were leaving farming for work prospects in cities: 4-H was an attempt to counter this trend and keep young people on the farm by providing education, community service and social opportunities. The precursor to 4-H was founded 1901 in Ohio by A.B. Graham, a school principal who promoted vocational agricultural education through out-of-school clubs. The model spread throughout the Midwest and South, and activities in sewing, canning and cooking were developed for girls. Between 1905 and 1914 hundreds of agricultural clubs were organized throughout the country.

4-H was strengthened when the United States Congress passed the Smith-Lever Act in 1914, creating the Cooperative Agricultural Extension Service (CAES). The CAES used funds from counties, state land-grant universities and colleges, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to create and sustain education opportunities in agriculture and home economics. Youth education and development has been a fundamental component of Extension since its founding, and 4-H became the vehicle for delivering experiential learning to young people.

In Minnesota, 4-H grew out of the boys and girls clubs movement. Theodore (Dad) Erickson, introduced the first agricultural club in 1904, focusing on teaching boys about corn-growing and culminating in growing competitions. In 1912, Erickson was appointed as the first 4-H club leader in Minnesota, a position he held until 1940. The program grew quickly. One of the early successes was the junior livestock shows. Beginning in 1918, they were held in the St. Paul Stockyards and supported by the Minnesota Livestock Breeders Association and the St. Paul meatpacking firms, with rules set up by the boys and girls club staff at University Farm. The junior show caught on and became a major 4-H event. The program kick-started membership by “giving agents a way to build trust with parents by teaching their children how to manage their livestock.”

Conservation education was added to programming in the 1920s, with the center of activity at the Leadership Camp at Itasca State park. Two generations of students learned about the practice and science of soil conservation and forestry in Itasca, and returned to their communities to help with local conservation projects. Programs in farm safety, fire prevention, animal and poultry husbandry, crop judging and domestic arts were the main program components of club programming through the war years: in the post war period, in addition to traditional programs, new activities emerged. Human relations, including family relations and dating, were the focus of programming, as well as local and state talent competitions, which grew in popularity during the 1950s through the 1970s. Members were also encouraged to develop leadership skills by participating in state, national and international youth congresses and international exchange programs. The public face of 4-H historically is the county and state fair. Members working on 4-H projects can display their work/skills at these events and compete for prizes.

4-H remains a part of University of Minnesota Extension. In 2000, 4-H became part of the Center for Youth Development within Extension, which also houses the 4-H Foundation and the Center for Youth Work.

From the guide to the 4-H records, 1913-2003, (bulk 1940-1990), (University of Minnesota Libraries. University of Minnesota Archives [uarc])

The General Extension Division was established at the University on August 1, 1913 to offer courses and instruction to people across the state of Minnesota. The division was responsible for planning and staffing evening courses held on and off campus, correspondence courses, short-courses, and lectures to local communities for all collegiate units except the College of Agriculture. The goal of the division was to increase the scope and effectiveness of the University by extending services and activities to people who are not a part of the traditional student body. College credit for some courses could be awarded to extension students, if they met the admissions requirements of the University.

By the late 1950s, the Extension Division consisted of eight major departments: the audio-visual extension service, the center for continuation study, the correspondence study department, the evening and special class department, the municipal reference bureau, the radio and television broadcasting department, the state organization service and the University program service. In 1960, the first graduate program, leading to an MBA, was established in the extension division. By 1962, 19,000 students were enrolled for 1,000 courses offered in the evening around the state. Many students were completing courses in the liberal arts and earning college credit. In 1964, a program that offered courses for credit via television was unveiled. Three to four courses would be offered each quarter, resulting in the earning of 10-14 resident credits, or a total of 33 credits if the student completed the yearly sequence.

The division was renamed Continuing Education and Extension (CEE) in 1972. On July 1, 1996, CEE was renamed University College (UC). While still offering non-credit, distance education and community outreach programs, UC also offered undergraduate and graduate degrees in a number of fields, certificates and post-baccalaureate licensures at the Twin Cities, Morris, Duluth and Crookston campuses, and the Rochester Center. In 1999, the college was renamed the College of Continuing Education.

From the guide to the General Extension Division papers, 1913-1970, (University of Minnesota Libraries. University Archives [uarc])