The nation-wide 4-H program began in 1914 as part of the Smith-Lever Act which created the Cooperative Extension Service of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and authorized the creation of youth agricultural clubs. Using a $10,000 appropriation, the state of Utah started an extension division at USU and opened a 4-H state office. The first director was A.C. Hogenson, an agricultural professor at USU, who ran the program from 1914 to 1919. In the 1920s the clubs officially became "4-H" and the clover emblem was adopted. Over the years 4-H has been run by the USU Extension Division in cooperation with public schools, the LDS Church, county governments, and the USDA.
From the guide to the 4-H Club photograph collection, 1930-1990, (Utah State University. Special Collections and Archives)
