* Note - This article appeared in the 2003 Chisago County Traveler published by the STAR newspaper.
by Tesha M. Wiedemann
Special Sections Editor
Last year, 4-H celebrated its 100th birthday. Here in Chisago County, 4-H has been a part of people’s lives since the 1920s.
In 1923, there were 78 boys and girls creating tomato, bread and corn projects. In 1999, over 1,600 youth in 15 clubs participated in 4-H, according to Extension Educator Barb Piehl.
“Learning responsibility, accepting the challenge, and meeting the requirements of their projects made them the responsible adults they are today,” stated long-time 4-H participant and leader Esther Schmidt. “These people make America a better place in which to live.”
Schmidt was a Chisago County 4-H agent during the 1940s and 1950s. At that time, Chisago County was covered by farms with few housing developments. Chisago County’s roots echo that of the nation’s, beginning with corn and grain projects for boys and extending from there into other produce, livestock, and home and health projects for not just boys, but girls, as well.
“4-H is a youth development program conducted jointly by the Department of Agriculture, the National 4-H Council, the state land grant university and county government,” wrote former Chisago County 4-H member Amy Lindahl in a school paper. “Concern over the drift of farm youth to the cities facilitated the growth of rural education programs.”
She pointed out that the term 4-H club was first seen in a federal document in 1918 in a bulletin written by Gertrude L. Warren. Between 1907 and 1908, O. H. Benson introduced the first draft of the three-leaf clover, signifying head, heart and hands. Three years later, O. B. Martin suggested that a four leaf clover be used instead, adding health to the list. The 4-H emblem was patented in 1924 when the first 4-H clubs were officially formed. throughout the country.
“Changes have altered the face of 4-H from its beginning purpose,” Lindahl noted. “With the drift of the rural population to the city, 4-H has evolved into the urban setting. The early mission of 4-H was to create more interest in agriculture… Through the change in membership, the 4-H motto has become ‘To make the best better’… The mission of 4-H is to assist youth in acquiring knowledge, developing life skills and forming attitudes that will enable them to become self-directing, productive and contributing members of society.”
In 1924, 35 boys and nine girls were involved in dairy calf, pig, dairy and general livestock judging and bread making in Chisago County. As the numbers continued to increase, Chisago County decided to organize various clubs in 1934. Eleven clubs were formed that year: the Harris Boys Club, the Harris Girls Club, Sunnyside Club (District 40), Stark Club, District 61, Deadon Hustlers, District 60, District 27, Franconia, Almelund Club and Sunrise Club.
Of those, the Almelund All Stars (once called Up & At Its) and the Harris Golden Gophers (formerly Harris Boys and Harris Girls clubs) are still in existence today. Other clubs that are still active are Club of the Dalles in Taylors Falls (1936), Game Birds in Stacy (1939), Panola Rockets in Lindstrom (1942), North Star in Rush City (1945), Excelsior in Lindstrom (1946), Happy Hikers in North Branch (1946), Height Seekers in Chisago City (1952), Chargers in North Branch (1970), Wolves in Wyoming (1977), Sunshine in Center City (1978), Northern Lights in North Branch (1981), Explorers in Rush City (1987) and LIFT in Wyoming (1997).
The first Chisago County 4-H officers elected were Raymond Wikelius of Lindstrom as president, Leonard Noren of Chisago City as vice president, Verna Broecker of Lindstrom as secretary-treasurer and Esther Howard of North Branch as reporter.
During Schmidt’s 15-year tenure as a 4-H agent in the county, there were 23 clubs and 600 participants. “The 4-H program then, as now, strived for life enrichment for all youth,” Schmidt observed.
Members constantly gave demonstrations related to their special projects during monthly meetings and at both the county and state fairs. In the beginning years, 4-H clubs were school clubs. They were first active only during summer months, ending after the autumn fairs and starting again in the spring. While Schmidt was involved, the Meadow Larks were east of North Branch three miles, Willow Grove Club south of Rush City, the North Stars in Rush City and the Happy Hikers in North Branch.
Clothing had to be homemade, and cakes were made from scratch to exact specifications, remembers Schmidt. She recalls demonstration days at North Branch High School where pies and bread were on display and girls who had made their own clothes modeled them. There were 4-H Summer Club Tours at members’ homes. “Every day was interesting, no matter what,” she noted.
“Forestry was one of the big projects,” Schmidt added, as was the International Firm Youth Program. Several individuals from Greece (Anastatia Katsiksas), Iraq, Jordon (Essa Eberham), Korea (Jong Bin Lee) and Israel (Dr. Esther Gordan) visited Chisago County, staying in citizens’ homes. In turn, Chisago County residents Allen Croone went to Greece and Norma Gustafson to Denmark. Schmidt remembers that Croone later returned to Greece to teach.
Schmidt laughed remembering how the poor boy from Jordan was flabbergasted by the attention directed his way by girls. “I still get letters from them all,” Schmidt noted.
Judging was very strict in those days. “T.A. Erickson, the organizer of 4-H in Minnesota, established the integrity of 4-H,” remarked Schmidt.
Schmidt pointed out that the 4-H exhibits drew people to the county fair. A new building was constructed during her time as a 4-H agent so that 4-H members didn’t have to sleep in the barn with their animals. The dormitory occupied the top floor, and exhibits were housed in the main level.
Schmidt retired from 4-H in 1960, and was given a big goodbye party. She then obtained her master’s degree and began teaching at the community college in Cambridge. Looking back, she remembers constructing that new building at the fairgrounds in Rush City, 90 girls in the County Dress Revue in homemade garments and 4-H Summer Club trips in cars with no air conditioners. “How great for me that after 40 years, I am privileged to meet former member leaders and friends… Ah! It was the great life.” To those former members and leaders, Schmidt says, “Thanks for the great memories and keep up the good work.”
Many former members and leaders shared memories with the Chisago County Extension Office during the 2002 fair.
Karen Kennedy, a former Chisago County adult leader and childhood 4-H member in Meeker County, observed, “I have watched as competitors put aside competition to embrace each other and offer friendship. I have seen 4-Hers teaching each other, sharing their possessions and taking the ‘new kid’ under their wing. I have observed youth develop into mature young men and women. I am so proud of them and grateful to have known them.”
Joann Ploetz remembers winning a trip to the state fair when she was 10 by doing a ‘silent’ bread demonstration as a member of the Willow Grove 4-H Club in Rush City. Her children, too, became active 4-H members, and she was a leader and founder of the Northern Lights club. “4-H has been a part of my life and part of my children’s lives and we all owe so much to 4-H for what it has offered our family. Many of the skills that my children are known for can be traced back to their participation in 4-H…
“I do believe that at least one of my veins is green!”
Carolyn and Glen Holmstrom and Tim and Jenny Holt credit 4-H for their romances. “Without the help of 4-H we might never have met!” remarked the Holts, who were members of the same 4-H club as children. The Holmstroms met through 4-H at age nine.
“4-H has changed since my children were members, but I’ve noticed that the children haven’t,” noted Alice Waletzko, whose children belonged to the Almelund All Stars. “They still enjoy showing off their projects at the county fair – and a blue ribbon is still exciting!”
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