The History of Vinton County 4-H

The first Vinton County 4-H clubs were organized in 1922, under the direction of D. Dowds, the first Vinton County Extension Agent. The girl’s clubs were very successful, with a high completion of projects by members. However, the boy’s clubs were not so successful. The pig club encountered an unfavorable market in the fall of 1922 and dissolved. In 1923, a steer club organized that also had problems.

An Extension representative visited in 1924 and recommended that the livestock clubs take a rest until all of the unfortunate circumstances were forgotten. The boys then planned to grow vegetables and the potato clubs emerged. Livestock clubs made a come back a few years later and were very successful.

In 1935, the Extension Office made a special effort to give every boy and girl an opportunity to take part in 4-H and hired a 4-H assistant to work directly with the clubs.  Through these efforts, 4-H membership reached a high of 700 members! Unfortunately, enrollment declined rapidly when the county did not pay premiums in 1935 (and again in 1956). During the absence of an agriculture agent from 1937-1941, a new low was established. There were no 4-H clubs in Vinton County in 1942, when Hamrick became the new 4-H agent. Over 900 young men from Vinton County had been sent to war; this left few advisors and youth to lead the 4-Hers and made it difficult for families and clubs to participate.

By 1948, enrollment was up to 197 4-Hers and A.B. Graham, the founder of 4-H, made the evening address at the 4-H banquet. The same year, Ruth Murphy Hulbert became Vinton County’s first home demonstration agent. George Brown, the Extension Agent in 1951, rode all the school busses in the school district to locate communities where successful 4-H clubs could be established. By 1955, 464 youth had joined the 4-H program. In 1968, the 4-H Junior Leaders cooperated with the County Commissioners to install a Court House Directory and sponsored the publication of a county plat book to raise funds. The same year, fairboard dedicated the new fairgrounds, where the Vinton County Junior Fair is still held to this day.

4-H enrollments increased and held steady for several years. The Junior Livestock program and auction started in 1973 with less than 20 animals. Today, over 250 market and breeding animals are exhibited. Membership jumped to 524 members (25% of eligible youth in Vinton County) in 1975. Highlights that year included: Bicycle Safety program, a toy drive for needy children, a Livestock Expansion Show and Sale and a Fun Contest.

In 1976, the enrollment shot up to 706, with the majority of increases in the school clubs. The 4-H Junior Leaders created a Vinton County Flag for the Bicentennial. This was also when the Extension Office moved from the Courthouse to the Community Building, which allowed them more convenient access to meeting rooms, to conduct classes and training. Enrollment in 1977 was the highest ever in Vinton County 4-H, with 1081 youth! The enrollment reached 60% of youth eligible for 4-H, the second highest percentage in the state.

The 1980s were a difficult time period with a reductions in funding and in agents from 3 to 1.  Clubs struggled to stay afloat with little help and declining enrollments. The 1990's were a period of slow growth, gradually increasing the enrollments until they averaged between 350-500 kids, increasing the number of volunteers to around a hundred and rebuilding faith in the community. 

In 2000, the 4-H enrollment records reflected 344 active members and 100 volunteers, with the majority of those coming from traditional community clubs. Over 400 projects were taken, 250 of which were livestock and 50 participated in Cloverbud activities.   

As we head into the 21st Century, Vinton County is poised to continue the legacy of procuring tomorrow’s leaders.