Creation of the 4-H emblem

Posted

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By Robin Young

PREVIEW Columnist

With National 4-H Week coming to an end and the new 4-H year beginning, I thought it was appropriate to talk about the creation of the 4-H clover emblem. 

In 1907 or 1908, the first emblem used nationally was designed by O.H. Benson, superintendent of Wright County (Iowa) schools, as a three-leaf clover with three “H’s” signifying head, heart and hands. A four-leaf clover design with H’s appeared informally around 1908.

As the story goes, one sunny June morning in 1906 at a one-room country school near Clarion, Iowa, 11 pupils were spending their recess outside searching for four-leaf clovers. They had plucked seven clovers when a visitor drove up, the superintendent of schools. At the teacher’s suggestion, the children surrendered their good luck charms and placed the seven clovers into the hands of the superintendent. 

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He said, “I’ve been looking for an emblem for the agricultural clubs and the schools of the county and you have just given me that emblem, the four-leaf clover; it will help explain to young and old the message of a four-square education.” (In those early days, 4-H was known as “four-square education,” which was based upon education, physical, moral and fellowship development.)

Although a good story, it may not be totally accurate as in 1907 Benson had designed, along with Jessie Field Shambaugh, from Page County, Iowa, a three-leaf clover with “H’s” standing for head, heart and hands which was used as an emblem on several different items. Nonetheless, the H’s and the clover emblem — regardless of whether we’re talking three leaves or four leaves — is credited to O.H. Benson and to Clarion, Iowa.

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, at a meeting of club leaders in Washington, D.C., they approved the present 4-H design. O.B. Martin is credited with suggesting that the H’s signify head, heart, hands and health — universally used since then.

Archuleta County 4-H open enrollment is happening now. Please come to the 4-H open house on Oct. 20 to learn more. 4-H is the largest after-school program in the nation that builds life skills through hands on learning through projects in areas of science, health, agriculture and civic engagement. 4-H helps youth grow confidence, independence, resilience and compassion. 

Upcoming events

Oct. 19, 4 to 6 p.m.: Shred it. Bring up to three boxes of paper and make a donation to support 4-H. Downtown TBK parking lot. 

Oct. 20, 4:30 to 6 p.m. 4-H open house at the Extension office. Please visit the website, Facebook or call for times to sign up. 

Oct. 26, 8:15 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Cattlewomen’s College. Please go to https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScYo5S8knWE2cKU0NTTfql2qbuHrZ8zV8pJ91eugyPhuBN4OQ/viewform to register. See our Facebook page for more information.

Nov. 3: ServSafe for restaurant workers. 

Visit online

Visit us on the Web at https://archuleta.extension.colostate.edu/ or like us on Facebook and get more information: https://www.facebook.com/CSUARCHCTY.

CPR and first aid classes

CPR and first aid certification classes are offered monthly by the CSU Extension office, generally on the second Monday and Wednesday of each month from 6 to 10 p.m. The cost for the classes is $80 for combined CPR/first aid and $55 for CPR, first aid or recertification. Call the Extension office at 246-5931 to register.