1908

On February 8, 1908, the first Corn Club for Louisiana boys met at Moreauville High School in Moreauville, La., (Avoyelles Parish) to teach about 300 boys new ways to grow corn. By the end of the year, 15 other parishes also had formed Corn Clubs. Such agricultural clubs were part of a national movement to teach rural boys new research-based methods of farming. The movement was supported by the U. S. Department of Agriculture, the land-grant colleges and state departments of education. Over time, other agricultural clubs for boys and domestic clubs for girls were developed and were modeled after the Corn Club demonstration methods. Eventually, all these clubs became collectively known as “4-H Clubs.”

The Louisiana State Fair awarded first prize to a 14-year-old Corn Club member who produced 27.5 bushels of corn on a half acre.

1909

Victor Leander Roy was hired as the first State Club Leader. He was largely responsible for starting Louisiana’s first Corn Club in Moreauville, La., and is considered the “Father of Louisiana 4-H.”

1910

Demonstration trains began to travel around the state showcasing Corn Club crop methods, improved agricultural implements, a carload of beef and dairy cattle each and a car loaded with purebred hogs. The first train covered more than 1,000 miles of railway line, stopped at 41 places and reached about 55,000 people who learned the importance of a diversified system of agriculture.

Louisiana started the first Swine Club in the nation in Caddo Parish with 59 boys under the direction of E. W. Jones.

1911

Tomato canning clubs for girls began in Louisiana. Uniform jar labels and canning outfits were supplied by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Other domestic clubs for girls soon followed using demonstration methods.

The four-leaf clover was first used to brand the canned goods prepared by Tomato Canning Clubs nationwide.

Stephen G. Henry from Melrose (Natchitoches Parish) won a Bush automobile valued at about $500 at the National Corn Show in Columbus, Ohio, for his Louisiana State Fair-winning corn exhibit and report on yield and profits.

1913

The four-leaf clover and the term “4-H” were adopted as the national emblem for boys’ and girls’ club work at the Conference for Education in the South held in Richmond, Va.

1914

The Smith-Lever Act, signed by President Woodrow Wilson, established federal funding for the Cooperative Agricultural Extension Service at land-grant colleges nationwide. The funding included support for 4-H boys’ and girls’ club work.

The first Short Course was held at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, La.

1915

Educational films were shown around state using power from a Model-T car.

Cotton clubs and poultry clubs were established.

1918

The term “4-H Club” first appeared in a federal document to describe the activities of the various agricultural and domestic clubs formed nationwide and supported by funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Short Course at LSU was canceled due to an influenza epidemic.

Parish Short Courses began. They were the precursors to rallies and Achievement Days.

1920

4-H Clubs were organized nationwide according to a standard plan with minimum requirements.

1921

The first youth State Executive Committee was formed at Short Course at LSU.

1922

The first Louisiana 4-H camp was held on grounds of the future Camp Grant Walker.

The first Beef Calf Club in Louisiana was formed in Terrebonne Parish.

The first Dairy Club in Louisiana was formed in Rapides Parish.

1923

Louisiana 4-H'ers participated in National Club Congress, which was established in 1922.

4-H camps were held in tents in several locations around Louisiana.

1927

The 4-H Pledge and Motto were adopted at the first National 4-H Camp in Washington, D.C.

1928

The Capper-Ketcham Act provided federal funding for Extension Services and 4-H Clubs during the Depression.

Short Course Daily newspaper was published to keep LSU Short Course attendees informed of activities.

1930

The first Short Course was held at Southern University.

1932

4-H Club work was publicized on radio for the first time as part of a National 4-H Achievement broadcast.

1935

Camp Grant Walker was developed as a “state” 4-H camp as a W.P.A. project.

1936

The first state 4-H livestock show was held with a showing of 43 calves; the grand champion was sold at $0.26 a pound, more than twice the market price.

1937

The first wildlife and forestry camps were held at Camp Grant Walker.

1939

The first 4-H agent camp was held at Camp Grant Walker where the first State 4-H Advisory Committee was established.

1940-45

For World War II service projects, Louisiana 4-H'ers grew Victory Gardens, led the nation in an ambulance fund, collected scrap metal and raised $3.4 million to pay for a Liberty Ship, the Floyd W. Spencer.

1942

The Louisiana Legislature allocated funds for livestock shows.

4-H Club membership was divided into two groups: Junior Clubs for elementary school students and Senior Clubs for high schoolers.

1946

Short Course at LSU was canceled due to a polio epidemic.

1948

The first black regional 4-H camp in the nation was held at Southern University.

The first Jr. Leadership Camp was held at Camp Grant Walker.

1952

The first 4-H Adult Leader Training Camp was held at Camp Grant Walker.

1953

Achievement Days were held in all 64 parishes for the first time.

Groundbreaking for Camp Jesse Harrison for black 4-H’ers was held  after Willard Rambo of Grant Parish proposed a bill passed by the Louisiana Legislature, which allocated funds for the camp’s construction.

The International Farm Youth Exchange Program started.

1954

The 4-H Key Award Program was established to recognize outstanding 4-H'ers.

1956

The First Junior Forestry Camp was held.

59.6% of Louisiana 4-H'ers lived in nonfarm or urban areas.

1957

St. James Parish 4-H’ers won the National Safety Award given by the National Safety Council; they won this award from 1957-2002. The youth competition was eliminated after the September 11, 2001, tragedies due to concern about the risks of having youth travel by airplane to receive the award.

1965

A national mandate to integrate schools began integration of 4-H Clubs.

1970’s

Pointe Coupee Parish 4-H’ers were the first winners of the Nolan Reech Award at Short Course (1970).

New projects and programs extended 4-H to urban youth.

Junior Leadership Clubs were first organized in Lafayette Parish by A.J. Brackin.

1973

“…and my world” was added to the 4-H pledge.

1976

Statewide 4-H celebrations of America’s Bicentennial.

The Louisiana Extension Agent 4-H Association was established.

1978

The Louisiana 4-H Foundation was created.

1980s

Collegiate 4-H took root.

Environmental awareness and concerns for youth-at-risk led to new projects and programs.

Marsh Maneuvers was first held in Vermilion Parish for Vermilion 4-H Junior Leaders (1986).

1984

4-H was established as a co-curricular activity in public schools.

1990s

The first Wildwoods Wanderings Camp was held at Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge (Madison Parish) to focus on the diverse environmental factors affecting the economic and social growth of Louisiana (1993).

Recruitment of volunteers accelerated.

4-H Web sites developed as computer dependency increased.

Special-interest camps were organized.

1996

Character Education pilot programs began with funding from the Louisiana Legislature after a bill proposed by Representative Beverly Bruce was passed.

1999

The Louisiana 4-H shooting sports program began as part of the national outdoor skills program.

2002

The First Annual 4-H Day at the Capitol was held.

2003

The Volunteer Leader Association formed.

2004

Short Course was restructured and renamed “4-H University.”

2005

General Russel L. Honoré, a former 4-H’er from Lakeland, La., (Pointe Coupee Parish) commanded the Joint Task Force Katrina responsible for coordinating military relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina-affected areas across the Gulf Coast.

Camp Grant Walker served as an evacuation shelter for 600 people after hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

4-H'ers across the state assisted with hurricane relief projects.

Afterschool 4-H programs were piloted in Louisiana.

2006

Project portfolio became accessible to 4-H'ers through the Internet.

2008

The first LOST (Louisiana Outdoor Science and Technology) Camp was held at Camp Grant Walker for seventh- and eighth-graders.

4-H Centennial Celebrations were held across the state.

The Louisiana 4-H Hall of Fame was established with 100 inductees.

The museum is filled with dynamic, multimedia exhibits that feature the history and development of Louisiana 4-H. See a virtual tour of the museum here.

• Timeline of Louisiana 4-H – A giant mural and display highlight pivotal events in the history of Louisiana 4-H.
• Louisiana 4-H Hall of Fame – Honoring the people whose dedication made 4-H what it is today.
• 4-H Emblem Collage – A multitude of items from around the state.
• Louisiana 4-H on Parade – 3-D diorama of projects and programs.
• Louisiana 4-H Parish by Parish – Unique achievements by 4-H'ers around the state.
• Frankie the 4-H Fox at Camp – Animatronic fox puppet explains what 4-H does for youth.
• And much more!

Why was the museum built in Mansura, a rural area?

Mansura is in Avoyelles Parish, and Louisiana 4-H has its roots in Avoyelles. In 1908 at Moreauville High School, 300 boys gathered to learn new and better ways to plant corn (with a horse and plow!). This Corn Club for boys was the first of its kind in Louisiana. The club was organized with support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station, the Louisiana Department of Agriculture, the Louisiana State Department of Education, the Avoyelles Parish School Board and Moreauville High School. By the end of 1908, there were 15 Corn Clubs for boys throughout Louisiana. Within a few years, more agricultural project clubs for boys had formed, and clubs for girls were also under way. Such boys and girls clubs were being organized nationwide. Eventually, all these boys and girls clubs were collectively called "4-H Clubs."

The idea for building the museum in Mansura evolved in 2004 when the Avoyelles Parish Police Jury acquired land in Mansura for a new facility for extension and tourism offices.

How do people donate or loan items to the museum?

History comes alive with photos, documents, memorabilia, clothing and artifacts! We know there are lots of treasures out there in closets and attics, and we’re eager to see them. For more information on submitting items for donation or loan, please click here.

News clippings about 4-H events can be faxed or mailed to:

Rose Anne St. Romain
Louisiana 4-H Museum
8592 Highway 1, Suite 2
Mansura, LA 71350
Fax: (318) 964 – 2259
Phone: (318) 964 – 2245

Ann Keene, who has 31 years of volunteer service to 4-H, is a 4-H Foundation past chair. She has received the Louisiana 4-H Alumni Award, 4-H Attorney General’s Livestock Leader Award and State Fair of Louisiana Volunteer Leader of the Year award. In 2010, she was inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame.