This is the VOA SpecialEnglish AGRICULTURE REPORT.
A group with strong ties to American agriculture is celebrating amajor anniversary. Four-H is one-hundred years old this year.
Four-H programs began in the earlyNineteen-Hundreds. The first programs were designed to give youngpeople a better agricultural education.
Today, Four-H offers the largest unofficial education program inthe United States. Almost seven-million young people take part inactivities organized by the group. The national Four-H program hasties with similar organizations in more than eighty countries.
The expression “Four-H” comes from the words head, heart, handsand health. Members agree to use their head for clearer thinking,their heart for greater loyalty, their hands for larger service andtheir health for better living.
Four-H programs were not the result of one idea or a recognizednational leader. They were the result of the work of many people indifferent parts of the United States.
One-hundred years ago, many young people were leaving Americanfarms for jobs in cities. This concerned many educators, especiallyin farming communities. Four-H was established to teach students howto operate productive farms. Members met after normal school hours.
Four-H officials say the group has changed during the pastone-hundred years. They say the group is now mainly concerned withthe development of young people. The purpose of Four-H is to giveboys and girls knowledge and skills that will help them becomeproductive members of society.
Four-H members attend meetings, camps and other activities. Theylearn about things that interest them, such as raising animals,growing crops, cooking and caring for the environment.
In most states, young people between the ages of eight andeighteen can join Four-H. Some states have programs designed foryounger children.
Money for Four-H programs comes from the United States Departmentof Agriculture, state universities and local governments.
Recently, hundreds of people from across the United Statesgathered in Washington, D-C, for a national Four-H conference. Theresults of the conference were given to President Bush and Congress.
This VOA Special English AGRICULTURE REPORT was written by GeorgeGrow.