A Study of 4-H Clubs In Brazos County With Recommendations For Meeting The Needs Of Youth In A Democracy In Brazos County, Texas

Open Access

Abstract

Today's youths are the most important persons in America. They are important because the present-day youths are "builders of America of tomorrow." One thing that determines the type of "builders" they become, though, is depended upon the kind of leadership they receive today. The kind of leadership they receive from various organizations to which they belong is an important factor. One such organization that can play a big role in helping youth to take his place tomorrow is the 4-H Club organization. The 4-H Club can only do its part by realizing that in the development of youth—good leadership has played a dynamic role. Therefore, it is imperative in 4-H Clubs that only the services of conscientious leaders are secured. Four-H work, the youth phase of the Cooperative Extension Service, is a part of the National Agricultural Extension System which is designed to reach every state in the United States. It was organized by the United States Department of Agriculture in cooperation with the State Colleges of Agriculture and the county extension organization under the Smith-Lever Act of 1914.^" Acts of Congress and the State Legislature authorized the banks to make appropriations for its operation. The primary purpose of 4—H Club work is to develop in boys and girls, between the ages of nine and twenty—one year, leadership, initiative, citizenship, and character. This is done through organized activities built around farm life and homemaking. Programs for 4-H Club meetings usually consist of three parts business, demonstrations, land discussions. The business part of the program consists of getting the boys and girls interested in varied lines of work to be carried on by the club" Certain goals for the year are set up and plans are formulated for reaching these goals. The members of the club decide on certain projects they would like to work on during the year in order to reach the goals they set up.