CLARK COUNTY, OHIO – Today, Congressman Mike Turner (OH-10) announced that the 4-H section of the Library of Congress’s Join In: Voluntary Associations in America exhibition has been corrected to reflect Clark County, Ohio’s contributions to founding the network of youth agricultural programs. While on a tour of the Library of Congress, a staff member from Congressman Turner's office noticed that the Library's 4-H exhibit attributed the founding of 4-H to Clarke County, Iowa. Subsequently, Congressman Turner brought the mistake to the attention of Dr. Carla Hayden, the Librarian of Congress, who directed the Library to correct the misattribution.
“Clark County, Ohio played a pivotal role in the development of this critical network of youth programs, and I am encouraged by the Library’s responsiveness in correcting the exhibit,” said Congressman Mike Turner. “The 4-H youth program is an unmatched resource and has given millions of kids and teens around the country the opportunity to further their knowledge of American agriculture. The people of Southwest Ohio deserve to be recognized for our community’s contributions to this historic program.”
“We are thankful to Congressman Turner for bringing this mistake to our attention,” said Library of Congress Chief Communications Officer Roswell Encina. “The Library of Congress strives to represent the American people in its archives by providing Members of Congress and their staffs with accurate information. The 4-H legacy in Clark County, Ohio is now properly displayed in the halls of the Library of Congress.”
Background:
Join In Exhibit at the Library of Congress
In 1902, with the assistance of the Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station and Ohio State University, A.B. Graham started a rural youth program for boys and girls in Clark County, Ohio as a way to promote vocational agriculture and familiarize students with new agricultural technology. This youth program is considered the founding of 4-H.
Over the following years, agricultural agents in Indiana and Nebraska set up corresponding programs for children throughout the Midwestern United States. In 1914, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Cooperative Extension Service organized these various clubs into a national network.
In Clark County, Ohio, the 4-H program consists of 1521 club members across 72 clubs. They are supported by 420 volunteers.
The Library's Join In exhibit containing the 4-H material will be open to the public through the end of the year.
Congressman Turner is a proud member of the Congressional 4-H Caucus.
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