HOOKER COUNTY 4-H PROGRAM

by Suzy Kowalski

Entry T54 from the History of Hooker County Nebraska
with permission of the Hooker County Historical Society

The Central Sandhills Extension Service
Unit was organized in 1934. It was comprised
of Hooker County and its neighboring coun-
ties of Grant, Thomas, and Blaine. According
to files, little interest was shown in the 4-H
youth education program that year.

The year 1936 was the first year an
organized 4-H club completes its projects on
Hooker County. Records do not indicate the
name of the club or the leaders of the club.
The first county fair in Hooker County was
held in 1936. Here 4-H members exhibited
their projects. Premiums for these projects
were paid by the Nebraska Racing Commis-
sion, just as they are in 1988. County 4-H
Committee members (now known as 4-H
council members) in 1936 were: Frank Erny,
Doris Tucker and Bernice Wadlow. 4-H
members who received achievement (comple-
tion) certificates in 1936 were: Norman,
Norris and Opal Carter; Laura Hammond,
Mary Jefford, and June and Walter Younkin.

1941 was the first year that records on clubs
and leaders were available. The clubs were:
Top Notchers led by Forrest Harding and
Willard Davis; Junior Ranchers led by Rob-
ert Howard and Grover Kemp; and the
Happy Workers and Willing Workers led by
Ruth Stoughton and Iva McCully. The
Hooker County Fair was held September 18-
20 with J.W. Skinner as Secretary. A barbe-
que and free show was presented in honor of
4-H Fair Exhibitors by the Mullen Commer-
cial Club.

In the beginning 4-H projects consisted
mainly of livestock for boys and basic cooking
and sewing for girls. In 1988, over 180 projects
ranging from rabbits, rocketry and livestock
projects are available for boys and girls alike.
Many girls are interested in the livestock
projects and boys enroll in sewing and
cooking projects.

In 1983, Julie Tucker won the top state
award for her work in the beef project. In
1985, Susan Stam won the top state award for
her work in the poultry project. Both girls
received a trip to Chicago to attend the
National 4-H Congress which is held every
fall.

Many Hooker County youth and adults
have participated in 4-H over the years. The
above mentioned persons and numerous
others have played and continue to play a
vital part in establishing the strong program
we enjoy today. Present day clubs and leaders
include: The Country Bumpkins, Jane Sher-
man; Country Clovers, Judy Ridenour; Hook-
er County Trigger Fingers, Butch Labore and
Ted Swendener; North Star, Shirley Shears;
Sandhill Roughriders, Don and Judy White.
The 4-H Youth Education program goals,
which are "Learning by Doing" will continue
to be a part of Hooker County and its citizens
in the years to come.