Thank you for celebrating 100 years of Houston County 4-H!

Although COVID has taken up much of the last year, it didn’t stop Houston County 4-H from celebrating our 100-year anniversary! We began the new 4-H year (October 1, 2019) with a new event: a Fall Festival at the Fairgrounds! It was a lot of fun and very well attended! Then we had a survey contest and the top three winning clubs (Wilmington Gophers, Sheldon Spartans and the Lazy Lopers) won “100-year” ice cream cake from DQ! Next, we recognized the oldest living 4-H member in Houston County (Congratulations Phyllis Minzer-Kelly)! We had special shirts made with the winning logo that one of our 4-H youth created! The youth were able to show their livestock and other projects at the 4-H showcase/fair and also received special ribbons that say “Celebrating 100 years.” Dianne Welscher showcased each decade of Houston County 4-H youth from 1920 to 2020! And finally, we partnered with Spring Grove Pop to make a “special edition” 4-H green Spring Grove Pop!

Thank you to everyone who has been a part of the 100-year Celebration of Houston County 4-H this past year! We’ve appreciated all the pictures, stories, newspaper clippings, posters, etc. that everyone has brought in over the last two years for the occasion! We have learned a lot more about the rich history of the 4-H program in Houston County because of these treasures! It’s been so great to hear and read stories of how the 4-H experiences and friendships have enriched, challenged and grown individuals over the last 100 years.

If you have any stories that explain how a Houston County 4-H event, club activity, project work or person has positively impacted your life, please write it down and send it to us! Such stories may be included in a “History of Houston County 4-H” book that has now been started!

If you are interested in our 100-year commemorative items or in learning more about the 4-H program, please contact the Extension Office at (507) 725-5807.