It was 1914 and a fifteen-year-old 4-H award winner was thrilled to be in Washington D.C. She was given the honor of meeting President Woodrow Wilson at the White House. He grasped her hand to greet her and said,” Margaret, what have you done to be entitled to represent the great state of Minnesota at the nation’s capital?” Stunned by the question, she responded,” Mr. President, I have only learned to bake some good bread!” His response to her holds true today, as he firmly said “In America we have only one title to nobility and that is achievement. You 4-H’ers have won that title.”
Ribbons, trophies, pins and certificates have always been used as a main part of the 4-H program to highlight the results of hard work and achievement. In the 1800’s, local awards and prizes were used in many American agricultural and home economics programs. Exhibits at courthouses, schools and community places became the county agricultural fairs of today. Besides exhibiting, comparisons could be made between the submissions. Competition provided the opportunity for the youth to master and demonstrate life skills which could be used in the real world.
As research revealed improved agricultural methods, pre-4-H “Corn Clubs” for youth were formed to teach these methods to youth to help them increase their corn production. While the youths rejoiced in winning cash prizes, their parents took notice of their research-based results.
In the early 1900’s, the idea of trips was introduced as recognition for exceptional achievement. In 1919, Amour Packing Company awarded forty boys and girls the opportunity to attend the Chicago International Live Stock Exposition. These trips became annual and evolved into the “National 4-H Congress”.
In 1922, the National Committee on Boys’ and Girls’ Club Work, later called the National 4-H Service Committee, recruited the Montgomery Ward Company to provide trips to National 4-H Congress for home economics 4-H girls continuing to recognize 4-H’ers through partnerships with national businesses. This action underscored the importance of private sponsors in local, state and national 4-H program recognition.
Washington DC was another favorite place to provide youth experiences. In 1925 the National Committee, offered eight youth scholarships to the nation’s capital to the state 4-H programs which showed “the greatest ratio of completed projects compared to the previous year.”
The 4-H Standard Report Form was introduced in 1936 offering a structured record keeping experience. This would set the path for recognition selection for years to come.
The introduction of the “4-H Handy Book’ (1936), and later the “The 4-H Awards Handbook” (1938), offered 4-Hers the opportunity to see and select areas in which they excelled.
In 1953, a major national study was conducted that standardized and simplified the awards system. Significant improvements were also made in 1973 and again in 1977. State and local 4-H programs likewise revised their recognition programs to offer 4-H’ers greater opportunities for recognition.
Whether it’s a ribbon at the local fair or a college scholarship, young people gain life skills and confidence through this facet of 4-H. The experiences gained through recognition, travel and social interaction with others provide experiences that shape young people’s lives today and for years to come.
This article was republished with permission from the National 4-H History Preservation Team’s 4-H Bridge newsletter. Please find the most recent 4-H newsletter at: https://4hhistorypreservation.com/Newsletter/PDF/NewsletterV14no2May2025.pdf”