Gallery Art
Description
Stained Glass
This half-moon stained glass was originally located in the J.C. Penney Hall of the National 4-H Center in Chevy Chase, MD. For decades it served as a welcome beacon for guests to the 4-H Center.
In 1971, a small chapel was gifted by Caroline A. Penney, wife of James Cash Penney. Upon its completion, the front of the building was reworked, and the stained-glass piece was created. When the facade and entrance to the Hall were refurbished, the glass was removed, repaired, leaded, restored and backlit. Bruce Wood (National 4-H Council Associate and stained glass aficionado) led the restoration.
In 2024, this piece was moved to the new home of the National 4-H Council where it continues to serve as a unique and historical welcoming point for a new generation of 4-H'ers.
Presidential Photos
Over the years, 4-H has had unwavering support and involvement from the President of the United States—beginning with President Theodore Roosevelt’s Country Life Commission in 1908, which studied rural life and emphasized the need for a deeper connection to youth environment and education. This helped set the stage for the formation of the Cooperative Extension Service, created by the passage of the Smith-Lever Act of 1914, which was signed by President Woodrow Wilson.
Although no U.S. President has been a 4-H member, a President of the United States has served as the Honorary Chairman of 4-H’s National Council Board for nearly eight decades—from President Calvin Coolidge in 1923 through President William Jefferson Clinton in 2001. First Ladies have also been present, speaking to gender equality, leadership and hard work to create a nation of peace, strength and progress.
Dwight Eisenhower was possibly the most accessible President over 4-H’s long history, helping dedicate the opening of the original National Center in 1959. Perhaps Eisenhower said it most succinctly, when he eloquently reiterated his respect for the capacity, imagination, dedication and devotion of our Nation’s youth.
Canning Jar
Over a century ago, with the aim of implementing more modernized farming and growing techniques, 4-H engaged young people to learn—and hopefully adopt—emerging Ag processes. Learning firsthand about production and quality control, as well as creative marketing and entrepreneurial systems, enterprising 4-Hers parlayed their ag-focused projects into small but successful business ventures.
Customized Good Luck canning jars were created to promote their superior product and ensure quality standards and are an enduring symbol of how young people can create positive and meaningful change in our communities and world.
4-H Poster
For over a century, 4-H has been designing and creating annual themed posters highlighting National 4-H Week. With varying themes of improving community living, working together and providing Opportunity for All, the posters all vividly reflect the colors and design style of the era as well as the progressive and evolving nature of 4-H.
Brandt NASCAR
Brandt, a leading manufacturer of agricultural specialty products and longtime supporter of 4-H, fielded their AG car for seven consecutive seasons at NASCAR. Emblazoned with the 4-H Clover and the tagline ‘Celebrating the Future of Ag’, Brandt has been an advocate through scholarships, project funding, volunteered time and gifts through the BRANDT Foundation.
An advocate for youth and leadership development through ‘learning by doing’ in local 4-H clubs, Brandt supports Ag clubs across the country as they give youth an opportunity to develop valuable skills and apply them in their local and global communities.
4-H Stem Challenge Kits
Introduced in 2008 to help spark an interest in STEM subjects and STEM-related careers, the annual 4-H Challenge Kits each focus on a compelling and timely topic to engage and inform kids. The kits are part of a larger PYD mission for 4-H, which aims to prepare youth for a successful future, instilling confidence, leadership skills, a sense of purpose and a desire to create positive change in their world.
Perfect for school, club, or at-home use, STEM kits are packed with games, activities, building and design activities and created by LGU subject experts and members from the 4-H National Council.
4-H Jacket
At one time, 4-H uniforms and handmade clothing projects were a way to show pride and inclusivity as well as demonstrate mastery of skills like hand and machine stitching, embroidery and felting. A look into the 120-year history of 4-H fashion reveals epic shifts in style, techniques, materials and colorways. The elements that are woven into every piece, however, are the lasting memories of mentors, the satisfaction of learning by doing, and the journey of creating and discovery.
This 4-H jacket was generously donated by Georgia 4-H Alum, Bo Ryles. Dr. Bo’s involvement in 4-H began at the age of 10, and over several decades has expanded to a legacy of commitment, generosity and leadership.
Alumni Photos
4-H’s 120-year history of learning, leading, self-discovery and belonging has seen millions of young people grow, break down barriers and become amazing human beings. Alumni all over the globe are challenging the norm, working together to raise awareness of life-changing 4-H impact and making positive change in their communities and beyond.
Three accomplished and influential alumni are highlighted here, but there are many more.
Iowa native and esteemed NASA astronaut with a Doctorate in Biochemistry, 4-H taught Peggy to explore the world and when that wasn’t enough, to go beyond it. Before retiring, Peggy spent an astronomical 665 days in space and performed 10 career spacewalks.
Grammy award-winning singer and songwriter and Georgia alum, 4-H taught Jennifer her voice would take her far, but her heart is what makes her a star. A passionate spokesperson, Jennifer believes in 4-H’s power to instill drive, help kids find their spark and encourage positive peer and mentor relationships.
American broadcast journalist and South Carolina alum, 4-H taught Craig that growing the confidence to succeed often means taking the risk to fail. Craig is an anchor on the Today show and advocates for inclusivity, healthy living and equal access to education.
Mulligan Stew
Airing from 1972 into reruns until the early 80s, Mulligan Stew was a six-episode educational series produced and sponsored by 4-H and USDA Extension. Focused on good nutrition and developing healthy eating habits, Mulligan Stew was comprised of five school-aged kids and detailed their humorous adventures in a band together.
Jim Davis
Best known for his long-running comic strip GARFIELD, Jim Davis is a Kentucky 4-H alum who grew up on an Angus farm and won Grand Champion showing a heifer in 1955. He credits 4-H with learning a good work ethic and accurate record keeping skills.
To celebrate 4-H’s Centennial birthday and his own special connection to the organization, Davis created a 4-H themed cartoon. From the original acrylic painting, archival prints were auctioned to the public raising money for every state’s Extension program as well as the National 4-H Council.
The SIMPSONS
Even the SIMPSONS love 4-H. The longest running animated television series in US history, and arguably one the most original, The Simpsons based episode 417, better known as Apocalypse Cow, on 4-H. The SIMPSONS creator, Matt Groening donated the script, serving as a testament to 4-H’s reach, connectivity and relatability in today’s world.
Onizuka 4-H “Space” Flag
After a series of weather-related delays, the seven-member crew of Endeavour—along with a flag bearing the green 4-H clover—blasted off from the Kennedy Space Center, June 13, 2009. The 16-day mission included five spacewalks and the installation of two platforms outside of the Japanese module.
Including the 4-H flag on this mission reflects the commitment 4-H has to building young leaders in science, engineering and technology. As the global economy expands, their work-readiness will strengthen our nation’s global competitiveness and leadership in these fields.
Azeem Ahmed, an avid space enthusiast and former President of the Alabama 4-H Council, made the original request to NASA to have the flag flown with a future space shuttle mission.
