Nebraska 4-H Clubs Began in York County

Bishop's 1905 associations had formal names and elected officers. A 1908 University of Nebraska bulletin he wrote says they were organized on December 15, 1905, at the first corn contest held in Lincoln, as the Nebraska Boys' Agricultural Association and the Nebraska Girls' Domestic Science Association. Bishop, then deputy state superintendent, managed them with Val Keyser of the Farmers' Institutes. For 1908 members could take up corn, potatoes, buttermaking, cooking, needlework, preserving vegetables and fruits, and flowers. In 1911 Iowa hired Bishop as its first state club leader.

What the plaque says

Nebraska 4-H Clubs Began in York County In 1898 E. C. Bishop, a teacher in nearby Bradshaw, organized student clubs. Through these clubs he planned his school lessons so that they related to the students' activities on the farm and in the home. The first projects Bishop assigned dealt with corn growing, sewing, and baking. Similar student activity clubs were organized in several states at this time, but Bishop's efforts are regarded as the beginning of 4-H club work in Nebraska. Bishop became York County Superintendent of Schools in 1900 and continued to stress the importance of youth organizations. In 1905 he organized state-wide boys' and girls' associations. As State Superintendent of Schools (1909-1911), Bishop took charge of youth work. He wrote, "We expect each of our members to learn to do something worth doing--something the world wants done...and to lead himself into an education that will bring the fullest development of the triunity--the hand, the head and the heart." Although health has been added as the fourth "H", Bishop's beliefs are still idealized in 4-H work. York County 4-H Committee Nebraska State Historical Society

Where it stands

More markers nearby

• Nebraska City-Fort Kearny Cut-Off — 4.6 mi
• Nebraska City-Fort Kearny Cut-Off — 5.2 mi
• Bradshaw — 8.2 mi
• Porcupine Ranch — 12 mi