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THE LAND OF THE FOX
         YOUTH ACTIVITIES
  Rural youth activities in the county
date back to about the beginning of
agriculture extension work here. Records
show that the youth work started with
pig raising clubs in 1923. These clubs were
composed largely of rural school boys and
girls with the program centered in the
schools. Later calf clubs were organized.
These clubs promoted the selection and
raising of better stock and taught up-to-
date methods. The first record of clubs
called 4-H Clubs was in 1927. Mrs. John
Schoettler was the first 4-H club leader in
Outagamie County. The purposes of 4-H
clubs are (1) to promote the latest and
best practices in agriculture and home
economics and (2) the development of bet-
ter citizens.
  The calf-clubs and pig clubs were com-
bined in the 4-H program with other
phases of farming and homemaking such
as clothing, foods, gardening and other
projects. Now rural boys and girls may
select any project in which they are in-
terested. They plan their own programs,
conduct monthly and semi-monthly meet-
ings, take tours and trips and promote
community activities. In short, they are
developing into future leaders in agricul-
ture, home economics and community
affairs. In 1947 the program had 615 mem-
bers with 85 adult leaders and over 40
older boys and girls acting as leaders.
These youths also sponsor their own
organizations and leadership councils.
  High school youngsters received instruc-
tion in agriculture as early as 1916 or
1917 according to the records. Shiocton
High School taught agricolture first, and
Seymour High School followed in 1920.
At the present time four high schools in
the county have agricultural departments,
New London, Hortonville, Shiocton and
Seymour.
  Thus, it can be seen that both youth
and adults make a cooperative project of
agriculture in this county.