Corn Clubs
After the turn of the century, most farmers didn’t trust new technology. Their sons, however, were more receptive, and guided by agricultural teachers and researchers who hoped the latest techniques would be embraced and then adopted on the farm, they formed after-school clubs where the boys learned hands-on lessons to improve corn production.
They were allocated an acre of land, usually given by their fathers. Their leaders taught them how to improve the quality of their seeds, how better to cultivate the corn – and make some nice money besides.
In addition, they were expected to keep precise records of their yields and expenses, as well as to participate in local, regional, and state corn contests, the precursor to today’s county fairs. Any prize money won was theirs to keep, as well as any profits made from their acre plot. With these funds, the boys were able to help their families with purchases otherwise deemed unaffordable–clothes, school supplies, and fun extras. Once their successes were observed, the corn clubs provided their seed to local farmers, boosting economies.
Eventually, the corn clubs expanded to include different crops and even livestock, peanuts, cotton, and potatoes, all through the successful concept of teaching young boys important agricultural skills.
Hey, what about the girls?
Not long after, notable women like Jane McKimmon Simpson, a home economist from North Carolina, and rural schoolteacher, Marie Samuella Cromer, also from the South, recognized the importance of the boys club successes and that they could, indeed, be applied to young girls. They chose to focus on tomatoes, since cultivating them were not as strenuous as raising corn (running a plow down the fields would have required far too much upper body strength). The women and girls, eager to add to the family’s support at a time when most farms didn’t have running water or electricity, loved the idea of harvesting tomatoes, and soon Tomato Clubs flourished.
Burdensome? I think I’d resent that!
Tomato Clubs
Tomato Club members were aged about 12 – 18 years and cultivated individual plots of 1/10 acre. They worked in groups to can and market their produce, and like the boys, kept the profits.
Since most housewives were accustomed to buying tins instead of glass jars, the clubs focused on canning the tomatoes in #3 size tin or steel containers, sealing them with solder. While the Mason jar had been invented, access to a pressure canner and the jars themselves was scarce.
Like the boys, the girls were required to document their work in multi-page reports, giving them a female touch with uniquely decorated covers, some tied with ribbons, and all precisely written.
One young lady named Lizzie reported harvesting 2,000 pounds of tomatoes and selling 800 #3 size cans, earning a profit of $78 (about $2,470 today). Some serious cash for a young girl in the early 1900s, right? Good for her!
Another young lady in 1913, Sadie, wrote, “A girl can make money for herself if she desires and still stay right on the farm.”
Another in 1915 writes, “It has been a way by which I could not only have my own spending money and pay my expenses at the Farm Camp, but I also have a bank account of sixty dollars.” (About $1,881 today.)
As you may have guessed, corn clubs and tomato clubs (as well as potato clubs, bee clubs, poultry clubs, and so on!) were the precursor for 4-H Clubs, which over time evolved beyond agriculture to fostering leadership, personal growth, and all kinds of life skills.
Have you ever been in a club while growing up? Did you find it meaningful and educational or more social? Did you have 4-H groups at your school?
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Thank you for this information. It was very interesting to learn. I was never in a club when I was growing up. There weren’t 4-H groups at the schools I went to. I always thought it would be fun to be in a 4-H group.
Good morning, Bonnie! I used to be a 4-H leader when we lived in western Nebraska, and 4-H was popular because of all the surrounding ranches. When we moved to Omaha, I was disappointed that 4-H wasn’t nearly as popular in the big city.
Yes, it was fun – and so good for those kids!
I was in both 4-H and Girl Scouts for a while growing up. I enjoyed both. I remember them for encouraging achievement.
Yes, Janice! I think 4-H was much more hands-on learning than Girl Scouts, but it was good socialization for the girls to get involved in their communities. Of course, there’s the camaraderie, too,
What an interesting blog! I have never done anything in the vegetable venue such as this! So interesting! Work too!
Hi, Kathy! Those kids knew how to work back then, didn’t they? Their work ethic was admirable–a shame many kids nowadays don’t have that incentive.
Good morning Pam! I was in 4-H for a little while, but the best learning experience I had putting up veggies was on the farm! Not just planting, picking, and putting them up. But also going to corn grain bins. From our bin to the ag station where they would weigh and buy. I experienced also taking cows and hogs to the live stock market! I helped both grandmothers with canning. We canned peach and pear preserves. And another grandmother put up tomatoes and pickles. Those were the days! I’m so blessed to have been part of it all! I see that now when many haven’t. When I was young, I thought everyone did! When I started school, I realized a few kids lived in town and they didn’t. At the time I wonder how they ate! LOL Because we had food all year round! LOL
Many blessings Pam!
Aw, Tracy! You had a busy childhood and a wonderful upbringing! Your family taught you skills you could take with you throughout your whole life and especially with your own family.
Yes, truly a blessing! It’s very satisfying to see all that food settled in for the winter. Hard work paid off!
Thanks for sharing!
Our school didn’t have clubs, but our county extension office had 4-H and I participated for several years raising chickens. I was the only person in our district that never lost a chick! I was also in Girl Scouts and was our top cookie seller every year.
You sound like a real go-getter, Kim! I’m glad you experienced 4-H, and I love that Girl Scouts are still selling those cookies (although they’ve gotten super-expensive!)
I didn’t know this! How fascinating! Thank you for sharing!
You’re very welcome, Barbara. I’m glad you enjoyed my blog! I enjoyed learning, too.
We had 4-H through the county extension office. I belong for one year (planning meals), but my sister belonged for several years (photography). We had FHA (future homemakers of America)in high school in which I was an officer two years. We also had Girl Scouts in elementary and middle school. The boys had FFA.
Hi, Karijean. Hearing about your clubs brings back memories from when I was growing up. I wasn’t in them, but I was a 4-H leader for my daughters, and a Brownie for a short time.
I wish the schools taught more homemaking skills like FHA and Home Ec. Even Shop for the boys. I guess learning technology became more important.
While there were 4-H clubs in the area, they were independent of the schools in our area. I know my high school had FHA, but you had to take certain classes to qualify.
I was in Spanish Club, Library Club, Student Government, and a business club.
I learned to can from my grandma and mom.
There was FFA, too. Again, you had to take certain classes to qualify.
You were a busy girl, Denise. Having known you for so long here on the blog, I know you love to learn!
Didn’t know you had to take classes to get into FHA and FFA!
Maybe it was just our district.
I know for DECA, you had to have business classes, and I had gotten an after school job through DECA, too.
I was in Junior Achievement, too. We made acrylic picture frames. I still have some. lol
I guess I was an over-achiever.
>>I guess I was an over-achiever.
I think so! LOL
I don’t think I ever knew what DECA stood for until just now when I Googled it.
There was a 4-H clubs in my school but I was not a member, I joined my cousins on the Spirit squad, which was like cheerleading but our job was to pump up the crowds in the stands during football games.
Hi, Laura. Your Spirit squad reminds me of our Pep Club when I was in high school. Oh, we had fun at those football games. We all had green and white uniforms for our school colors. All we did was sit in the stands and cheer. I don’t imagine many schools do that so much anymore.
My daughter was in Pom Squad, and she, too, had to pump up the crowds. I loved, loved, watching her routines!
We did not have 4H groups. I was a member of Girl Scouts and continued that into my life as a parent with my three daughters.
Good morning, Debra! Girl Scouts was a popular organization, and earning those badges was such a good thing for the girls to have motivation to do. Good for you for being involved for the sake of your daughters!
I lived in CA, Mojave Desert. I was in 4-H.
Horses – a palomino named Goldie – we did a lot of barrel racing.
Cattle – I had a shorthorn heifer named Burgundy Rose – we went up to state – won NV, CA, AZ trophies
Pigs – I had a special pig (boar) that I saved as a runt – he was so loved by all people.
Sewing – I loved to sew and learn new things.
Wow, Lori!! You learned all that from 4-H? That’s wonderful. What great memories and skills you earned.
Congrats on Burgundy Rose! She must have been quite the little heifer!!! 🙂
Hubs, I and all 3 of our kids were 10 year 4-H members here in Indiana!
Why does that not surprise me, Teresa? 🙂
Your kids must have had great leaders to keep them interested for 10 years!
First, Pam, thank you for being a 4-H volunteer. We always need more adult volunteers. Some states tie 4-H clubs to schools, others do not although they often use school facilities for meetings and workshops. I was a 12 year member and worked as a Cooperative Extension 4-H Home Economist for a few years. I have been a leader for many years. In an era when schools have dropped their Family and Consumer Science/Home Economics programs 4-H has continued to provide opportunities for kids to learn life skills through “Learning By Doing” and “Making the Best Better”. Record keeping is still one of the most important things we teach and as always one of the hardest things to get kids to do (and the parents to help with)
FFA and FHA, now Family Consumer Community Leadership, both require classroom participation in most states. All of these programs give kids a chance to make friends, learn life skills, and often travel to places they wouldn’t normally be able to. It takes dedication from volunteers and teachers to keep these programs going and I am thankful for all of them.
Wow, Alice!! I should be thanking YOU for being such an avid volunteer and for being so dedicated to nurturing countless youth in learning valuable skills. It truly takes a special person to be that dedicated.
And you probably knew all about tomato clubs and corn clubs, huh? 🙂
Not tomato clubs but I did know about Corn Clubs and Canning clubs. Our two older daughters were state FHA officers and the youngest was in FFA. They were all in 4-H as well.
You raised your daughters right, Alice! Making state officers speaks volumes.
I had never heard of the corn clubs, nor tomato clubs. We did have 4H, FFA, FHA and of course Home Economics in our school. I was involved in FHA, 4H, Home Economics, French Club, and Beta Club. I went to the same school all my school years, grades 1 through 12. Great school, knew everyone and loved everyone. Thanks for al this interesting information.
Sarah, I’m glad you enjoyed learning about the clubs. You sound like you had a great, well-rounded education and school life. I, too, was pretty involved with my school’s organizations, and the school was small enough that we knew each other very well. Sure made for fun high school reunions!
Thanks for stopping by!
As I was reading, I kept thinking that this all sounds like a precursor to 4H and sure enough it was!
I did 4H in the 1970(late) and 1980’s (early). We raised sheep so we were in the marketing and breeding categories. We raised piglets but only for market. I also did cooking and planters. I actually won for my sticky buns and Crock pot beef stew! I didn’t take my projects to State fair though. Family didn’t have the money. I have 2 sisters and a brother. They only did the animal projects. 4H wasn’t through the schools then. That was FFA- Future Farmers of America.
I love how involved your family was – and your sticky buns won? Wow – and yum! Interesting that crock pot recipes were featured. I don’t think I ever saw that.
Bet you’re a good cook to this day!
We didn’t have a 4H club when I was in school, and depending on what grade, there may not have been any club! I was never in one, though.
Hi, Trudy,
It sure seems that it depended on the schools as to how many clubs they had, and those clubs needed leaders and someone to keep them organized. Schools can’t do it all on their own. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by!
I wasn’t able to join a club until I was in high school. 4-H on the teen level was where I started. The club was at the county level drawing teens in from several schools. Most of the teens had been 9involved since grade school and lived on farms. As teens the focus of the club was more social, community service, helping with the County Fair, and doing competitions. Some were still doing agricultural projects and had animal and gardening entries in the fair. I helped out in the 4-H Dairy Bar and the 4-H building where needed. We had a competition square dance team, but I was unable to go to the State Fair with them. We did do an exchange with a teen club in Maine (we were in NE NY). Several of us went there and stayed with families for a week and some of them came and spent a week with us.
When we lived in Northern Virginia, we joined the 4-H Rabbit Club. Again it was a county wide club with members from different schools of all ages. We enjoyed it and had our share of several varieties of rabbits. Our children enjoyed it and had several entries in the county fair of rabbits as well as art and photography. I was surprised when we moved to TN that the clubs here are attached to the schools. They are an elective for a quarter of the school year. It is a shame it is run this way. Clubs you join because you are interested in what they do are much better and the members get much more out of it. It is a numbers game. They can show how many students they have involved in the program.
Thank you for the interesting post. It was fun thinking of my time in 4-H and the good friends and times we had.
Good morning, Pat! I can’t help but think all your involvement in the various aspects of 4-H fostered your love of service later in your life. (You joined the Peace Corps, right?) You continued that with your children, which is admirable.
Glad you enjoyed a little reminiscing!! 🙂