4-H Helps Make the Depression Years... Less Depressing

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A major objective during the depression years of the 1930s for the National Committee on Boys and Girls Club Work was "to try to make life a little richer, a little more fun, for rural America." With the dust bowls and lower prices for their commodities, life was tough for farming families. The National Committee published a National 4-H Club Songbook. They published a series of 4-H skits and plays, particularly adaptable to 4-H club meetings. Through both their 4-H radio programs and the National 4-H News magazine, hobby information and tips on inexpensive recreation were given and competitive sports and musical groups were encouraged for 4-H clubs. The National Committee ran contests and offered prizes for the best uplifting stories and poems.

House-bound, with little money for "just having a good time," rural America was grateful.

While these efforts were not promoted extensively outside of the Extension system, they were heavily promoted through the 4-H Supply Service catalog, National 4-H News and at 4-H events.