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As I sat in my office last Wednesday, one of the secretaries intercomed me to inform me that I had a call from an older gentlemen that had some questions about 4-H. Not knowing who was on the other line or what they would ask, I gathered my thoughts and answered the call.
To my surprise the voice on the other end was a welcoming one that I would later learn had years of knowledge waiting to be heard. Mr. Haywood Thomas initially told me that he had been in 4-H during the 1930’s, which at that time it was called Corn Clubs for boys. He went on to tell me that he had won a medal for raising the most corn in the county and he still had it.
As we continued to talk, Mr. Thomas began to ask questions about clubs and the concept of them today. Our conversation went from talking about the corn and tomato clubs of his time to the many programs that 4-H offers today. Mr. Thomas even asked about an event that he went to when he was in 4-H where the Extension Agent took them to Raleigh for the week and they stayed on the campus of North Carolina State University. He told met that they stayed for 4 or 5 days with meals included for about $5.00.
I informed Mr. Thomas that they still have that program which is called North Carolina 4-H Congress for teen 4-H’ers but now it cost $250.00. With a chuckle Mr. Thomas said, “Yea that is a little more expensive, but $5.00 was hard to come by since this was during the Depression.”
We talked for another few minutes and he told me that if I didn’t mind, he would bring his medal to the office so that I could see it. I told him to come by whenever and gave him directions. We ended our conversation with a goodbye and take care, but in my mind I felt that I had just found a very valuable piece of 4-H history.
On Tuesday, June 2, I was in my office working on summer programs when Pam Layfield came to my doorway and said, “Mr. Thomas is here to see you.” I walked up to our main entrance and looked into the eyes of a man that I have seen so many times around the county.
As I approached and introduced myself, Mr. Thomas was already talking with Pam about his 4-H experiences. He then
| removed the golden medal from his pocket and before he could hand it to me I had seen the 4-H clover. The back of the medal was inscribed with his name, the year (1937), and what he was winning the award for (raising the most corn in Anson County).
He told me that Arcadian Nitrate, which I think is a fertilizing company, had presented the award. Mr. Thomas told me that he was 17 when he won the award and he also told me that Mr. James Cameron was the county agent and Mary Redfern was the extension agent during this time.
I was completely amazed that Mr. Thomas was saying all of this from memory. I informed Mr. Haywood Thomas that this year marked the centennial for 4-H in North Carolina and if he didn’t mind I wanted to do an article on him. He smiled and said, “ I don’t mind at all.”
Other interesting things I got from Mr. Haywood Thomas was that after finishing high school in Anson County, he went to Charlotte to work in sheet metal. He later traveled and lived in several states before enrolling in the Navy where he served 2 ½ years. After his term was completed with the Navy he begin working at Eastern Airline where he remained for the next 20 years and retired in 1983.
He also told me that the industry was closed down in 2001. Mr. Haywood said he moved back to Anson County in 1987 after being gone for 37 years. We talked for a while longer and as Mr. Thomas was leaving he looked at me and said, “I loved 4-H, when you lived out in the country, you had nothing else to do but work in the field for 12-14 hours a day, this gave me something to look forward to and to learn new things. I will always cherish what I learned in 4-H.” I asked him was 4-H in schools during his time and he told me that they met 30 minutes during recreational time and had their meetings then.
I would like to thank Mr. Haywood Thomas for taking time to make the call that allowed our lives to cross paths. I am truly appreciative to learn such vital history about 4-H: past, present and future.
Roshunda Blount
Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development
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