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4-H club girl standing next to poultry house

In this black and white photograph, a young woman stands in the grass next to a large poultry house containing dozens of chickens. She wears a patterned dress that comes just below her knees and a scarf wrapped around her head. The poultry house has two parts....

Format: image/photograph

Chickens in poultry house, Vance County, North Carolina, 4-H Club

In this black and white photograph, dozens of white chickens are pecking around in a small barn or large poultry house. A boy in jeans and a ball cap leans against a pole looking on. The barn has been wired for electricity and a lightbulb and many cords dangle...

Format: image/photograph

Henry Ford with 400 baby chicks

Henry Ford, a member of the Four Oaks 4-H Club, Four Oaks, Johnston County, North Carolina, Rt. 1, is shown doing his part to speed up the production of poultry. This black and white image shows him crouching down with his elbows on his knees in his tobacco...

Format: image/photograph

The African American State Fair

In North Carolina in the New South, page 1.10

For several years in the late nineteenth century, African American farmers held their own state fair in Raleigh to showcase improvements in agriculture.

Format: article

By Jim L. Sumner.

4-H sale selling chickens in Mecklenburg

Several large cages full of chickens are the center of attention in this black and white photograph from the 1950s. Four African American 4-H club members are standing behind the cages as they listen to someone up at the podium in front of them. A loud speaker...

Format: image/article

Introduction

George Vanderbilt established the first agricultural operations at Biltmore to produce dairy products, meat, poultry, fruits, and vegetables for use in Biltmore House. However, it was his hope that the estate would be self supporting, and by the mid-1890s,...

Format: article

By Sue Clark McKendree.

The needs of animals

In this lesson plan first grade students will examine photographs of 4-H club members with animals from North Carolina. They will make observations from the visual material to build an understanding of the needs of animals. They will begin to learn that these needs have remained the same in different times.

Format: lesson plan (grade 1 Science)

By Pauline S. Johnson.

Americans! Share the meat as a wartime necessity

U.S. Government poster from World War II, announcing the rationing of meat. Poster reads: Americans! Share the meat as a wartime necessity. To meet the needs of our armed forces and fighting allies, a Government order limits the amount of meat...

Format: image/poster

Nine ducks swim in newly transplanted wet-rice field

Nine ducks swim together in a newly transplanted wet-rice field. Four are white and two have mottled brown feathers. They swim in the blue-tinted water feeding on algae and insects among the young green rice seedlings. Once rice seedlings are transplated into...

Format: image/photograph

A thatched-roof house in the rural highlands between Hoa Binh and Mai Chau

This thatched-roof house in the rural highlands between Hoa Binh and Mai Chau shows a traditional style of farmhouse built of local plant materials. Young corn plants are growing in the foreground. Such small farmhouses can be built quickly from local palms,...

Format: image/photograph

Solar cooking

In this lesson, students will build a minimal solar oven that works using two cardboard boxes.

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Social Studies)

By Libby Morrison.

A revolution in agriculture

In North Carolina in the New South, page 1.2

Science and technology made farmers more productive in the nineteenth century, but added expenses that drove small farmers off the land.

Format: article

The evils of the crop lien system

In North Carolina in the New South, page 1.7

In the post-Civil War South, the crop lien system allowed farmers to obtain supplies, such as food and seed, on credit from merchants; the debt was to be repaid after the crop was harvested and brought to market. This excerpt from a 1903 book is a commentary on the dangers of overspending and bankruptcy for farmers who go into debt.

Format: book

Commentary and sidebar notes by L. Maren Wood.

Embryology: Hatching baby chicks

This lesson integrates science, math, communication skills, arts, and social studies through hands-on activities. Students are directly involved in hatching baby chicks.

Format: lesson plan (grade 4 Science)

By Ann White.

Special celebrations

Although the first Christmas parties for estate workers were held in the Banquet hall of Biltmore house, they later moved to the Dairy, most likely because of the ever-expanding numbers of employees required for the growing operations. Sarah Lanning surmised...

Format: article

By Sue Clark McKendree.

Biltmore Estate

In North Carolina in the New South, page 5.1

George Washington Vanderbilt inherited a tremendous sum of money and used it to build a massive house and grounds near Asheville.

Format: article

Edith Vanderbilt's relationship with estate families

George Vanderbilt’s marriage to Edith Stuyvesant Dresser in June 1898 precipitated a special celebration when the Agricultural Department won a tug-of-war competition with nursery workers, foresters, and Biltmore House employees and received a “handsome...

Format: article

By Sue Clark McKendree.

The present state of Carolina [people, climate]

In Colonial North Carolina, page 2.1

Excerpt from John Lawson's 1709 A New Voyage to Carolina describing (and mostly praising) the European and native inhabitants, weather, and natural resources of Carolina, as well as what settlers should bring with them from Europe. Includes historical commentary.

Format: book

Commentary and sidebar notes by David Walbert.

Olaudah Equiano remembers West Africa

In Colonial North Carolina, page 4.4

Excerpt from a book written by a freed slave in the late eighteenth century, with memories of his boyhood in Guinea. Describes the government, culture, religion, architecture, and agriculture of the region. Primary source includes historical commentary.

Format: book

Commentary and sidebar notes by Shane Freeman.

Resources on the web

4H Virtual Farm

The 4-H Virtual Farm uses interactive tours and video to introduce several types of farms and explain how they operate. (Learn more)

Format: website/activity

Provided by: State of Virginia 4H