Montana’s first statewide 4-H Leader

When the Cooperative Extension Service was established in 1914, Montana hired Augusta D. Evans as the first full-time state 4-H program leader. Traveling from Illinois, she stopped in Forsyth, Montana. There, before her first day of work, she gave a demonstration and formed a girls’ canning club, Montana’s first 4-H club. Evans worked in Montana for just two years, and in that short time, she logged more than 18,800 miles, established at least 440 clubs across the state, and enrolled about 2,700 youth in 4-H.

In this letter published in the July 8, 1915 issue of The Livingston Post, she directly addresses girls enrolled in Montana canning clubs. She provides advice on growing and harvesting peas, and provides canning information. What stands out to me about this message is her closing paragraph:

“Keep up the good work. Remember, perseverance wins. Your motto is “To Make the Best Better.”

4-H alumni will instantly recognize the phrase. To Make the Best Better would be recognized as the official 4-H motto 12 years later in 1927, and remains to this day.

Augusta Dillman Evans, 1885–1970, was inducted into the National 4-Hall of Fame Hall of Fame in 2008.