Tennessee 4-H enrollment trends, 1960-1979

The purpose of this study was to develop an overview of the trends of growth and decline of the Tennessee 4-H Program over a twenty-year time period. Areas of study were total state and district enrollment, total state and district adult leader enrollment, state and district enrollment by age, state and district enrollment by sex, state enrollment by place of residence and state enrollment by years of membership.

Data for the study were compiled into tables from Tennessee 4-H Youth Enrollment Forms 1960-1979. The forms differed slightly over this 20-year time period. The basic data on membership and leaders were contained in all the forms with additional breakdowns added as needed had been determined by either state or national 4-H offices.

The major findings of the study were;

The Tennessee 4-H enrollment has had a major overall increase as compared to an overall decrease in the number of adult leaders. The number of members per leader varied annually.

All districts followed the state trend in 4-H member enrollment of decline in the early 1960's and major increases until the late 1970's except District IV. District IV showed little change in member or leader enrollment. The other four districts were on the same overall trend as the state for leadership enrollment.

Tennessee 4-H enrollment by age showed a marked growth trend in 9, 10, 11 and 12 year olds. The 12 and 13 year olds showed a gradual increase in enrollment. The 14, 15 and 16 and over age groups remained in a stable trend.

Tennessee 4-H Enrollment by Sex runs a parallel trend in all districts. The female enrollment has been greater each year than the male.

First and second year 4—H memberships have greatly increased during the study period. Third, fourth and fifth year memberships have had slow but continuous upward trend while the trend for numbers of six or more years has remained on a level trend.

Farm 4-H members have continuously dropped in membership while the Rural Non-Farm 4-H members have been on a very steady increase throughout the study. A slow but steady increase trend in Urban and City 4-H membership was shown.

Implications and recommendations were included.