History of the Club

Rockland Boys 4-H is one of the older clubs in the county. It is believed to have been started in 1928 when Jim Cavanaugh, the county agent, requested Joseph Hoskens Sr. try to organize a 4-H Club. Joseph Hoskens Sr. was the leader for 6 years. He was followed by Robert Martin for 2 years. Joseph Hoskens Jr. followed him for 3 years. Brother Ed Hoskens took over for 1 year.

When Ed went to service in 1940 John Wellens took over with 17 members. The number of members fluctuated going down to as low as 3 members. Now days that would not even be considered a club because it needs to be 6 members. (Note from way back.) Had as many as 26 members in the '40s. In 1946 Ed Hoskens again became the leader. Projects were dairy, sheep, and poultry. 43% of record books were not completed.

Irv Peeters took over as General Leader in 1952 with 12 members. The number of members grew and so did the projects. One year we had 14 different projects. Rockland 4-H was primarily a dairy club but also became a Nature Conservation Club with 19 members enrolled in that project one year. Also had a big beef project with 10 members one year. The club Herdsmanship and Dairy Award 3 consecutive years so they could keep the plaques. The club won the Community Builders and Drama Festival for a few years. The speaking contest was a big thing many years ago. One year 12 boys entered. The Wild Life Refuge was a big project. The club won State honors. 9 boys and 1 leader went on a 3 day expense paid trip in June for several years.

The club had a baseball team for years. They played other 4-H teams in the 4-H league and then played other teams or else themselves on Sunday afternoons with practice on Wednesday nights. They also had square dances. The boys were always proud of the help they got from their parents. They always worked hard.

In 1998, the Rockland Boys and their sister club the Merry Maids combined to be one club. Irv Peeters and Darlene Simoens are the Co-General Leaders. It is presently called the Rockland 4-H Club. The club has done many food stands for auctions and horse shows. They also have done cleanup of Voyageur Park in which over one ton of cans were picked up and sold. They have been involved in the 4-H Basketball Tournaments and Booyah Fund Raisers. There are 51 members and 7 leaders. The club is active in Community Service, Ceramics, Photography, Poultry, and Foods Projects