Main building of Camp Rayner on Lake Diefenbaker, Saskatchewan.

Bio/Historical Note: John George Rayner was born 1 Oct. 1890 in London, England. At age 2 his family came to Canada, settling on a farm near Virden, Manitoba. After completing his high school education there, he attended the Manitoba College of Agriculture in Winnipeg and graduated with a BSA in 1913. In 1914 Rayner was employed as agricultural representative with the Saskatchewan Department of Agriculture, his district taking in a large portion of the northwest part of the settled area of the province. With an appointment in 1918 as director of boys' and girls' club work at the Extension Department at the U of S in Saskatoon, Rayner began a 34-year association with the rural young people of Saskatchewan. He was dedicated to the principle of development of the individual, and was one of the founders of the Canadian Council of Boys' and Girls' work in 1933. Rayner served as the council's president in 1937 and 1947, and was instrumental in getting the name "4-H" applied to rural youth clubs in Canada. He served as director of the Extension Department from 1920 until the time of his death in 1952. Rayner was a charter member of the Canadian Society of Technical Agriculturists (now the Agricultural Institute of Canada) of which he became a fellow. He was also a charter member of the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists. In 1965 the 4-H Foundation's Camp Rayner was named in Rayner’s honour, and in 1973 he was posthumously named to Saskatchewan's Hall of Fame. John Rayner died in Saskatoon on 30 June 1952.

Bio/Historical Note: As early as 1913 Agriculture Societies were sponsoring organizations for the youth the "Farm Boys Club and the Farm Girls Club". The Saskatchewan Agriculture Extension Department promoted the idea of separate classes for the juveniles to exhibit and judge their produce or livestock at local fairs. The "Farm Boys and Farm Girls Clubs" were combined and the name changed to "4-H Clubs" in 1952 and the motto became, "Learn To Do By Doing".

Posed group photo of one of the earliest Homecraft Clubs in Saskatchewan, the Star City club. Edith C. Rowles, instructor, standing at left.

Bio/Historical Note: As early as 1913 Agriculture societies were sponsoring the "Farm Boys' Club and the Farm Girls' Club,” organizations for youth. The Saskatchewan Agriculture Extension Department promoted the idea of separate classes for youth to exhibit and judge their produce or livestock at local fairs. The Farm Boys’ Clubs and Farm Girls’ Clubs were combined and the name changed to "4-H Clubs" in 1952 and the motto became "Learn To Do By Doing.”

This fonds contains material relating to all activities undertaken by the Extension Division. These records generally contain correspondence, minutes, reports, and memoranda; as well as publications and bulletins, and information on various provincial and national associations, societies, or clubs.

Homecraft members sitting and standing on a lawn underneath some trees.

Bio/Historical Note: As early as 1913 Agriculture societies were sponsoring the "Farm Boys Club and the Farm Girls Club,” organizations for youth. The Saskatchewan Agriculture Extension Department promoted the idea of separate classes for youth to exhibit and judge their produce or livestock at local fairs. The "Farm Boys and Farm Girls Clubs" were combined and the name changed to "4-H Clubs" in 1952 and the motto became "Learn To Do By Doing.”