At present, most Alabamians make their livings off the farm. Before the mid-20th century, this wasn’t the case and a lot of group activities were very much farm-related.

Oct. 12, 1911 – One of the features of the Morgan County fair, which opened in Hartselle today is exhibits by the boys’ corn clubs of the various precincts of the county and the awarding of 21 prizes.

Oct. 16, 1911 – Prof. A. B. Murphree, president of the boys’ corn club, reported a very enthusiastic contest among the boys. Roy Oden, the 15-year-old son of Superintendent of Education P. A. Oden, won the first prize, he having raised 102 bushels of corn to the acre.

Oct. 27, 1912 – Superintendent of Education P. A. Oden, who has been very successful in arousing interest in the boys’ corn club and the girls’ tomato and canning club, was awarded the citizenship prize Saturday offered by the Commercial Club. This club is composed of the most prominent merchants and professional men in Hartselle. The judges appointed to make the awards were I. J. Kent, Rev. R. L. Quinn, and Prof. J. M. Phagan. Prizes were also awarded to the following boys and girls: Alma Jones, Ona Oden, Artie Atkins, Lee McCarley; Onie Sharp, Ruthie Suit, Audrey Entrekin, Annie Mae Higdon, and Ola Williams

Dec. 16, 1916 – Much has been done in the matter of encouraging the farmers through the cooperative efforts of the federal and state governments. The Morgan County farm demonstrator has been instrumental in organizing community

clubs, ,also boys’ pig, corn and calf clubs.

May 16, 1933 – A graduating class of 236 members at Alabama Polytechnic institute received their diplomas this morning in Langdon Hall at Auburn. The Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural education was received by John Cooper Sloan of Hartselle.

May 28, 1934 – The health contest which began last fall with the 4-H club girls participating has closed with the exception of final examinations to be held here June 16. Miss Erien Rowe,Morgan County home demonstration agent, with headquarters in Hartselle, made the announcement. Dr. L. B. Murphree, county health officer, selects from each club girls who have made the greatest improvement and also the healthiest girls. Those selected will have until June 16 to make further improvements and prepare for the final examinations. Girls winning the final contest will be given a free short course at Auburn in August.

Nov. 1, 1935 – The Eva FFA chapter will hold a guessing contest on Chilean nitrate demonstration to determine how much corn has been made on the plot that used this fertilizer.

May 14, 1936 – Dr. L. R. Murphree, county health officer, is spending some time this month once again examining 4-H Club girls to determine the healthiest county girl. The lucky young lady will be offered a prize, the exact nature of which is yet to be determined.

Feb. 18, 1943 – A “Victory Garden” for every farm family in the Cotaco school community is the goal set by the FFAs and FHAs for 1943.

March 13, 1956 – The Betty Crocker Homemaker of Tomorrow award was given recently to Mary Grace Morrow, one of many MCTS students who have been recognized recently.

April 21, 1956 – Mary Grace Morrow, an outstanding MCTS student who is also state president of the New Homemakers Club, attended the state executive committee meeting at Tuskegee Institute today. Between June 6-10, 1955, she was in attendance at the organization’s tenth national meeting at Pine Bluff, Ark.

June 11, 1959 – John Warren, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Warren, is in Birmingham today for the purpose of receiving a $100 reward, this being the prize for showing a prize calf in a recent exposition.