A. B. Graham

Who was A. B. Graham?

Albert Belmont Graham was born in Lena, Ohio. He was a country schoolmaster and agriculture extension pioneer at Ohio State University. Graham taught at an integrated rural school in Springfield Township, Clark County.

Later, Graham worked at the United States Department of Agriculture as the Federal Extension Director. On January 15, 1902, Graham held the first meeting of the agriculture experiment club in the basement of the Clark County Post Office in Springfield, Ohio. Through his diligent efforts, A. B. Graham is considered the impetus for founding the 4-H program across the United States. Graham as a young child was given the responsibility of raising a baby calf or pig and made money.