Training for Tomorrow - Sixth Decade 1953-1962
1953
William Allison, now County Director for all extension programs in Merced County retired.1954
County winners were chosen in: Dairy, Poultry, Garden, Beef, Sheep, Swine, and Rabbits.
1955
Omar Peck is 4-H Advisor. Meetings of Council moved from Farm Bureau office to Farm Advisors office. 4-H membership was expected to go over 1,000 which would establish a record high. Rudy Monosmith, State Director of 4-H programs was featured speaker at the 4-H Leaders Dinner.
Council discussed the following changes:
1. A new camp site
2. Hold dress revue on Saturday afternoon at Los Banos Fair
3. Move demonstration contest from the County 4-H Fair to another date. Thirty members attended Davis Conference.1956
Bob Cockcraft and Maxine Sherman were the 4-H Advisors. It was decided to combine the talent show and demonstration day. Camp Sylvester was selected as the new camp site. Camp fee was $7.50. Jerry Lundell was hired as camp director for $150.00. 
On stage at Camp Sylvester, camp director, Jerry Lundell coaches 4-H members in 1956
1957
The county had a quota of 34 for the State Convention. New Farm and Home Advisors were Alex Gibson and Gerry Wintz. Training was held for Club Officers and Junior Leaders.
1958
Key citizens in the county were contacted to form a 4-H Sponsoring Committee. There were 49 donors of $715.00. Seventeen Hi 4-H members went to Whitaker Hi 4-H Camp with Al Bizzini as leader. New council members were Rollo Spina and Floyd Farley. All Stars selected from gold star rank were: Annabelle Alberti and Anthony Coelho.
1959
Home Economics judging was added to the 4-H County Fair. Fourteen demonstrations went to a regional 4-H Field at Madera. Roger Fox was selected as an IFYE from California to Pakistan. Eight members attended a Junior Leader Conference that was held in Santa Barbara. Brenda Saville was the new 4-H Home Advisor. The following books were sent to Berkeley for state competition:
Ronnie Pometta, Gustine, Leadership, Tony Coelho, Dos Palos, Dairy, and Buddy Pond, Dos Palos, Beef
Demonstrations are great for developing public speaking, planning, and presentation skills.
1960
Demonstration Day was held in Los Banos. It was unanimously decided to drop the 4-H County Fair because the cost was more than any other event. The Home Economics portion is to be incorporated with Los Banos May Day Fair.
1961
Joan Dade became new 4-H Home Economics Advisor. It was suggested that the Los Banos Fair Manager be contacted about trying to get a state appropriation for a new building for 4-H displays. A 10 X 20 ft. space was allotted to exhibit Home Economics projects.
1962
Record books were limited to two books per project per club in National Awards Competition. There were 26 clubs with 916 members enrolled.
Merced County 4-H Program - from narrative reports