GRANTS, N.M. – On September 1, 1990, Cibola County 4-H groups buried a time capsule along the newly developed River Walk on Santa Fe Avenue. This main street, which runs through Grants, is part of the historic Route 66 Corridor. Buried six inches underground, the capsule contained mementos from the youth of that time and a message to future generations.
4-H members—past and present—gathered on August 30, 2025, in celebration and reflection to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the time capsule’s burial, an event organized by Grants residents Dawn and Craig Chapman. Among them was past Ridgerunner 4-H group, Brandon Pemble.
A vice president of the Cibola County 4-H Council in 1990, Pemble shared, “The organization help shape my life.” He spoke about the leadership skills he developed through 4-H and emphasized how he matured as an adult personally and professionally. He stated, “The program today may incorporate new technologies and programs like robotics; however, its core values of growth, leadership, and community remain as strong as ever.”
Covered by years of dirt was a broken, brick paver meant to identify the location of the time capsule. Once surface dirt was removed, a commemorative plaque long since gone, a six-inch diameter PVC pipe—the vessel that housed the 4-H members’ treasures— was unearthed. Cracks in the pipe alarmed onlookers. When Craig Chapman began to saw open the capsule an onlooker noted, “There’s water leaking out.”
Carefully, participants spread out faded photographs, rusted pins, a clover logoed bumper sticker, club T-shirts, and hand-written notes with smeared ink. A list of names and landline, phone numbers—perhaps those of 4-H youth from 1990—offered a faint connection to yesteryear. Unfortunately, many of the items had suffered deterioration. Even those sealed in plastic were not as well preserved as once hoped.
The essence of an era still held emotional meaning to all present. Current Ridgerunner 4-H parent Sheyanne Carwile, whose two children are active members, shared, “We’d like to continue the tradition,” by creating a new time capsule. A demonstration to how the 4-H mission has endured to remain the largest youth program in the U.S., which now serves over six million youth.
In 1902, originally the Boys’ and Girls’ Agricultural Club, focused to educate rural youth. Today 4-H continues to foster independence through hands-on learning and mentorship, led by parents and other volunteers who teach proficiency in trades like welding, leatherwork, sewing, and raising livestock. Rooted in the 4-H values of Head, Heart, Hands, and Health, the program teaches lifelong talents, hard work, and community involvement. For over 120 years, 4-H youth still live by its pledge.
Part of the USDAfunded Cooperative Extension System, 4-H has expanded to STEM and includes the 4-H CLOVER platform which offers interactive, expert-led online courses.
4-H offers engaging experiences like time capsules, local events, and fairs that encourage youth to demonstrate their comprehension in areas from livestock to the arts. Through friendly competition, 4-H’ers build knowledge and responsibility that will benefit them into adulthood.
Families interested in 4H can contact their local Cooperative Extension office or research the National 4-H Council website and select their local state and county. Cibola County 4-H is part of the NM State University and Cibola County Extension Office, cibolaextension.nmsu.edu/4 h.html.