The history of 4-H in Black Hawk County dates back to 1912, when A.A. Burger, an animal husbandry specialist, was installed as the county's first extension agent. Burger's appointment marked the beginning of the first phase of the development of 4-H in Black Hawk County. Waterloo and Cedar Falls businesses financed club work in the first year, and Burger's expenses were covered by farmers through the Farm Improvement Association of Cedar Falls. In his second year, Burger started eight corn and garden clubs in the county, enrolling 100 boys and girls.

    Burger was joined in 1916 by Tura Hawk, who was appointed as Black Hawk County's Home Demonstration Agent, giving the county the distinction of employing the first home demonstration agent in the state. Hawk wasted little time in her role, promptly forming two sewing clubs of sixty Black Hawk County girls in her first year. In 1917, the county added another club when Professor F.E. Fuller of Iowa State Teachers College formed a poultry club.

    The 1920s saw several outstanding achievements by Black Hawk County 4-Hers. By 1924, demonstration and judging contests were integral components of the Black Hawk County 4-H program. In that year, the boys' judging team took first prize at the Iowa State Fair and the county boys' demonstration team claimed the Waterloo Dairy Cattle Congress championship. In 1925, the Black Hawk County bread demonstration team represented Iowa at the National Club Congress in Chicago. The following year, Gerten Golinvaux of Waterloo became the first local        4-Her to win a trip through a 4-H club award, but his milk route responsibilities prevented him from making the trip to Washington, D.C.