This week is the local JR. Livestock Show. When I stopped by to see my sister this morning before she showed her pig, Kitty, it occured to me how many kids think that those who show animals are the lame kids who often are not expected to get off the farm and will probably live with their parents forever. Well that is true in some cases but most of the kids who grow up in 4-H and FFA often are the ones who suceed and make a name for themselves.
For a kid who grew up in 4-H and is now in college, I am so glad for all of the knowledge that I obtained while growing up on a farm and I often wonder if those who didn't grow up in 4-H had the same types of experiences and the knowledge that most farm kids obtain just growing up.
Society often looks at youth as adolesents who do nothing but get in trouble but most 4-H kids are also straight A students and involved in many sports or extraciricular activities. As I walked through the swine barn it is amazing to see how many of the kids that I grew up with are now being sucessful in college and have obtained really great jobs all because of the knowledge that they have gained while growing up.
SOciety also thinks that 4-h and FFA only involves livestock, but that is not the case. There is also cooking, crafts, academics, and agriculture. It is amazing how many youth earn scholarships through 4-H and how many employers look at the 4-H involvement as experience in the working world.
I was in 4-H, and I do notice that 4-Hers at our school were some of the very few that went on to college. 4-H is definitely more than farm stuff! I was in it for 10 years and never showed any livestock. I did do crafts, cooking, fashion design, gun safety, and many other things! It was a great experience. I think the best thing I got out of it was the public speaking skills.
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