Well, maybe not that clean if you consider the dirt floor in the arena, the hair, feathers and fur from the animals and the hay, food and water waiting in the barns.
But it’s good fun. Just ask close to 200 Pictou County 4H members who work on their projects for eight months of the year and had the option of showcasing them at the Pictou North Colchester Exhibition Wednesday (Sept. 8) for 4H Day.
“You get to learn more and experience things you probably wouldn’t get a chance to,” said 12-year-old Emily Bowron of Sunrise Trail 4-H Club, who was waiting to show her rabbit.
There are currently eight 4H clubs in Pictou County with a total of about 170 members. Ages range from 9 to 14 years and children have the opportunity to work on livestock and non-livestock projects.
According to Dawn Barrington-Hodgson, agricultural and 4H leadership co-ordinator, 4H gives youth an opportunity to test their hand at things that normally aren’t taught in school or even practised in many homes.
“It teaches leadership skills and life skills,” she said. “A lot of schools don’t practise sewing or cooking anymore but they can learn this in 4H. If they choose livestock it teaches them responsibility. All of the projects teach them about time management because they all have a deadline they need to meet.”
Barrie Bent of Truro, who was judging the rabbit competitions yesterday, said all the kids in 4H take their jobs very seriously and make sure projects look the best.
“It is one of the best programs around for kids,” he said. “They get to meet other kids from across country in different events and learn different things about each other’s projects. There is also a speaking competition and this really helps in school. People say they can recognize 4-H members when they go to job interviews.”
He said someone unfamiliar with the rules of judging 4H livestock competitions wouldn’t realize the work that the students put into getting their animal ready for show.
For example, Bent said, in the rabbit conformation, he looks at the breed of the animals, colours, type of fur and size. He said these are decisions the 4H student can have some control over when breeding the rabbit and how it is cared for.
In rabbit showmanship, he said, the focus is more on the youth and how they present the animal during the competition.
“This is about their knowledge and ability to show the animal,” he said. “The rabbit projects are a good event because they don’t take up a lot of time and you don’t have to live on a farm to have one. Some kids are also timid around larger animals so this is a good introduction for them.”
Hodgson said usually once a child has entered 4H they are in it for the long haul. She said the entire club will meet once a month and then people involved in different projects such as livestock, photography or sewing will come together two or three times a month after this.
“They usually start out and stay until the end,” she said. “I think they stay because they make friends and have fun and that keeps bringing them back.”
She said 4H will have a membership drive in November during which time members are invited to join any of Pictou County’s clubs.
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