There are many opportunities for kids to participate in the 4-H program.

The main project area that is still important to our county is livestock. There are a lot more learning opportunities in livestock than just showing at the county fair, although that is also a very important learning opportunity. Recently, there were 25 4-H’ers and parents whot attended a livestock tour to Iowa State University and Swine Genetics International. They were able to tour the meats lab, anatomy lab, canine rehabilitation center, and the small and large animal hospitals at the university. The group also got the experience of touring a large boar collection business at Swine Genetics International. With opportunities like this, kids are able to see what other learning opportunities are out there that deal with livestock. It will maybe spark their interest to want to work with agriculture or animals in the future.

Another upcoming event that is coming up is livestock quality assurance and ethics training. This training is a requirement for all of our youths (grades three and older for swine, and grade six and older for all other species) who are planning on showing livestock at county fair. At this training, the youths learn a lot about animal care and well-being. Some of the different lessons the kids are taught are record keeping on their animals, administering proper injections, reading labels, facilities and handling, bio-security, and speaking up for animal agriculture. The 4-H kids are taught that animal care is important and 4-H kids that show livestock take a lot of pride in making sure their animals are cared for in the best ways. The animals will perform better and be more productive if they are comfortable and well cared for. Many of the 4-H kids who are showing hogs, fitting steers, doing chores, stacking hay and cleaning pens are getting the knowledge it takes to make dirt and rain into food to not only feed our state, but other countries. With the different livestock opportunities out there for the 4-H kids, it’s all about the kids learning real life.

Megan Thorson is the 4-H program coordinator for the Freeborn County Extension Service.