4H for adults?

[atripp6120]

Hi everyone! I've looked around and googled a little but haven't found a whole lot of information and what I have found was lacking at best.

One of my kids is too old to be I'm 4H and my other, while he may be young enough (he's almost 15), he shows no real interest, whatsoever. He has Aspergers so if he doesn't really like it, he's not going to pursue it. It's just how he is and I don't want to push him into something long term if he doesn't care, especially when it comes to caring for an animal.

My question is, is there anything like 4H for adults? I absolutely love my birds and want to be around others like myself. I also want to learn more and be able to show off my flock. I know there are different shows and such but it would be great to find a group, like 4H, but for adults.

Thanks

 

[ShrekDawg]

Oddly enough, I was just at our local fair recently and overheard part of a presentation on almost this exact topic… what to do when the kids age out of 4H. So very similar. Anyway, they said there is something called Farm Bureau? And I guess they even have a special age group just for young people. So that might be something to look into maybe? I don’t know anything else about it, just that it exists lol

 

[Susan Skylark]

You can certainly show poultry open class at county and state fairs. Maybe look for poultry clubs or interest groups in your local area? Maybe a chapter of a national breed club? Maybe talk to your local extension office? You could also volunteer as a 4-h leader and help other kids get into poultry!

 

[Grind Hard Farm]

I'm a teen and I'm a part of the 4-H Archery! Sadly no, 4-H doesn't have any programs for adults, they only allow 5-18 year olds. Like @Susan Skylark mentioned you could volunteer.

 

[Pigeony]

I also wish there was a program like 4H for adults. Volunteering with 4H for kids wouldn't be the same as connecting with similarly-aged, like-minded people and doing activities with them. I unfortunately only got exposed to the idea of 4H after I was pretty much already too old to be a part of it.

 

[Susan Skylark]

That’s where your breed and poultry clubs come in (or start one!), especially in this digital age. My kids are Fourth generation 4-h but you only get out of it what you (as a parent and kid) are willing to put in. Some clubs have a mentor who likes bugs or archery or dairy cattle but most projects you have to go out there and find the info or be that mentor. I will say doing photography in this camera phone era is a little difficult, the kids just snap a photo with their phone and call it good. When you talk about film speed or iso or lighting or foreground their eyes glaze over, most just aren’t interested. I learned all this stuff on my own and am helping my son figure it out, but he’s interested in it. The idea of sitting around with like minded individuals doing a common interest is great in theory but in practice nobody is all that interested in something that fascinates you (I ended up judging field peas one year, haven’t a clue personally but the kid loved it and knew her stuff)! But it is pretty cool when you can find a mentor or friend who shares your passion, whatever it is.

 

[MROO]

Hi everyone! I've looked around and googled a little but haven't found a whole lot of information and what I have found was lacking at best.

One of my kids is too old to be I'm 4H and my other, while he may be young enough (he's almost 15), he shows no real interest, whatsoever. He has Aspergers so if he doesn't really like it, he's not going to pursue it. It's just how he is and I don't want to push him into something long term if he doesn't care, especially when it comes to caring for an animal.

My question is, is there anything like 4H for adults? I absolutely love my birds and want to be around others like myself. I also want to learn more and be able to show off my flock. I know there are different shows and such but it would be great to find a group, like 4H, but for adults.

Thanks

You've already joined the best one I've found ... BYC! While learning, experimenting and commenting back and forth on pretty much any topic (chicken and non-chicken related,) you'll invariably end up with a core handful of like-minded people. It's an instant 4H Club with a HUGE library of resources and 24/7 experienced advice! If you decide to participate in shows - local, state, national, whatever - you may even get the chance to meet up in-person. It's pretty cool!