Quote: Sticking my head out again (Hi, the kid's still here, and I had way too much fun getting Baaachus into his house tonight) to say that I mentioned to Andrea that I'm hoping we (BYC, and chicken people in general) can find a way to get better birds into the hands of 4-H kids, because my tendency is to think that if the genetics aren't there, the possibility that kids are going to have a satisfying experience with their project animals isn't high. I wish there were more extension agents and really knowledgable senior 4-Hers to advise younger members, too: a lot of the chickens I saw at the fair this year were under-fed, dirty, and in general not what should be shown, and when I was in animal projects it was the Junior Leaders in my club and at the county level who gave me the most guidance on show prep.
Unfortunately, 4-H is a volunteer based program, so it takes volunteers to make it better! I have heard numerous times over the years about how difficult it has been for folks to get started in 4-H, and we are just really really lucky to be in Snohomish County where 4-H is a super active program.
Get this. Last weekend was the annual Leader's Appreciation dinner that the Extension office here puts on to thank all the 4-H leaders. Our fair Poultry Superintendant has been an active 4-H leader for 37 years this year! I thought that was a long time!!! But there were about 10 more people after she got her yearly pin awarded to her, that went up! Some had been volunteering in the program for almost 50 YEARS!!!!! DH and I are always truly amazed. But up here, the 4-H program is like a huge extended family. I know I wasn't the only one in the room with tears as the last 15 or so volunteers got up for their pins!
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