An Urban Legend: 4-H Is Not For City Folks (Myth Busted!)
Growing up, I used to love to go visit my grandfather and his wife and kids. They lived in a rural area of Arizona and always had new animals that we would play with during our stay. They were extremely active in 4-H and always had new projects to show us-- horses, sheep, pigs, rabbits, chickens, ducks. My aunt and uncle were close to my age and I was so jealous of what I perceived to be their "farm" life and the amazing 4-H club that went with it.
Back home, we didn't know anyone in 4-H. We lived on a cul-de-sac in Tucson. The 4-H folks, it seemed, lived out on land where they could keep their animals. So, I would covet those kids and their lifestyle when we went to fair, I'd soak up every second that we spent at my grandpa's house, and I'd look longingly out the window of the car when we drove past properties with livestock.
It wasn't until three years ago that 4-H touched me again on a personal level and became part of our family's lifestyle. John, the kids, and I had recently moved back to Tucson. Our kids' middle school happened to have a flock of chickens, and several of the students decided that it would be fun to show the chickens at the Pima County Fair. Our daughter decided that she wanted to be a part of this. In order to do so, the kids decided to join a local 4-H group: Tanque Verde Community (TVC). We headed off to the monthly meeting and started to learn about the many opportunities that we had no idea 4-H had to offer.
Our 4-H group (the 4 H's stand for head, heart, hands, and health) offered several projects for the kids to be part of-- anything from poultry, pigeons, dogs, goats, sewing, vet sciences, photography, and drama. After joining those project groups, the kids would meet regularly at separate meetings and participate in different activities relating to those topics. Those going to fair were also required to do community service work, participate in fund-raising (which pays for the awards at the shows), and take a quality assurance class to ensure that they were carefully monitoring their animal's health and care.
Our first year, Jillian (then in 6th grade) joined the poultry project and showed one of the chickens owned by the school. She named her Crazy Hair Day.
Chickens, apparently, are slightly addictive. They are also legal to own within city limits, with certain restrictions (primarily set in place to be respectful to your neighbors). Year two of 4-H consisted of raising seven chicks and taking four of those to fair. After all, it's more fun to get to play with your own chickens every single day! We learned how to bathe chickens and transport multiple chickens and choose the best eggs for showing.
We were so proud of Jillian's 4-H accomplishments that we purchased another show bird for her at fair, a bantam rooster (we don't live within city limits) that she named Vincent.
And of course Vincent needed friends....
Which led to Jillian learn about hatching chicks from eggs...
Jillian (and therefore, our family!) is now in her third year of 4-H and is more involved than ever.
This year, she is still participating in the poultry project, but has added sewing, photography, and vet sciences. She already participated in one 4-H show this year with Vincent.
While at that show, she found Annabelle, and added a fifth project: rabbits!
Today, it's easier than ever to get involved with 4-H and learn about the many exciting projects they have for students. Parents can volunteer, too! I can almost guarantee that the rest of the family will get involved, as well-- it's too fun NOT to. The best part: you DON'T have to live in a rural area to be involved with 4-H. You don't even have to have animals to be involved in 4-H (although, that may change once you join!). 4-H provides an excellent opportunity to help teach kids responsibility, citizenship, community service, and communication. For more information on local 4-H opportunities, visit https://extension.arizona.edu/4h/pima.
P.S. That first chicken that Jillian showed was retired from the school program this year and is now living the high life with us here at our house. Jillian plans to take her back to fair this year!
Back home, we didn't know anyone in 4-H. We lived on a cul-de-sac in Tucson. The 4-H folks, it seemed, lived out on land where they could keep their animals. So, I would covet those kids and their lifestyle when we went to fair, I'd soak up every second that we spent at my grandpa's house, and I'd look longingly out the window of the car when we drove past properties with livestock.
It wasn't until three years ago that 4-H touched me again on a personal level and became part of our family's lifestyle. John, the kids, and I had recently moved back to Tucson. Our kids' middle school happened to have a flock of chickens, and several of the students decided that it would be fun to show the chickens at the Pima County Fair. Our daughter decided that she wanted to be a part of this. In order to do so, the kids decided to join a local 4-H group: Tanque Verde Community (TVC). We headed off to the monthly meeting and started to learn about the many opportunities that we had no idea 4-H had to offer.
Our 4-H group (the 4 H's stand for head, heart, hands, and health) offered several projects for the kids to be part of-- anything from poultry, pigeons, dogs, goats, sewing, vet sciences, photography, and drama. After joining those project groups, the kids would meet regularly at separate meetings and participate in different activities relating to those topics. Those going to fair were also required to do community service work, participate in fund-raising (which pays for the awards at the shows), and take a quality assurance class to ensure that they were carefully monitoring their animal's health and care.
Our first year, Jillian (then in 6th grade) joined the poultry project and showed one of the chickens owned by the school. She named her Crazy Hair Day.
Chickens, apparently, are slightly addictive. They are also legal to own within city limits, with certain restrictions (primarily set in place to be respectful to your neighbors). Year two of 4-H consisted of raising seven chicks and taking four of those to fair. After all, it's more fun to get to play with your own chickens every single day! We learned how to bathe chickens and transport multiple chickens and choose the best eggs for showing.
We were so proud of Jillian's 4-H accomplishments that we purchased another show bird for her at fair, a bantam rooster (we don't live within city limits) that she named Vincent.
And of course Vincent needed friends....
Which led to Jillian learn about hatching chicks from eggs...
Jillian (and therefore, our family!) is now in her third year of 4-H and is more involved than ever.
This year, she is still participating in the poultry project, but has added sewing, photography, and vet sciences. She already participated in one 4-H show this year with Vincent.
While at that show, she found Annabelle, and added a fifth project: rabbits!
Today, it's easier than ever to get involved with 4-H and learn about the many exciting projects they have for students. Parents can volunteer, too! I can almost guarantee that the rest of the family will get involved, as well-- it's too fun NOT to. The best part: you DON'T have to live in a rural area to be involved with 4-H. You don't even have to have animals to be involved in 4-H (although, that may change once you join!). 4-H provides an excellent opportunity to help teach kids responsibility, citizenship, community service, and communication. For more information on local 4-H opportunities, visit https://extension.arizona.edu/4h/pima.
P.S. That first chicken that Jillian showed was retired from the school program this year and is now living the high life with us here at our house. Jillian plans to take her back to fair this year!
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