Growing up on a farm in upstate New York, I have always had this special connection with farming and raising animals. Last Friday evening, May 30, I stopped by the Virginia Beach 4H Livestock Club show and sale to meet up with Joanna, a young lady that the Mr. Rogers Windows Foundation helps support through our window recycling program. Joanna reminds me of my sister, Kathy, who was part of a 4H program when we were kids.
The Virginia Beach 4H Livestock Club began in 1949 as a youth development organization whose purpose was to instill confidence, skill, competence, and leadership in young people by encouraging their community involvement and contribution. The 4-H name stands for Head, Heart, Hands, and Health: that means clearer thinking, greater loyalty, larger service, and better living. Through the Virginia Beach club, children are given the opportunity to learn and actually experience raising, training, and showcasing their livestock during a community show and sale. They learn the daily routine of feeding and caring for animals, such as hogs, goats, sheep, steer, and poultry animals. Plus they gain understanding about the financial responsibilities involved in raising farm animals and the return on that investment when it comes to this show and sale.
It was a pleasure to see Joanna and the show and to enjoy the pride and confidence of the 4H members as they presented their livestock.
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