Learn by doing. This is the slogan of 4-H, which students across Minnesota live out every summer through their livestock projects. These projects allow students to raise and train animals, as well as experience agriculture up close.
Each year, nearly 2,000 4-H’ers exhibit livestock at the Minnesota State Fair, and that is only a fraction of the students who show at county fairs across the state. Minnesota's 87 county programs allow youth to show off their projects and receive recognition for the hard work they put in all year long.
Matthew Traver, a senior from Carver County, says that 4-H is something that makes students think about something bigger than themselves. It is an activity that brings the community together surrounding common interests and teaches youth that they will get results from the effort they put in.
Traver is a relatively new 4-H’er, having started his experience in 8th grade. For him, showing is about personal growth. His project has grown from his first Hereford calf five years ago to a small herd of several Herefords, which he recently sold to purchase an Angus steer this summer.
Youth like Traver learn by doing in many other ways. Trent Sip, a junior from Norman County, says that half of the students in his school do not understand much about where their food comes from.
“I’d say 50% of the class knows [where their food comes from]. Out of the people in my class, ten of us live on farms and work there, probably 20 more live in the country and have some aspect of it,” Sip said.
Sip has been involved in 4-H since 2nd grade and credits his older brother for helping him get more involved.
“Family is a big part of [4-H]. It’s a really good thing when you have a lot of people behind you watching you and making sure everything gets done,” Sip said.
There are 39 animal science projects for youth to pursue in 4-H, and 18 different animal projects to explore. State-wide webinars like the monthly ’Down on the Farm’ series bring speakers and activities to youth grades K-3 and allow young Minnesota 4-H’ers to explore what an animal project might look like for them. Other webinars dive deep into one specific project area and are open for any age, like the upcoming ‘Back in the Bunny Barn’ seminar featuring Dr. Kris Nelson, a veterinarian who will dive deep into rabbit care. For older 4-H’ers, in-person county-wide activity days or seminars allow them to ask questions and learn more from experts in their local area. Being in 4-H has introduced many young people to working in agriculture, and allowed them to reap the benefits of a hardworking job.
“Working on a farm is one of the best things you can do to build your work ethic. I wake up every morning at 6 a.m., do chores, go to school, come back, do chores and make sure everything’s good,” Sip said. “Once calving season comes around I’m always home, making sure cows are calving and when they do, they do it safely.”
In the future, both boys stated their 4-H involvement made a difference in their plans. Traver is looking forward to graduating high school this spring. Sip plans to pursue commercial aviation and has already begun taking college courses. Being in 4-H has pushed him to learn on his own and build skills such as a strong work ethic and conversational skills which have set him above others his age.
“You learn to be a good sport and work with other people. I’ve been to the State Fair twice and I’ve had people come up to me and ask tons of questions. I would say it works on your social skills a lot,” Sip said.
Sip and Traver are part of the group of Minnesota youth who own and raise their own animals, however, this is not a requirement for showing livestock in 4-H. Youth without access to their own animals can be part of a lease program, where they work with the animal’s owner to learn about the project and show an animal at the county and/or state fair. This program allows youth who cannot own animals the opportunity to grow and learn within 4-H.
“4-H absolutely makes a difference in what youth know about agriculture. They learn what it takes to feed the world. You learn that even if nobody wants to do it, sometimes it has to be done. It teaches you how the food is made and what it takes to grow it and all of that,” Sip said.
Over 2,000 students like Traver and Sip find that livestock projects have helped them develop life skills for the future. For these students, their animals mean more than just a summer hobby.
“Don’t give up,” Sip said is his best advice to other young showmen. “You’re gonna feel down and like you’re hitting a wall [in your livestock projects] but you have to stop, take a step back, look at what you could do better, and keep going.”
To learn more about 4-H, visit extension.umn.edu/4-h/about-4-h.