No, it's not just a bunch of weird farm kids.
4-H is America's largest youth development program, for kids ages 5-19 years old. It promotes hands-on learning for youth, and teaches responsibility, leadership, community service, and public speaking skills. It is led entirely by youth and by adult volunteers. People of all backgrounds are involved in 4-H, even city kids! The University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources 4-H Youth Development Program says about 4-H, "4-H projects and programs are focused around core content areas of citizenship, healthy living, and science, technology, engineering, and math".
There are tons of 4-H clubs scattered across the country. Each club offers multiple projects. Each project focuses on a specific topic - anything from sewing to baking, from woodworking to dogs, and from public speaking to yes, rabbits. Each year, many 4-Hers compete in their local County Fairs, or in their State Fair.
4-H is, as I'm sure you've guessed, AWESOME. The kids are really great, and tend to be enthusiastic, bright, and eager to learn. That means those of us in the ARBA world need to be really positive and encouraging to them, even if they irritate you. Remember we were all beginners once, and don't forget, these kids may just be the future of ARBA. Encourage them as much as possible, and if they enquire about your rabbits, do your best to sell them something good quality so that they are more inclined to stick with the rabbit hobby.
4-H is America's largest youth development program, for kids ages 5-19 years old. It promotes hands-on learning for youth, and teaches responsibility, leadership, community service, and public speaking skills. It is led entirely by youth and by adult volunteers. People of all backgrounds are involved in 4-H, even city kids! The University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources 4-H Youth Development Program says about 4-H, "4-H projects and programs are focused around core content areas of citizenship, healthy living, and science, technology, engineering, and math".
There are tons of 4-H clubs scattered across the country. Each club offers multiple projects. Each project focuses on a specific topic - anything from sewing to baking, from woodworking to dogs, and from public speaking to yes, rabbits. Each year, many 4-Hers compete in their local County Fairs, or in their State Fair.
4-H is, as I'm sure you've guessed, AWESOME. The kids are really great, and tend to be enthusiastic, bright, and eager to learn. That means those of us in the ARBA world need to be really positive and encouraging to them, even if they irritate you. Remember we were all beginners once, and don't forget, these kids may just be the future of ARBA. Encourage them as much as possible, and if they enquire about your rabbits, do your best to sell them something good quality so that they are more inclined to stick with the rabbit hobby.