Moove On Over We Have Some New Showmen In Town

When people hear 4-H they often think of our animal science program. Although it is a small program in our county, compared to the other things we offer, it is still very popular. A few years back, to make sure our youth had the knowledge they needed to be competitive and still have fun we started a mandatory animal science workshop. Last year we combined it with our animal give out as well.
About 60 people attended this year's workshop. Families came from as far away as Richmond and Bladen Counties as well as our own. Youth lead the majority of workshops with adults on standby to help out. The workshops included; project records, poultry, rabbits, heifers and steers, as well as goats.
We started the day with project records. Shea Ann DeJarnette, the Robeson County 4-H Agent taught that workshop. She gave everyone the forms they needed and went through them by age to help them understand what they would need to put in their project records to have an award winning record book.
Benjamin Herndon taught the youth about poultry. He told them about feeding and watering, how to handle them. He gave them lessons on the difference between hens and roosters as well as broilers and laying hens. Although the laying hen chicks were there for give out, Benjamin also brought older chickens so the youth could touch them and learn how to handle them when they get bigger.
Anthony Bullard was one of our most popular presenters because he brought the cutest and smallest animals out, the rabbits. He taught the youth how to pick up their rabbits, about food, treats and a few other neat tips such as placing a piece of wood in the pen for them. One of the other great tips he has is freezing a two liter bottle of water and placing it in the pen on hot days so the rabbits can stretch out on it and stay cool.
Santiago Acuna Robinson taught our youth about caring for goats. He gave them details not only on feed but also taught them about worms and mites. Things that our youth need to look for. After lunch Santiago, Tiffanee Conrad Acuna, the Livestock Agent from Richmond County and Michelle Stumbo, the 4-H Agent from Robeson County worked with our two youth who will be showing goats. They learned how to clip their goats, sand the horns, work on the hooves and even got in the ring and practice showmanship. As one parent said, "I thought all we had to do was let it loose in a field, I had no idea how much is involved in raising a goat." The youth went home with their goats freshly groomed and ready for their new homes.
Michelle Stumbo taught the youth the tricks of the trade when it comes to raising cattle. Thanks Tony Bullard we had one that she could also give hands on showing lessons. Although the majority of youth at the workshop are not showing cattle they were interested in finding out what it takes and several are trying to figure out how they will talk their parents into letting them show next year now that they have a taste of it.
After all of the lessons we had a freshly cooked lunch by our 4-H volunteer and grill master Larry Russ. Then it was time to give out animals and let people go home. Benjamin helped herd chicks so everyone got 15 to take home. We had a lottery for the bunnies so everyone got theirs to take home. The two showing goats already had their goats named and had started bonding with them before leaving the building.
Overall it was a fun day and our youth and parents appeared to have learned a great deal. We will be giving out turkeys to those signed up on June 8th and will give out broilers in August. To see how our youth do please come to the Robeson Regional Fair, September 30-October 9 as they compete in animal shows to see how they did.