by Luke Hendryx, Ag and Natural Resource Extension Agent, Brewster & Jeff Davis Counties
Youth Development programs have experienced a paradigm shift over the past several decades. Where many of these programs formally placed a large focus on the treatment and prevention of negative behaviors, now many youth development organizations place a greater emphasis on instilling life and leadership skills as a part of a more robust positive youth development approach. As the largest youth development organization in Texas, reaching over 500,000 youth annually, Texas 4H has also expanded its programming areas to provide opportunities for our growing youth population, however the organization continues to rely on its foundational elements that lie within program areas such as livestock projects.
When you mention 4H to someone unfamiliar with the organization, there is a strong possibility that youth livestock projects are one of the first things that will come to their mind. Why not Robotics, Public Speaking, Performing Arts, Photography, Consumer Education or any of the other multitudes of project options? The reason for this is that the organization has relied on livestock projects as the backbone of the organization for decades. This is in large part due to the life skills development that can be attributed to participation in livestock exhibition.
Depending on the species, livestock exhibitors can dedicate up to 10 months to a single livestock project. Additionally, youth participants begin to understand the high level of responsibility and commitment that is required when an animal is in their care. Much like with other competitive events, practice makes perfect, and in the case of livestock projects, a lack of time and effort invested in the feeding, training, and grooming of the project animal directly correlates with the outcome on show day. While animals are judged based on a combination of conformation characteristics and body condition, exhibitors are also judged on their showmanship skills, which are honed during countless hours of preparation and practice. Showmanship, which depends largely on a cooperative animal, is pivotal, and as such it is one of the most important aspects of the livestock project. Like all good things, these skills take time and effort to develop.
Lastly, livestock projects help to bridge the ever-widening knowledge gap that today’s youth have regarding food and fiber production. As our society continues to grow at historic rates, providing sustainable agricultural resources for food and clothing will become increasingly difficult for the next generation. By encouraging our young people to become involved in youth organizations that provide them with insight into this industry early on, we are helping to cultivate life skills that will translate into another generation of healthy, thriving Texans.
For information regarding Texas 4H please contact the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension office for Brewster and Jeff Davis Counties at (432)-837-6207, or by email at luke.hendryx@ag.tamu.edu .
