I am in the youth life skill development business and have been for about 30 years. Specifically, I have been a part of a 4-H youth program since I was about six years old following my older brother around with his livestock projects. I am often asked what do livestock projects do for young people? As I look at “fluffy cows” I am reminded again how these livestock projects are simply a vehicle to teach positive youth development and life skills.
Let me first start with the “what.” Our research has shown that youth participating in livestock projects have high levels of confidence and development in areas like responsibility, work ethic, caring, teamwork, and goal setting.
More importantly, here is the “why.” I distinctly recall as a high school student waking up at 5:30 every morning to go feed and clean my steers before school. Then, as soon as school was over, I would head home, change clothes, and be back at the barn to work with them until my mother called me in for dinner.
Quite frankly, as a grown adult and a professional, I am not sure I have ever worked with or cared for animals like I did those cattle (and swine) projects while I was growing up. Nothing taught me more about responsibility and the importance of agriculture then those projects.
Chris Boleman