4-H projects promote personal growth

A boy, who appeared to be around 9 years old, proudly held up his University of Idaho Extension 4‑H Youth Development project — a laying hen — for a pair of toddlers in a stroller to see at the Twin Falls County Fair.

“Do you want to pet her?” he asked, as the toddlers cautiously reached out their tiny hands to stroke its feathers.

The boy then fielded questions from the toddlers’ parents about his project, including identifying the breed of chicken he had raised.

It’s a scene demonstrating the power of the 4‑H program that Mike Knutz witnesses time and again as a 4‑H area Extension educator. 4‑H members gain far more than ribbons through their efforts to complete and show 4‑H animal and family and consumer sciences (FCS) projects at county fairs throughout Idaho. The projects advance the organization’s mission of helping youth acquire knowledge, develop life skills and form attitudes that empower them to become self-directed, productive and contributing members of society.

In the poultry barn at the Twin Falls fair in late August, the young boy Knutz observed demonstrated how 4‑H helped him develop communication skills, professionalism and confidence in sharing his knowledge. Knutz noted that the boy was on barn duty at the time, responsible for answering fairgoers’ questions while also watering and keeping watch over other 4‑H members’ birds.  

“The projects are just the vehicles we use to engage young people to build life skills,” Knutz said. “Through the whole process of that project, you’ve had to use financial skills, goal setting, work ethic, responsibility, communication, science, nutrition and other life skills.”

Raising animals

Kim Christiansen, of Blackfoot, estimates his children work 20-hour days during fair season between chores at home, tending their 4‑H animals and showing them in competitions. He and his wife, Lisa, don’t get much sleep either when it’s time for their kids to showcase the fruits of their labor.

“You have to be able to put in as much as the kids do and be right with them,” he explained.

4‑H is a family legacy for the Christiansens. Kim Christiansen, who raised 4‑H market and breeding sheep, put himself through college at Idaho State University in Pocatello with proceeds from selling his 4‑H animals. Now he’s watching his kids — Hesston, Tessaundra, Tate and Klarrissa — reap the program’s benefits. He’s certain the results are well worth the considerable effort his family puts into 4‑H.

“I’ve seen the kids mature, take ownership, and gain skills and confidence as a result of doing this,” Christiansen said. “They’ve had some hurdles, but I’ve watched them mature in their effort, and I’m proud of them for doing it."

Lisa Christiansen appreciates the immense joy and sense of accomplishment her children derive from raising 4‑H animals, and she’s impressed that they’ve become completely comfortable demonstrating in contests before large groups.

“I’ve had teachers at my kids’ school say how much they like that the kids have the extra responsibility 4‑H gives them, because it means that in the classroom, they don’t have to be asked multiple times to do something — they already know how to do it,” Lisa Christiansen said.

On the morning of Sept. 4 at the Eastern Idaho State Fairgrounds in Blackfoot, the Christiansen family shampooed, scrubbed, rinsed and dried a group of Boer goats before a competition. In all, the kids showed 25 sheep and goats at the fair.

The oldest child, Klarrissa, 14, has been showing 4‑H animals for seven years and agrees with her parents that the experience helped her gain valuable skills.

“It’s definitely taught me time management and organization, because you can’t do a record book unless you’re organized,” Klarrissa said while grooming a meat goat. “You have to put a lot of information in the record books, like the vaccines. You can’t go up to your goat and ask, ‘Hey, when did I give you a shot?’”

Sophi Romriell, of Idaho Falls, won grand and reserve champion at the Eastern Idaho State Fair for her crossbred pig. Years of showing 4‑H animals taught Romriell the importance of sportsmanship and of being humble in victory and gracious in defeat.

“I’ve been showing animals since I was 4, and I’m 17,” Romriell said. “I think it’s taught me how to work hard and be respectful of others. Even though you win, you want to make others feel good about themselves and tell them, ‘Good job.’”

Family and consumer sciences projects

Beyond animal projects, 4‑H helps youth build confidence and leadership through FCS projects that span a wide variety of disciplines.

A requirement for any 4‑H project is that it be exhibited in a public setting. Participants entered FCS projects in more than 300 exhibits at the Canyon County Fair in Caldwell July 24-27. 4‑H awarded 402 ribbons for top entries.

For the first time, the fair included table decorating. Participating youth were given a square board and were asked to assemble a place setting, a centerpiece, a menu and a theme. They also learned about etiquette.

A two-round Cupcake Wars competition drew 19, two-member teams tasked with decorating four cupcakes in 30 minutes.

Some projects focused on sciences, such as geology and entomology. Others covered recreational activities, including hiking.

“The club that did hiking this year, the youth planned a trip to the Boise foothills,” said 4‑H Extension educator Carrie Clarich, Canyon County. “One youth made a backpack display with all of the items you would need to do a hiking trip.”

Often, youth who complete an FCS project create a poster highlighting what they learned.

Just like with animal projects, Sendy Martinez — a 4‑H Extension educator serving Canyon and Ada counties — has seen youth experience remarkable growth and discover hidden potential through FCS projects. For example, former 4‑H state President Chloe Rowland began baking and decorating cakes in 4‑H as a third grader. By seventh grade, Rowland was running her own custom cake company, which she continued through high school.

In July, Rowland hosted a 4‑H cake decorating day camp in Ada County. The event was so popular there was a lengthy wait list to participate.

“4‑H definitely gives youth opportunities to explore different interests that later can lead to hobbies, and maybe that brings out their entrepreneurial skills where they can develop a small business,” Martinez said. “Just giving them opportunities as a 4‑H youth really opens doors for them in the future.