Anyone do 4-H?
 

We live in the country, and my kids are in 4-H. I think its a very importent program that kids should be in because it teaches them so much about life and responsibility.
I am having a hard time explaining to people that it ISN'T just about farming. In fact, you can join 4-h and just do art or science, or whatever. I have had SO many rude comments made though that its really getting to me :mad: I shouldnt let it bother me, but I hate it when someone thinks I am stupid or that I am not making a good choice for my children.

The first thing that I would like to say is that I think that you make very good choices for your children's activities if you are involved in 4-H.

Hubby has been involved in 4-H all of his life. He was raised on a farm & was in 4-H when he was in school and had his own cows & pigs to raise & care for. Later, when the rules were changed & "city kids" were allowed to join he became a photography club leader. His mother was a 4-H leader for 22 years. He has been a 4-H judge for 30 years and I have judged still projects for over 20 yrs. We have judged in St Joseph, Cass, Kalamazoo, Van Buren & Muskegon Counties. My daughter was in 4-H and she was a city kid.

4-H is one of the few organizations open to both boys and girls that teach honest values and responsibility. For anyone to openly mock you or your choces as a mother just shows their ignorance & general lack of manners. Too bad they did not get the opportunity to be guided and influenced by one of the many 4-H leaders that were available to them but their parents did not take advantage of during their lives.

If you run across anyone else that needs an explanation of 4-H, just PM me, Chuck or I would be more than happy to drive over and educate them.

My girls are in 4H as was my husband growing up. He raised pigs. He lived "in town" but the piggies were out in the country at his grandparent's place. Now we live out on that same family land and have cattle. Since we just moved out here, this is our girls' (ages 13 and 11) first year in 4H. They will be showing wether goats at our county fair in September (we get ours next month). It's a very large county fair - I believe the largest in the state. Once they get their feet wet with that project, they will be showing halter heifers or "pen of 3" next year. We have the calves picked out already (from our herd). I'm still learning a lot about 4H but yes, it is a great program. There is so much more available than just showing farm animals. I hope your kids enjoy it and learn many valuable lessons from it. Sounds like YorkieMom55 has a lot of knowledge so take her up on it if you want more info! Good luck!

I did for a couple of years. I raised and showed sheep.

It was devastating when I had to sell them. :(

I don't remember anything other than showing animals. You could chose sheep, pigs, or cattle.

We are in Kent county. I grew up in Allegan County though!
I did get a chance to explain to one person yesterday, the many benefits of 4-H. I explained things to him that he never ever knew about 4-H before and now I think he might even look into it for his own kids :thumbup:

When I was a kid (now I am 52,lol) I was very active in4H,horsemanship,rabbits, goats,it insitlled morals and integrety that I carry today! You are a wondeful mom. I wish they had it around here when my kids were younger! 3 cheers for you!

Well, I have no children, but I was in 4-H when I was young!! I lived in town! But it was a rural community! I took some craft like leather working, I know- and was in some juding thing on a dress i sewed, and my personal grooming!Took horsemanship,just to learn the basic of horse health, structure!
It is a great thing for kids to be in!! I am glad it is still going- it has been around for years!
I think if a lot more kids had been in it over the years, we'd see a lot less gangs, crimes and violence!!
I never heard of 4-H hurting anyone!! Kepp your kids in it as long as you can!!No matter what anyone says!!!

My brother, sister, and I were all in 4-H. Although we did show steers, and all that jazz, it isn't just about farming. We would do alot of different projects. It's funny how people automatically label things without even really knowing. As soon as I was old enough I joined FFA, but I loved 4-H just as well. I think it was a great thing to be involved in, I learn so much!

I was in 4-H when I was in school and I'd never been on a farm in my life!

The company I work for makes agricultural loans and we strongly support
4-H'ers and their families. We provide money for camp and trophies when they are called for.

One of my favorite duties is sending congratulatory letters to local 4-H'ers when they win competitions!

4-H rocks! It teaches a child so many things that can't be learned anywhere else!

We are involved in 4H and we do not raise any animals or "farm"...we do not show animals, etc. We are in it for the socialization, for all the different programs (fashion, art, science, cooking, sewing, gardening, etc), for the field trips to various locations (some working farms, banks, etc).
It definitely is NOT just for farmers or farm animals!!!

Wow, its so great to see so many of us involved in such a great organization! I was a member at the county level for 12 years, and have been a collegiate member for the past 4. I have been active on a county, state and national level. I have been in every single project at least once with beef, sheep, swine, clothing, cooking, arts & crafts, leadership, and plant science as my strong points. I credit 4-H for instilling in me the values that I possess today. It has taught me responsibility, determination, organization, motivation, and most importantly communication skills. I will gladly defend 4-H any day!

I was involved in 4-H until I had to switch to FFA. In 4-H I showed sheep, talent (county share the fun), made clothes, public speaking, etc... I won Hall of Fame for my county and won a trip to Washington DC. 4-H was always a good influence in my life and of course another avenue to make great friends from all over Oklahoma by going to leadership conferences etc...
Dont let people get to you.... You are making one of the best decisions for your children right now... in todays world they need posotive influences (other than you of course ;) )