SKILLS for a lifetime
Kids who take care of an animal as part of a 4-H youth development animal science project gain skills and attitudes that will benefit them for a lifetime.
While many youth are still sound asleep, Sarah Grundahl rises early to take care of her horses and dogs before school. Photo by KATHY CANTRELL
They develop skills in leadership, making decisions, setting and achieving goals, organizing their work, developing relationships and communicating. They learn about technology and agricultural and consumer issues. They develop strong moral or ethical values. And they have the opportunity to explore careers working with animals.
A recent study also showed that these gains are significantly greater for kids in 4-H than for other kids who have animals but do not participate in 4-H. Participants in 4-H youth development animal science projects raise both companion animals, like dogs and cats, and production animals, like cows and chickens.
Responsibility, commitment, trust
Tony Brey, a University of Wisconsin-Madison freshman, has been raising and showing Holstein cattle since he was 9 years old.
"I learned a great appreciation for hard work," he says. "I realized that the more work and time you put into your project, the more success you'll have. I also learned about commitment and responsibility and how to work well with other people."
Brey's comments reflect the findings of the evaluation study, which measured how much the youths believe they had changed over a three-year period. The results for 384 4-H members were compared with a control group of 100 nonmembers. When asked about taking responsibility, for example, the 4-H youth reported they had learned to make decisions about their animals, that they fed and trained them regularly, and that adults trusted them with making decisions about the animals.
Sportsmanship
"Taking care of animals has taught me a lot about responsibility and sportsmanship," says Sarah Grundahl, a Whitewater high school senior who shows both horses and dogs. "I have to get up early to take care of the animals before school every day. I am responsible for other living things."
She said competing in shows has provided lessons, too. "You learn to accept what happens, whether you win or lose, and understand that the competition should be about having fun."
Working with others
She's a 4-H junior leader who helps younger members get started in caring for and showing horses and dogs. "I remember when I was starting out, I got a lot of help from the older members and it made such a difference for me. So I like to do the same for the younger kids."
Grundahl, like many 4-H members, is an enthusiastic volunteer. She's helped out with Meals on Wheels, the local food pantry and other good causes, but her passion is volunteering at Smiles, a therapeutic riding center.
"I'm going to major in special education, because I really enjoy working with kids with disabilities," she says. "My goal is to become a therapeutic riding instructor."
By raising and showing prize-winning Holstein cows, Tony Brey has developed skills that will last a lifetime. The experience also has helped him choose his future career as a dairy farmer. Photo by CLARICE BREY
Character and ethics
The researchers also found that the 4-H youth ranked higher than a comparison group on questions about development of character and ethical behavior. For Brey, those questions about ethics carry some weight. He shows dairy cattle. His Holstein, Candle, won her class and honorable-mention grand champion at the Wisconsin State Fair last summer. He knows however, that some competitors cheat, doing things during grooming and fitting that mask flaws or make the animal look more "perfect" to the judge. Brey says he wouldn't do that.
"You only have one chance to build respect," he says. "So when you compete you should compete honestly. 4-H discourages cheating. It stresses that it doesn't matter where you finish, but that you start with a project and you see it through."
Finding a career
Like 47% of the 4-H youth surveyed, Brey said he plans to have a career in the livestock industry. A dairy science major, he expects to return to work in the family dairy business in Door County. —Mary Ellen Bell
4-H Animal Science Programs Make a Difference
- In 2004, 13,000 youth in Wisconsin participated in 4-H animal science projects. On average, each youth enrolled in three animal projects. Approximately 50,000 Wisconsin youth are 4-H members.
- An evaluation of the effects of participation showed a strong positive relationship to character development, including decision making, ethics, goal setting and accepting responsibility.
- When asked if they understood the difference between ethical and nonethical behavior, 93% of 4-H members said they knew the difference between ethical and nonethical behavior. Among nonmember youth, 77% said they knew the difference.