ProAg Cares – Giving Back to the Ag Community Through 4-H and FFA
Highly involved with Future Farmers of America (FFA) in high school, Jared Huffer served as a judge at the Indiana State FFA Convention, judging the animal science demonstrations. High school students have 10 minutes to illustrate something that falls in line with animal science. For example, breeding a cow, dehorning goats, processing a litter of pigs and building a fence around a pasture. Jared commented, “I like giving back to organizations that helped me succeed in life.”
This year Hayley Clark, Matthew Tobias, Michelle Tobias, and Anngie Steinbarger participated in the ProAg Cares program at the Shelby County, Indiana Fair volunteering for the Shelby County Beef Cattle Association. Michelle Tobias said, “I love beef cattle and supporting hard-working youngsters to learn more about beef and community, through scholarships!” They sold ribeye sandwiches to those attending the fair. Despite the heat, they helped raise funds to support youth scholarships, donated mulch bedding and gates to 4-H members exhibiting beef. Anngie, a 4-H scholarship recipient herself when she was young, stated, “[exhibiting at the fair] builds core values such as accountability, creative thinking, and responsibility. They become tomorrow’s leaders in our community.”
Jamie Pedigo, as a lifetime 4-H participant, was co-superintendent for the 4-H crops and gardening department at her local county fair. Jamie’s daughter is in her first year of 4-H. Superintendents set the mood for the entire show. They are knowledgeable about the area they are working in and conduct the exhibit judging in a positive, supportive manner. They also assist the judge by providing supplies needed, organizing the exhibits and exhibitors, making sure all placings are marked on entries, recording the placings and attaching ribbons.
Jean Hommel-Kessler was asked to judge the joint Marshall/Day County 4-H Horse Show held at the Day County Fairgrounds in Webster, South Dakota. Also previously a 4-H member, Jean said, “I critiqued the exhibitors and their horse projects in a variety of classes. I am happy to help these young 4-H members learn and grow with their project horse. It is a wonderful way for youth to learn about responsibility, livestock care and training while being involved with agriculture.”