Youth development can take years to see results. Many times, we focus on the impact of those who were winners in our programs but sometimes it is those who participated that gained the most. An example of this came during college graduation season. There was a young man who participated for several years in 4-H dairy judging. He attended workshops, state contest, cow camp and the National 4-H Dairy Conference. He was working very hard but just could not seem to do enough to make the Kentucky 4-H Dairy Judging team. He decided to focus on his college career and graduated in May of 2018 so I sent him a message congratulating him for such a big accomplishment. Here is what he said, “Thank you!  If it weren’t for you and dairy judging I know I wouldn’t have made it to UK much less graduated!”

This is only one former 4-H member’s story but I think it is true of several more. The critical thinking, public speaking, analysis skills and confidence gained from the 4-H dairy project truly are life skills. This former 4-H member realized that those skills were what he needed to succeed in college and life.