Incorporating livestock projects into the Boyd County 4-H program to reach youth with those interests in the hopes of achieving their ultimate vision of positive youth development, providing young people with skills necessary to become successful adults has been a goal since the club's beginning.  A North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service publication states, "The purpose of 4-H and FFA youth livestock projects is to teach young people how to feed, fit, and show their animals.  The more important purpose is to provide an opportunity for personal growth and development of the young person." (Adapted from Hammat, 1995,pg. 2).   The eight year Boyd County 4-H Livestock club member, who showed rabbits, credits her participation in the 4-H club to her improved leadership, public speaking, responsibility and goal setting skills.

In a scholarship application that a senior 4-H Club member shared with her Boyd County 4-H agent, the club member shared that for eight years, club meetings, clinics, county fairs, and certified leaders' assistance paved the way for improved public speaking, leadership, and mentoring.  She said it began with her worst fear of a class presentation and public speaking; however, when elected 4-H Livestock Club President, leading the club meetings enhanced her public speaking skills and led her to compete in three regional FFA impromptu speeches and two state FFA speeches.

Not only did the 4-H experience improve her public speaking skills, she said that 4-H pushed her to become a better leader not only in her livestock club but also in her church youth group and other  clubs and activities.  She mentored youth in the 4-H Club as well as fellow FFA members and Sunday School classes.  This young lady credits her 4-H  "bunny" projects for increased responsibility, discipline, and goal setting skills.  She ended her scholarship application with this:  "This 4-H Club is not only filled with great people, but also benefits.  4-H has taught me a variety of things that I would not have learned anywhere else.  I am so thankful to be a member of the Boyd County 4-H Club!"

The county 4-H fair, 4-H Livestock Clubs and projects are ways for 4-H youth to showcase their project work and receive recognition for their efforts but, it will also provide important opportunities for  positive youth development.