Youth Livestock Showing During a Pandemic

            For many youth that are involved in Kentucky 4-H and Owen County 4-H, the summer time and early fall is very busy, with family time spent outdoors in a show barn, or a sale ring. Due to COVID-19, many local, district and state level 4-H livestock shows were cancelled or postponed. These shows are more than just walking a heifer around a ring, they teach discipline, leadership, financial skills, and communication skills. These skills that are learned by youth who participate in 4-H Livestock Clubs will be valuable for them throughout their life. The Owen County Cooperative Extension Service and Owen County 4-H Youth Development is showing firsthand that they are allowing youth to “learn hands on”. 

            The Owen County 4-H program was without a 4-H Agent for several months. The 4-H adult advisory council expressed the need to discuss and safely plan the 4-H Livestock Club Youth Investment Sale, during a pandemic. A meeting was held with the Owen County Extension Livestock Council to discuss the COVID-19 regulations and safety guidance provided by the University of Kentucky. After council discussion and decisions, it was decided that youth participants submit a video of them showing their animal. We later compiled all nine participant videos into one video. The Livestock Council also wanted the youth to be able to experience the sale of their animal to gain financial literacy skills; the video was used for the sale. 

The Owen County 4-H Livestock Club Youth Investment Sale had 26 buyers from Owen County or the surrounding area to participate virtually. In the past years, those youth that participated in the 4-H Country Ham project had the option to sell their ham in the investment sale and a silent auction was held for those participants. 

            In total, the program had 15 youth participate whether it was a livestock project or country ham project. Due to generous donations, we were able to raise almost $18,000.00 that goes back to the 4-H Livestock Club in Owen County; to sustain the program for many years to come. We hope to use some of the funds to create show fitting boxes that include everything an exhibitor will need to properly wash, clip, and get their animal ready for the ring.

            After the sale was completed, thank you letters were sent out to those that donated to the program. A few of the youth participant parents contacted the 4-H agent and expressed their thanks for still having some form of event that benefited youth, even though it wasn’t a typical approach.