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Whether
you're interested in beef, dairy, goat, horse, poultry,
sheep, or swine, you can use your 4-H project to help others
in the community. Here are a few ideas:
- build
a water and wash rack system in the show barn at the
fairgrounds
- raise
a steer and donate the meat to a food kitchen
- buy
a show steer and give the processed meat to the food
bank
- help
younger 4-H'ers prepare to show their steers
- assist
with a county beef promotion day
- conduct
a lesson to teach preschoolers where their food comes
from
- host
or assist with a Farm City Day
- take
animals to a day care, school, nursing home, etc. for
milking demonstration
- donate
milk or dairy products to food bank
- help
out at a summer horse camp for physically challenged
kids
- sponsor
a horse day-camp for kids from low-income housing
- teach
younger 4-H'ers about safety around horses
- teach
pre-schoolers about the historic use of horses as transportation,
signs of wealth, etc.
- clean
the stables, stack hay, or do other odd jobs at a therapeutic
riding stable
- teach
a horse safety "summer fun stop"
- lead
a horse judging clinic
- hatch
chicks for a school classroom
- decorate
Easter eggs with preschoolers or at a nursing home
- lead
a farm tour
- provide
eggs for a community Easter egg hunt
- host
a farm tour for a day care
- have
a sheep show at a nursing home
- teach
a kindergarten class about sheep and wool
- help
younger 4-H'ers prepare for Expo
- provide
sheep for a live nativity or other plays
- ask
a foster home to provide a space for hogs and work with
kids to teach them how to raise them
- take
your animals to a day care, school, nursing home, etc.
and teach others about them
- provide
the meat for a barbecue to benefit a local charity
Here
are some great ideas that other 4-H groups have done!
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| Freedom
Engine Fund |
| The
Sevier County Horse Project Group raised money for the
Freedom Engine Fund by raffling a set of saddle bags
donated by the Sevier County Farmer's Co-op. They contributed
some of their own money so that they could donate $100
to the fund to buy fire engines to replace those lost
in the September 11th attacks in New York City. |
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| Equine
Christmas Tree |
| Members
of the 4-H Horse Club in Robertson County created an
"equine Christmas tree." The tree was decorated
with horse-related items. They donated the tree to a
local stable that works with special needs children. |
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| Books
on Tape |
| The
Robertson County 4-H Horse Club wanted to help their
community while still focusing on what they love--horses.
Nine members of the project group made books on tape
to donate to the local public library. All the books
they read were about horses. The 4-H'ers had a great
time reading and doing sound effects, and the library
staff was very pleased that they did this project for
the library's young readers. Jessica Williams, a member
of the Horse Club, said, "I learned that it feels
good to give your time to others in need."
|
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| Helping
Those in Need |
| The
Williamson County sheep project group wanted to help
a local family who suffered two deaths and a serious
injury within only two weeks. Thirty-five 4-H'ers came
together to raise $585 for this family through a concession
stand at the Williamson County Preview Market Lamb show.
The 4-H'ers worked in the concession stand and donated
all the food to be sold--baked goods, hamburgers, hot
dogs, chips, and drinks. At the show, 4-H'ers had to
pay a $2 entry fee per lamb. According to the project
group leader, "they all agreed instead of receiving
prize money to donate that money to the family also." |
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Can you think of other ways to combine animals and service?
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