 | | They provide opportunities for youth to get along with people. Showing animals, winning, getting |
| | beat, and so forth helps youngsters to develop traits that will aid them in relating to people and
meeting and handling the challenges of life
|
| | Caring for and developing an animal helps youth to set a goal, work toward and experience the thrill |
| | of seeing it through to the end. Setting and achieving goals are important to youth, adults and
families.
|
| | A livestock project teaches responsibility. It is the 4-H'er's or FFA member's responsibility to carry |
| | out jobs on a timely basis. It is the youth's responsibility to feed and care for the animal. If youth
gain and learn nothing more than a sense of responsibility, the project is worthwhile.
|
| | By being involved in a livestock project and caring for an animal, a youth is taught how to take care |
| | of details. In any endeavor, it is taking care of the little things that count. The youth who does that
little extra or the adult that goes the extra mile gets the job done and is usually successful in life.
|
| | Caring out a livestock project teaches decision making. Observing situations, gathering information, |
| | analyzing the various options, what to do next are some of the decisions that youth make in caring
for and managing an animal. Decision making is hard for both many adults and youth. By being
involved with livestock projects, 4-H and FFA members make many decisions that make the process
less challenging.
|
| | Caring for and preparing an animal for a show requires planning, both in the short and long run. As |
| | in life or in a profession, a good plan is essential to attain success.
|
| | Some of the more important things that are gained is self esteem and interacting with family |
| | members. "Quality time" is the buzzword nowadays for family relationships, especially between
parents and youth. We hope, the youth will learn about and gain scientific knowledge and
experience in livestock production.
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