Life On The Farm As The Years Fly Bye

We All Learn At a Different Pace

What did I learn about myself through my 4-H participation?

I learned that it is not easy to be 16 and on the edge of adulthood.

Head - to clear thinking, when giving your word to someone, think about how it will affect your heart if you buckle to peer pressure and go against your morals and ethics .

Heart - to greater loyalty; loyalty is something that is given freely and cannot be demanded or forced upon someone.

Hands - to larger service, you can only do what you feel is right and work hard to achieve your goals.

Health - to better living; if your word is your honor, and you stand fast to your morals and ethics; loyalty will come to you freely, your goals will be realized, and you will make a difference in the world around you.


I love 4-H !


Peer pressure is one of the hardest things we face; stay true to yourself no matter how hard it is and make a difference!

4H My Journey

Farmer's Hands Video

2011-2012 Western National Roundup

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

The 2013 4-H State Livestock Skill-A-Thon


       Most of us when we think of 4-H, the first thing that pops in our minds is the exhibits at your local fair.  4-H members think of fair as the end of a long hard year, and the stepping-stone to the next leg of a journey, that will take us to the next level competition. There are three levels of 4-H competitions that 4-H members can compete, County, District, and State. Those of us who are between the age of 14 and 18 who compete at the State level are all chasing the golden ticket; the honor of representing the State of Idaho on the National level.

In my opinion, the livestock skill-a-thon is by far one of the hardest competitions. It is a test of ones knowledge of the Agriculture Industry. A few of the categories of the knowledge and skill needed are; meat cuts & carcass evaluation of the difference species of animals, breeds identification of each species, Quality Assurance of each species, equipment, feeds, hay & wool judging, etcetera, as well with a very difficult written test .

 In the Livestock skill-a-thon only the older 4-H members are aloud to compete on the National level, but on the State level even the younger 4-H members are eligible to compete, those ages range between 8 and 13; these younger member are very bright and their quest for knowledge has started early.

 I read that the average age of the American farmer/rancher is 55 and older; “In fact, about forty percent of the farmers/ranchers in this country are 55 years old or older (Bureau of Labor Statistics)” also known as the Baby Boomers. Some say that there is a decline in the younger generation or (Ag Millennial’s ages 26 and under) to step up and obtain the knowledge and skill needed to become a successful farmer/rancher. In my opinion we are stepping up as the first wave of Ag Millennial’s have graduated from college and are heading home to the farm/ranch at this very moment; those of us who are in high school and younger have had the most provided for and structured childhood in history. We have grown up in the seat of a tractor with a laptop in our hands and a cell phone in our pocket. Yes, the Idaho 4-H State Livestock Skill-A-Thon is a contest to see who will have the honor to compete at the 4-H Nationals; but let us not lose sight of what this contest is really about, it is about the knowledge and understanding of the Agriculture Industry.

Remember all you Ag Millennial's knowledge is power and with that knowledge, we are arming ourselves and getting ready to take our place with in the Agriculture Industry to preserve what has made Idaho great; Agriculture!

At this time, I would like to congratulate all who competed in the 2013 4-H State Livestock Skill-A-Thon you did an outstanding job! You were all awesome!

To the volunteers, parents, 4-H Educators and Coordinators, who worked so hard to make the State 4-H Livestock Skill-A-Thon a success thank you for your time, knowledge and hard work.

This year the honor of representing the State of Idaho at the 4-H National Livestock Skill-A-Thon in Louisville Kentucky is the Gooding County Senior Team of Carlos, Alexis, Cora, and Brianna. The quest to further our knowledge of the Agriculture Industry has already started and we will do our best to bring honor to Gooding County and the Great State of Idaho.