BURNS, Ore. – The Kids Club of Harney County got to see livestock up close at “Intro to the Animal World,” an event hosted by members of the Oregon State University Extension 4-H Youth Development Program.
Allie Bohnert, an eighth grader at Crane Middle School, came up with the idea for the event, held on June 29 at the Harney County Fairgrounds. Bohnert, who became a 4-H member four years ago so she could show goats at the Harney County Fair, joined the Junior Leaders 4-H Club last year so that she could learn how to make a positive difference in her community. Allie saw a need to educate youths about farm animals, so she brainstormed a project and shared the idea with her club.
“Intro to the Animal World,” attended by 20 children ages 2 through 10, featured Junior Leader members and their farm animals. Allie discussed her goats, Makinlee and Mallory Custis explained their pigs, Reagan Gaines shared about her heifer and sheep, Gracie Mello instructed about her donkey, and Jake Mello educated others about his turkey and ducks. Sierra Otley taught about her steer through pictures.
It was an educational experience for children who don’t work with livestock on a daily basis. The project helped bridge the gap between producers and consumers as well as urban and rural communities.
