REEDSVILLE — While the Mifflin County Third Grade Ag Tour might be scheduled for one day each school year, Lily Savitts considers the lessons learned to be something that she will keep with her for a lifetime.
That’s why the Mifflin County High School 11th-grader believes it’s so important that she and other 4-H members take today’s third-graders under their wings.
“It is very important for the older kids to mentor younger ones,” said the 16-year-old Savitts, who has been an ag presenter for the past two years at the beef byproduct station. “I feel like the younger kids can relate to them better than they can relate to adults. Even though I got my interest in agriculture from my family, I feel I still looked up to older kids and related more to them.”
This year’s 24th Annual Mifflin County Third Grade Ag Tour was held on Sept. 18 at the Woodedge Farm in Reedsville, a family dairy farm that is owned and operated by Rod Kauffman, and his sons, Dustin and Eric.
“I saw what agriculture had done for them with so many unique experiences, and it gave me a better idea as to what I wanted for my future,” Savitts added. “I think without the older kids mentoring the future of agriculture in Mifflin County, it will slowly start to die more than it already has. The Third Grade Ag Tour gives kids a chance to learn and relate to agriculture and hopefully spark an interest to keep farming alive in Mifflin County.”
The event is certainly a family tradition for Savitts as three generations have participated.
“I enjoyed the Third Grade Ag Tour when I was in third grade,” she recalled. “I now enjoy teaching the third-graders about agriculture. My mom is also a tour guide for the tour alongside my grandmother, who is a presenter for the master gardeners. My sister also helps out, so it is truly a family affair.”
Savitts got started in 4-H from her family as both of her parents and grandparents joined the club growing up. She was more than happy to follow in their footsteps.
For the love
of animals
Fifteen-year-old Nyah Shirk, a ninth-grader, has been involved with 4-H for the past eight years.
“I’ve shown many different animals throughout the years, such as steers, goats, heifers, lambs and horses,” Shirk said. “Being in these clubs has taught me so much. I’m also a part of team horse power where it allows teens to go around and teach other people about horsemanship skills which is horse safety.”
When talking to younger kids about 4-H, Shirk hopes to give them an opportunity to learn about animals. In turn, that might spark their interest not only about animals but about 4-H as well.
“My love for horses is what introduced me to the 4-H and livestock world,” Shirk explained. “I’ve had a love and passion for horses since I could talk. All I wanted to be was a horse rider, once I started riding my spark for animals just grew.”
Being in the 4-H Horse and Pony Club has taught Shirk so much and keeps her to remain interested. “It’s not only about the showing of the animals, but the friendships you build with the people in your club,” Shirk added. “Being around these animals has taught me so much, such as patience, responsibility, determination.”
More importantly, Shirk said participating in 4-H can help those who struggle with confidence. They might not be straight-A students or the best athletes, but in the 4-H program those things don’t matter.
Savitts said, “4-H embraces you to be your own person and to help you build your confidence.”
Lending a
helping hand
Mifflin County High School junior Brayden Hunter has also been involved with 4-H for eight years. He is quick to help newer members learn the ropes and fuel the interest of others who might be prospects to join the club.
“I talk with the young kids and try to get them inspired to do 4-H and get to learn how to work with all the animals,” the 16-year-old Hunter said. “I got into agriculture by going to the fair as a young kid. I started 4-H in the swim club, showed swine for one year.”
Hunter decided to show a beef, making this his eighth year working with swine and seventh with beef.
“My favorite part about this stuff would be working with the animals and taking them on walks and getting them puppy-dog tame. As a 4-Her I like to share what I know and help the younger 4-H kids out at (the Mifflin County Youth) Fair.”
‘4-H is not
just livestock’
Amy Spickler, who oversees 4-H Youth Development for Mifflin County, said the 4-H program — through the Positive Youth Development approach — recognizes that all young people have interests, abilities and strengths when engaged in the context of supportive adults, youth voice and other program quality standards, can grow and thrive, having a positive impact on the whole child.
The success of the approach is its cyclical nature.
“Older youth in the program are able to serve as role models for the younger members, continuing to educate on what that they have learned through the program,” Spickler said. “Our members develop social and public speaking skills, complete community service projects and give back to the community that supports them. The program is dependent on short- and long-term volunteers, project leaders and organizational leaders.”
The approach not only corrects any misconceptions that kids might have about the club but encourages them to participate by offering a diversity of clubs.
“Mifflin County 4-H is not just livestock,” Spickler explained. “We currently provide 17 active clubs for youth age eight as of Jan. 1 through 18 years of age, including nine Livestock Clubs, five Community Clubs offering Expressive Arts, Crafts and Leadership/Government Council, Archery and Shooting Sports.
“We also have a few clubs that offer Cloverbuds — 5 to 7 years of age — and new this coming November will be a Cloverbud Livestock Club,” Spicker added. “Programming is also available for STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), robotics, rocketry and more.”
Spickler said the 4-H Club welcomes new members with open arms. Registration for the new program year, started on Oct. 1 at https://4h.zsuite.org/
For more information, call (717) 248-9618 or email anr128@psu.edu.