A3O-tancaster Farming, Saturday, August 22, 1998
Pilot Program To Place Focus
Not So Much On Animal, But On 4-H’er
ANDY ANDREWS
Lancaster Farming Staff
KUTZTOWN (Berks Co.) If
Mom or Dad simply went out and
purchased a fair champion animal,
it’s clear to some that the 4-H’er
showing the animal may not learn
much about how to raise a champ
ion at home.
The same goes for fitting and
grooming sheep.
‘The kids don’t learn too much
if Mom and Dad are fitting the ani
mal,” said John Falter, 4-H agent
for Berks County.
Falter, along with several 4-H
leaders in Berks County and
throughout the state, want to
change that.
Instead of putting the emphasis
on the champion animal, the focus
is moving to the 4-H exhibitors,
according to Darlene Weist, Berks
Under a pilot program, Instead of a 4-H’er being named
grand champion at the roundups, the award will be called
the “Outstanding 4-H Livestock Member,” according to Dar
lene Weist, left. In center is Pat Hunter, swine club leader,
and at right Is Lee Gauker, sheep ringman, who hands plac-
Ings to Weist.
S * >
At the practice contest last week, the 4-H’ers looked at placing hogs, sheep, and
beef. They also identified Jars of feed, pictured here, and species of animals.
County Beef Club leader.
Last week during the Kutztown
Fair, Weist and Falter were help
ing to test out a new pilot program
taking place in four counties that
will award the 4-H member for
their efforts and not simply focus
on an animal’s placing.
In the past, the grand champion
market animal was sold at county
roundups, which emphasized the
animal. Many times the know
ledge the 4-H’er is supposed to
have gained one of the Team
ing” philosophies inherent to the
program was never attained.
Under a pilot program, instead
of a 4-H’er being named grand
champion at the roundups, the
award will be called the “Out
standing 4-H Livestock Member,”
according to Weist. The award will
be based on a variety of “contests”
Scorekeepers during the stockman’s contest at the Kutztown Fair. From left, Lisa
Reinert, Jackie Gauker, and
that test the 4-H’er for knowledge
of the animal, the industry, how to
judge for type, how the animal
places in the ring, and what level of
maturity is exhibited during the
showmanship contests.
Importantly, a large percentage
of the award will be based on the
“skillathon,” a livestock learning
laboratory and *an excellent
method of involving 4-H’ers in a
challenging leam-by-doing activi
ty, according to Weist.
4-H’ers will test their know
ledge at skillathon stations on top-
(Turn to Page A3l)
i*tir ' / * ¥
~'• m,fT' , ‘
0>
• ,r r'
The philosophy of the pilot program Is at the “core” of 4-H
membership: learn by doing. Here Ben Welst, 15, son of
Darlene and William Welst, Leesport, performs his duties as
swine rlngman.
test the 4-H’er for knowledge of the animal, the Industry,
how to Judge for type, how the animal places In the ring, and
what level of maturity Is exhibited during the showmanship
contests. Pictured here are, from left, Sandra Angstadt, 7,
and Brittni Treichler, 7.