MattL
12-20-2008, 02:45 PM
From Agricultural & Natural Resources Educator Doug Akers of Boone County IN.
"My point is that 4-H can play a critical role in the continuation of the exhibition poultry hobby for future generations. I'm sure you already know that, but it was reinforced to me last weekend when I was talking with some folks in states who don't have a strong 4-H program. For example, Henry Kestner (spelling?), of Kestner bantams in Missouri, said that in his area it was a dying hobby; no one else anywhere near him, breeds and shows chickens. Contrast that with Indiana where we have a strong county 4-H program, which leads to 1500 birds at the State Fair 4-H Show. We started the State 4-H "hands-on" workshop around five years ago, not knowing if we'd have 20 people show up. We had over 100 participants, from the Ohio River to near Lake Michigan. We've averaged around 140 participants every year since then. Our State (Purdue campus) 4-H Department sends out the flyer by US mail to all previous State Fair show participants and by e-mail to all county extension offices, who then send to their particular county poultry 4-Her's. Our Central Indiana Poultry Show had nearly 450 birds in its' second year of existence, primarily Indiana 4-H members. Just food for thought. Perhaps in your future ABA endeavors, a stronger relationship could be made with the Extension Service. I'm guessing that 90% of county Extension Educators (Agents) have never heard of the ABA. As a "livestock/agricultural" organization, I would think that you could get approval for a yearly e-mail that could be sent to county extension offices in the states, or at least in strong Midwest Extension Service States, on a trial basis. This probably would need to be approved through the State 4-H Extension Department of various states. In Indiana, I'd be willing to lay the groundwork for approval for an ABA educational mailing to be sent to all counties in the state."
Doug brings up a great idea and for a long time as a 4H advisor and junior show judge, I have been thinking of ways to increase our ties and support of 4H Youth poultry programs. We could give County 4H educators a discount on ABA Standards and related book purchases as well as let them know about our shows and website. Also, maybe even send an ABA representative to speak at 4H events related to poultry on a county and state wide level. I know when Jeff Halbach went to Washington, DC to speak to a Congressional committee; one of the big factors in their message being heard was the link to 4H. My own daughter got her start in exhibition poultry at a very early age and went thru 4H as a Clover bud and then a member. This fostered and interest in poultry which has culminated in her decision to attend the University of Arkansas this fall to study and major in Poultry Science with an emphasis on Poultry Production. The youth in the fancy will be the ones who carry this forward and no effort is wasted on them if we can get a few to continue on.
Matt Lhamon
Halbach/Lhamon for the ABA
http://aba2009.blogspot.com/
"My point is that 4-H can play a critical role in the continuation of the exhibition poultry hobby for future generations. I'm sure you already know that, but it was reinforced to me last weekend when I was talking with some folks in states who don't have a strong 4-H program. For example, Henry Kestner (spelling?), of Kestner bantams in Missouri, said that in his area it was a dying hobby; no one else anywhere near him, breeds and shows chickens. Contrast that with Indiana where we have a strong county 4-H program, which leads to 1500 birds at the State Fair 4-H Show. We started the State 4-H "hands-on" workshop around five years ago, not knowing if we'd have 20 people show up. We had over 100 participants, from the Ohio River to near Lake Michigan. We've averaged around 140 participants every year since then. Our State (Purdue campus) 4-H Department sends out the flyer by US mail to all previous State Fair show participants and by e-mail to all county extension offices, who then send to their particular county poultry 4-Her's. Our Central Indiana Poultry Show had nearly 450 birds in its' second year of existence, primarily Indiana 4-H members. Just food for thought. Perhaps in your future ABA endeavors, a stronger relationship could be made with the Extension Service. I'm guessing that 90% of county Extension Educators (Agents) have never heard of the ABA. As a "livestock/agricultural" organization, I would think that you could get approval for a yearly e-mail that could be sent to county extension offices in the states, or at least in strong Midwest Extension Service States, on a trial basis. This probably would need to be approved through the State 4-H Extension Department of various states. In Indiana, I'd be willing to lay the groundwork for approval for an ABA educational mailing to be sent to all counties in the state."
Doug brings up a great idea and for a long time as a 4H advisor and junior show judge, I have been thinking of ways to increase our ties and support of 4H Youth poultry programs. We could give County 4H educators a discount on ABA Standards and related book purchases as well as let them know about our shows and website. Also, maybe even send an ABA representative to speak at 4H events related to poultry on a county and state wide level. I know when Jeff Halbach went to Washington, DC to speak to a Congressional committee; one of the big factors in their message being heard was the link to 4H. My own daughter got her start in exhibition poultry at a very early age and went thru 4H as a Clover bud and then a member. This fostered and interest in poultry which has culminated in her decision to attend the University of Arkansas this fall to study and major in Poultry Science with an emphasis on Poultry Production. The youth in the fancy will be the ones who carry this forward and no effort is wasted on them if we can get a few to continue on.
Matt Lhamon
Halbach/Lhamon for the ABA
http://aba2009.blogspot.com/