4-H Field Trip to Orr Family Farm

What a fun day yesterday was for the Tipton 4-H Club! We went to Orr Family Farm in Oklahoma City for a day full of activities! A hayride....

 A fun maze in a maize field....

 ...racing against other teams....

 ....big tube slides....

...farm animals....

 ....a corn "crib" instead of a sand "box"....

 ...cow milking...

 ...and washing...

 ...tractor peddling...

 ...pumpkin tic tac toe playing...

 ...jumbo checker playing...

....train riding....

...pillow jumping (that's my husband!)...

...carousel riding...

....pumpkin "picking".....

 DAY OF FUN!

There was only ONE minor mishap....when the 4-H leader (me) locked one of the vans and locked the keys in the van. One group had to wait a while to eat!  Thank you to AAA Insurance for coming through, yet again!  We should have gotten that a long time ago. Would have helped many times because I have "issues" with things like locked doors!

The TRUTH About 4-H and FFA

Interesting that I should see this post...not five minutes since my 16-year-old son came home to rescue our goats. A few of them had gotten out of their pen and the huge Boer buck was trapped in a knot with a halter on his hoof.  He was lying there looking dead when I ran out to help.  I thought he was dead, all sprawled out and not moving.  He was scared, and if he could have talked, I'm certain that he would have said, "Thank You" if he could have, once he was freed.

And then this:  CNN'S article asking, "Does 4-H Desensitize Kids to Killing Animals?"   It's amazing really, that people really believe 4-H hurts kids or could hurt kids.  It's amazing too, that so many that cry out about animals being killed for food, actually do eat animals themselves, or animal products.  The article does show positives and negatives, so it's not totally bashing 4-H.  But, in this post, I'm focusing on those who are against it.

What people like this don't realize is that God made the animals for PEOPLE to use.  He provided them for us. That was his plan. Too many in the world have mixed it up and think that PEOPLE were created for ANIMALS.  Completely, completely false.  God said for man/woman to rule over the animals.  Care for the animals. Tend to the animals.  And after the flood, to use the animals for food.  

The fear and dread of you will fall on all the beasts of the earth, and on all the birds in the sky, on every creature that moves along the ground, and on all the fish in the sea; they are given into your hands.  Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything. Genesis 9:2-3

God set man/woman apart from the animal world.  Man/woman have souls.  Animals do not. Contrary to the popular movie, "All Dogs Go to Heaven", no they don't.  In fact, NO ANIMALS go to heaven. Heaven is reserved for God's people - those who have become followers of His Son, Jesus.  

God blessed them (Adam and Eve) and said, "Be fertile, increase in number, fill the earth, and be its master. Rule the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that crawl on the earth." Genesis 1:28

Sure animals bring joy to our lives, but they can also teach us things - like responsibility through the 4-H or FFA program. They teach a strong work ethic - something that is missing in many families today who want everything handed to them.  

I remember like yesterday leading my calf onto the trailer to go to market. I cried all the way there.  And then "Sam" slammed me into the side of the trailer, making my shoulder bang up to the metal side with his 1000 plus pound body.  I wasn't happy with Sam for hurting me. I was crying because he was going and crying because he was hurt.  Sam came back home in different packaging than he went on that trailer.  Our family was fed by Sam.  Sam couldn't live forever.  He had served his purpose.  Now the work and feeding program he was on during his life was benefiting my family in his death.

If I didn't care about that animal project, why would I still remember it so vividly?  I wouldn't.  I remember the good times with Sam...and that one bad time of him hurting me.  I remember all of my calves that same way.  

My children do the same with their goats and pigs.  It's a learning experience that they will take with them for the rest of their lives.  They are learning great lessons.  4-H is GOOD.  It's GREAT!  FFA is GOOD. It's GREAT!  

The  4-H and FFA programs are vital to our communities and even our cities.  I think it would be great if those who are so opposed to "farm" and "agriculture" saw how those two entities would affect the very products that are in their homes.  Almost EVERYTHING is tied to agriculture in some way.  If I could snap my fingers and make "their" stuff with ag-related products disappear, they would be shocked at what would be missing!  Ha! If only that could really happen!

So, parents....don't be afraid your child is going to be warped from joining the local 4-H club or FFA chapter.  If anything, it will make them stronger.  It will make them appreciate the things God has given to us - the things He created for us.

4-H Field Trip

Yesterday, even though my family had just returned home from a weekend trip to Oklahoma City and the State Fair, my husband and I boarded a bus with two other adults and 14 children to head back to the fair for a 4-H field trip.  As 4-H leader, I try to come up with fun, interesting learning trips for the members each year and this year the fair seemed perfect.  An added incentive was the fact that yesterday was "free admission" for children.  You can't beat that price!

Going to the fair on a weekday is so much different than our usual weekend visit.  We were able to stop and look at things we couldn't on the weekend.  This man is called a "Turner".  In fact, he said that people with the last name of Turner probably have ancestors that were bowl makers....turners....just like him!  How neat is that!!?  He was a skilled and knowledgeable craftsman.  The kids really enjoyed visiting with him and watching him work.

One of our members was chosen to be part of a firefighting challenge.  She dressed up as a fireman and competed with her partner against two boys.  The rest of us cheered on her and her teammate.

In the end, the two girls won!  They raced up the ladder and shot out confetti on the audience - who thought they were going to be soaked with water!

The highlight of the barn tours were seeing the baby animals.  This little piglet was adorable!  Next week this little guy (or girl) and his nurse-mates and momma will be picked up by my husband and come to live at Tipton.  The farmer donates the piglets and mommas to Tipton Home each year after the fair.  Last year some piglets escaped during the "pick up".  My husband tells the story of chasing little pigs everywhere!!  (It's funny, but it wasn't at the time, I'm sure!)

The baby chicks were cute to watch.  None were hatching out at the time, but some were fairly young.  Cute!

I really liked the alpacas.  They are pretty animals and their fleece is so soft.  I tried to get my husband to get me one, but he said no.  We have goats.  I guess that will do :).

Our last stop was at the butterfly tent.  There were hundreds of butterflies and they seemed to really be attracted to a few of the kids!  This boy had them all over him the whole time!

Maybe they were attracted to the red he had on?  Maybe he just seemed sweet?  Who knows, but it was fun watching it!

They liked this sweet girl, too!  They were beautiful and huge!

Field trips are all about exposing children (or adults) to something they haven't had the opportunity to do before.  Only two members had ever been to the state fair before, so it was really neat for them.  I heard one say, "This is the best day of my life!".  I'm not sure that statement will always be true of their visit to the fair, but if it is made yesterday the best day they've had in a long time, then just for that one child, it was worth it.

In anything I am involved in - whether through 4-H, school, or church/camp activities, I want to create memories - great memories - for the children.  I want them to look back and remember those special times with happy thoughts.  And I want them to know that I cared about them and cared for them.  I want the trips, parties, and activities to be come of their favorite memories.  

I think anyone that works with children should have those same goals:  experiences, special memories, and fun....and learning.  Yes, they're learning as they go, but if a little fun isn't sprinkled in, it won't become a special memory or something they remember with happy thoughts.  Yesterday the 4-H members banked up many special memories and happy thoughts.  I'd say it was a great success!

Teaching Children About Table Settings and Table Etiquette

Yesterday was our 4-H club's monthly meeting date.  There aren't many 4-H events going on in January, so for the meeting I (as the local 4-H leader) decided to do something different and teach them about table settings and table etiquette.  I knew that some of our members would be gone for another school event, but we still had 12 in attendance.

I have taught my own children about how to set the table correctly and continue to teach them table manners at each meal (it seems!).  I've always wanted the table set properly, for most family meal times. I guess it was drilled into me and stayed with me during my junior high and high school home economics classes, because that was always my favorite class in school.

So, as the meeting began yesterday, I asked the members to go wash their hands.  They looked at me like I was crazy (and even commented to some of the teachers in the hallway that they couldn't believe they were having to wash their hands!), but I told them that they were about to have a fancy meal and needed to listen carefully to the instructions.

Before sitting down at the table to eat, each member was given a table setting place mat, which I printed off from Parents.com.  It showed an example of a simple place setting. They had to set their place setting properly, though we were just using paper and plastic ware.

After each plate was properly set and examined, I distributed the "food", which was bowls of snacks, such as cereal, popcorn, M & M's, and things like that.

The members had to pass the bowls around the table family style and properly, from left to right.  If they needed something else, they would ask another member politely to pass the snack.

While the members ate their snack, we discussed table etiquette.  I found a lot of quizzes and information from these sites: A to Z of Manners & Etiquette and Family Education.

The children learned, but had fun while learning.  It helped to have a tasty snack mix as the entree'. Table manners are important, and learning proper ways to enteract socially with others is important. 

Family meal times have changed throughout the years, but that family time is important.  Yesterday, as going through the quiz, I asked the question, "When is it proper to begin eating your meal?"  One member answered, "After the prayer."  I loved that answer and for my own family, that's exactly when it's time to begin eating.

Great job, 4-H members!

Goin' Showin' at the Oklahoma Youth Expo

Every year, on the weekend before Spring Break, our family goes to the Oklahoma Youth Expo in Oklahoma City, where our oldest three children show goats. This year one of our sons took his pig to show, as well.

Others from our local 4-H and FFA also showed this past weekend and will continue to do so during this whole week. This picture shows the front of our goat stalls. Some clubs choose to decorate their stalls and work hard to keep it clean. There is an award given for Herdsmanship for those who work towards this competition. Last year our club place 1st/Overall Champion. This year our group place 3rd.

I took some chalkboards and my daughter decorated them with Chalk Markers.  She did a great job, but in the picture below, you can see where her little ornery brother messed it up!

She wrote:  Got goats?...a play on the "Got Milk?" slogan.  Then at the bottom she put, "WE DO!"  Tyler got the Chalk Marker and in the middle wrote, "WE DON'T".  I got on to him for messing up her sign while the other two brothers laughed hysterically.  Soon my daughter and I were laughing about it, too, but we didn't let Tyler know it!

This is Jacob getting his goat ready.  It's neat that they are able to clip a lot themselves now.

Zachary washing his goat.  Thankfully the goat is seeming to enjoy the bath.

Lauren working with her red goat.  It was my favorite one because of it's hair color.

Jacob with "Floop".  He enjoys the pig more than the goats.

Jacob's goat...before going into the show ring.  Looks like the goats smiling, doesn't it?

Lauren with her goat....right after the show....and right before taking it to the trailer... 

The male goats don't come back home, so it's sad for some of the kids who've grown attached to their show animals.  Lauren is always sad to have to say goodbye to her animals.

Zachary with his goat doing the same thing....posing before heading to the trailer.  He's more business minded, so doesn't get too emotional about the goat's future.

Zachary, Lauren, and Jacob watching the goat show.  I always try to get a "from behind" picture of them in their 4-H and FFA jackets. It just looks neat to me.

Tyler had some fun learning to play the "big" Sequence with our high school principal and his wife.  It was a fun way to pass the time for him during the long, long, long goat show!

As the people began to clear out during the day, the aisles became free to have some fun.  This is at the end of the day, in between times of cleaning and packing up to head home.

Tyler giving rides to our county extension agent, plus his sister and one of his brothers.

I walked by a table with a skirt around it and saw a few legs and boots sticking out. I also heard giggling coming from underneath as the kids were trying to hid. It was so cute, but I didn't want to scare the kids by talking to them, since they were hiding under there. I waited until one of them kind of came out and asked if they would line up with their boots in a row. Such a cute picture! I never did see any of the kid's faces, but thanked them for posing!

And finally, Lauren and Zachary giving their dad a ride back to the barn to get the final load before heading home.  We were all ready to be home after four long, busy days!
 
Last year I wrote a post about our worship each year at the stock show.  Read more about that here.