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Project showcase brings generations together
Her eyes shone as she said, "That was my first time." Someone asked, "Holding an animal?" She nodded her head. At over 90 years old and growing up in the city, she had never had much contact with animals. But when a local 4-H club brought their projects to her adult care home, she finally had the chance. It was exactly the kind of reaction that the youth and adult leaders of Valley Boosters 4-H had been hoping for when they planned a showcase of projects at the Hill Top House. The Ford County, Kan. club meets in Bucklin, a town of 725 people. Bucklin is also home to Hill Top House, an adult care facility. The 4-H club recently spent a Sunday afternoon showcasing their 4-H projects to Hill Top residents and community members. Valley Boosters had been looking to incorporate more citizenship activities into their club, specifically with Hill Top House, said Community Leader Tammy Draper. When one of the parents had an idea to parade the 4-H exhibits for the residents, the showcase idea was born. Members brought their bucket calves, heifers, horses, pigs and chickens to the Hill Top courtyard, where residents were able to reach out and touch the animals. Following the animal parade, residents were invited in to share in some 4-H cooking and look at other projects brought by 4-H members, including photography, rocketry and welding.
"It was neat to get to show the animals to them," said Campbell Martin, a five-year member of Valley Boosters, who drove his pig past the residents. "You could tell they really liked it." Some residents were able to hold a chicken, while others petted the bucket calves. "It was a good way to reach out to the community and let them see what we do," said Charmayne Austin, club president. Members said they enjoyed seeing the residents smiling as they showed off their exhibits. The interaction between young people and older citizens is mutually beneficial. "Intergenerational activities are important," said Kristine Aldrich, activity director, social service designee for Hill Top. It teaches the youth to respect older people and makes them understanding of their special needs. And by having younger visitors, residents are reminded of their own youth and activities they did at that stage in their lives. Draper said she thinks the residents who were most excited to see the showcase were past 4-H members and leaders. One of the residents, Fern Fromme, said it reminded her of when her own children were in 4-H. "I had two girls and one boy, and they were all in 4-H," she said. "My son even took cooking." Fromme was a 4-H leader and at 94 years old, she said she still thoroughly endorses the program. "4-H is a wonderful thing," Fromme said. "I feel sorry for children whose parents aren't aware of it and who don't encourage them to get going in it." The showcase at Hill Top was a good example, she said, of how 4-Hers learn about leadership and citizenship, something that she appreciates now as a recipient. "Just look around at all of these people," Fromme said, pointing to the other residents gathered around the room. "They are really having fun." Aldrich agreed. "For many of them, this takes them back to their youth," she said. In particular it sparks memories of things they did as a child and gives them an opportunity to share those experiences with the current 4-H members. Aldrich estimated that half of the residents were raised on farms. But perhaps the residents who were most amazed were residents who had no association with agriculture or programs like 4-H before that day. "I learned a lot and have more respect for rural people. They are hard workers," one resident said. One of the Hill Top residents is local cattleman George Herrmann. Sitting under the shade of a maple tree, Herrmann watched young men lead their heifers across the lawn. "Sixty years ago, I was in the Livewire 4-H club and showed steers," he said. And more recently, Herrmann's own grandchildren were showing steers. Herrmann went on to be a significant agricultural businessman in Ford County, owning Ford County Feeders and a large farm. His sons and grandchildren now operate the business. He has also been a supporter of the 4-H program, purchasing animals at the premium auction during the fair. And while his age had slowed him down, Herrmann's support for agriculture continues. He proudly showcases an "Eat Beef" license plate on his walker. Draper said the club hopes to continue the showcase each year, particularly because of the response of the residents. "It seems almost comforting to the residents that agriculture is still strong with the young people in the community," she said. Holly Martin can be reached by phone at 1-800-452-7171 ext. 1806, or by e-mail at hmartin@hpj.com.
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