Approximately 90 4-H kids will be displaying the product of months of hard work at the B.C. Northern Exposition (BCNE) this weekend.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the 4-H movement in B.C. 4-H Canada marked its 100th anniversary last year.
Prince George 4-H district president Karen Vohar said the program teaches children and youth the importance of hard work, responsibility, self-sufficiency, and respect for nature and the environment.
"4-H shows kids where their food comes from -what it takes to raise your own food," Vohar said. "[And] it teaches them responsibility. When you're in 4-H it's every day. If you don't feed that animal, it is not eating today."
The BNCE will feature judged competitions for beef cattle, goats, sheep, poultry, rabbits, pigs, horses and dogs. In addition, 4-H members will be displaying their leather, textile, culinary and craft projects for judging.
"For farm kids the fair is the highlight of the year," Vohar said. "They what it's like to work hard, and see something out of it."
The 4-H events will culminate on Saturday evening with the animal and livestock auction, Vohar said.
Kids participating in the auction will learn about the economics of agriculture, she said. They track the costs of buying and feeding the animals, and can turn a profit if the animal sells for the right price.
Kids raising beef cattle can easily spend $1,200 for a yearling to raise, plus $100 to $150 per month for feed, Vohar said.
Vohar said her eldest daughter was able to make enough from the auction of her steer last year to set aside money for college tuition.
The meat animals sold are butchered, cut and packed locally for the buyers through a partnership with Kawano Farms, Vohar said.
"It can definitely be expensive," she said. "They need to make $2.50, $3 a pound to break even."
Vohar said she's seen the benefits the program has had for her four children. Her two younger children, sons Spencer, 15, and Max, 12, will be entering the steer competition this year.
"It's a hard program. It will challenge your parenting skills," she said. "You do it with your kids. Some kids get it and some kids don't. [But] most of the kids that graduate the program go on into agriculture or some other [related] field."
Spencer Vohar said raising steers for the 4-H program has been a valuable life lesson.
"It's an every day thing, you have to work with them," Spencer said. "It teaches you how important it is. They can't take care of themselves, they can't feed themselves. It just comes naturally to do something with agriculture. Our family is involved."
Max Vohar said his involvement in 4-H has inspired him to continue the family tradition of farming in the area.
"I'd like to have a job in agriculture, have a job raising cattle," Max said.
For a schedule of 4-H events happening at the BCNE this weekend, go online to http://bit.ly/1ol7drb.
