Hardy thinks that nonlivestock projects are underrated.
“They think it’s large livestock because that’s what they see at the fair, but it’s so much more,” Hardy said. “What little kid learns to sew if they’re not in 4-H?”
Hardy also completed project with cheap homecoming dresses pocket pets, cake decorating, clowning and rope. She said 4-H gave her exposure to many skills she did not learn in school, and gave her access to a knowledgeable mentor. Moser is a master clothing educator and has been a 4-H sewing adviser for 48 years. She was in the original class of OSU/4-H Master Clothing Educators in 1997 and was inducted into the Ohio 4-H Hall of Fame the same year.
Ludt also said 4-H gave her leadership opportunities she didn’t have in school, like being a camp counselor.
Although nonlivestock projects may sometimes be underrated, they are not incompatible with livestock projects. Ludt said she originally became interested in fashion Black Sherri Hill 51425 Back Zipper Cap Sleeve Homecoming Dress when she was participating in lead line projects at the Canfield Fair. Lead line is a sheep and wool promotional class that involves leading a sheep while wearing clothes that are made mostly of wool.
Her grandmother helped her make outfits to wear Black Sherri Hill 51442 Short Fitted Beaded Homecoming Dress Sale for lead line competitions, then she met Moser and joined the Western Reserve Rangers to start working on 4-H clothing projects. Throughout her 4-H career, Ludt took market and carcass lamb projects in addition to clothing projects.
Cows, barns and hay are all a huge part of 4-H, but so are cameras, bows and arrows, and sewing machines. Just like livestock projects can encourage 4-H’ers to pursue long-term careers and hobbies in agriculture, clothing and other nonlivestock projects can help 4-H’ers gain life skills and find their passions.
