Sixteen VFW National Home kids from the 4-H Dynamos club returned from a week at the Eaton County Fair full of corn dogs and popcorn and increased confidence and pride after showing seven pigs, six rabbits, and five art projects.
Two girls who entered their rabbits brought home blue ribbons for showmanship, and two boys earned third- and fourth-place awards in the same category.
A fourth-place and sixth-place ribbon came back for showmanship for two of the National Home pigs.
All of the children spend their spring and summer with daily visits to the Montana Homestead south of campus in the barns walking their pigs, cleaning out pens, feeding their rabbits, and doing chores. Rabbit showmanship includes learning 36 steps to present to a county fair judge and then answering questions from the judge.
“It teaches the kids patience and teamwork. They have to practice showing their animals and everyone helps each other,” explained Nancy Bowers who has led the National Home’s 4-H program known as the Dynamos for 37 years. “Being a part of 4-H get the kids away from their phones and computers and gets them outside.”
The kids spent the week of July 5-13 at the fair showing their animals the first two days and working in concessions the third day to earn money for the county 4-H organization. The last few days they sold their animals to businesses and people who buy or breed rabbits as pets, earning a portion of the profits.
“They learn that hard work pays off,” said Bowers.
The 4-H club on campus began when Bowers joined the staff of the VFW National Home as the recreation coordinator almost four decades ago. Through the years, it’s continued to be an all-time favorite activity for National Home kids.
“When they join 4-H, they come back year after year,” added Bowers.
