Rosalind 4-H Club member six-year-old Jax Szott offers this year’s heifer calf Scarlet some munchies while they wait to present in the show ring during a Club Show held on April 20 at the Camrose Regional Exhibition. 

With a mantra to “Learn To Do By Doing”, the young members of 4-H Clubs around the world, including Rosalind, are being prepared to reach their fullest potential while using their heads, hearts, hands and health to serve their clubs, country and the world.

All one needs to do to develop a richer understanding of what that motto means, is to attend a 4-H event, and witness first hand the dedication, hard work and excitement of these young members.

On April 20, members of the Rosalind 4-H Beef Club arrived at the Camrose Regional Exhibition, Barn B, trailer in tow carrying some very precious cargo, the members’ show and market livestock.

The young members cautiously led the beautiful animals, most of which were quite a bit larger than their handlers, out of the trailers and off to a stall to be primped and prompted for the Rosalind Club Show.

The Rosalind 4-H Beef Club was established in 1954 and began with 22 members and by 1971 it had grown to 35 members at which time it split into two clubs, remaining two clubs for a number of years.

“Today the Rosalind 4-H Club is a multi club with three projects: beef, poultry and foods, explained Rosalind 4-H Club general leader Alison Stang. “We also have a strong Cleaver Program for children ages six to nine. We currently have 23 members ages nine to 17 in the regular Club and 10 Cleavers.”

Adhering to the motto of “Learn to Do by Doing” is not always an easy task for the young members, many of whom began 4-H at the tender age of six, however,  no matter what project the members undertake they do so with guidance from volunteers and parents.

“There are so many project options in 4-H now for rural and urban youth–you don’t have to be a farm kid to be in 4-H,” explained Stang. “The skills members learn in 4-H; leadership, public speaking, responsibility, cooperation and being part of a community, are lifelong and transferable to school, jobs,and even sports teams.”

Weaving in and out between these youth and their animals afforded me the opportunity to speak with members ranging from six-years-old, grooming and caring for their charges, to 16-years-old walking around mentoring and providing leadership to the younger members.

On all accounts, the members were respectful, well-spoken, professional, and extremely proud to be part of, not only the Rosalind Club, but the 4-H organization as a whole.

The April 20th show was one of a few events where these young “entrepreneurs” are given an opportunity to demonstrate their hard work, in particular this day, the Beef Project show ring.

“Our club achievement day is on May 20th in the Rosalind Arena,” noted Stang.  “This is a chance for all our members to showcase their projects and personal accomplishments over the year.”

On June 3 and 4, the Beef Project members will once again be taking to the ring during the Camrose District Show and Sale to be held at the Bashaw Ag Grounds.

This event is held with the other Beef Clubs in the district including: Camrose, Bashaw, New Norway, and Armena.  The female cattle show will take place June 3rd and the steer show on June 4th, culminating with the sale on June 4 at 6 p.m.

This Show and Sale is a great opportunity for the 4-H Beef Club members to experience first hand the payoff of hard work, with the presentation of various awards and the ultimate sale of their animals.