EXPERIENCES LEND LASTING LESSONS

On a snowy Saturday in early March, 15-year-old Justin Miller could be hanging out at the mall, playing video games or perusing social media.

Instead, the dedicated 4-H member braves icy cold weather to attend to Moose, an 820-pound steer that he helped birth a year ago at Whistlestop Farm in Perry Township.

Justin

Justin, who attends Riverside High School, is one of hundreds of young people in Lake County who are part of 4-H, an organization that helps kids learn lifelong lessons through involvement in a variety of activities. This is the first in an ongoing series following 4-H participants as they raise and care for animals leading up to the Lake County Fair and the Great Geauga County Fair.

Many choose to raise and care for animals which are often shown in competitions throughout the year and at the Lake County Fair in July. After the fair 4-H’ers can sell their animals for profit.

Last year Joughin Hardware in Painesville paid Justin $3,500 for Rocky, another steer raised by the teen. The money is tucked away for a truck he’s eager to buy.

On July 24, the opening day of the 2018 Lake County Fair, Justin hopes that the

already mega Moose will have packed on an additional 300 or more pounds, making the beefy guy more profitable when he’s eventually sold at market.

Earning money is merely one of multiple benefits gained through belonging to 4-H. Others are confidence, independence and responsibility.

Mike DeCola who owns Whistlestop Farm is a businessman who says his experience with 4-H while growing up has been invaluable. He credits his strong skills in public speaking, leadership and knowledge of animals to his many years as a 4-H’er.

“It’s not just agriculture, it’s what it teaches you,” he said.

DeCola said that he built the farm to give kids who don’t have a place to raise animals the chance to do so. About six families keep animals there and benefit not only from the space but from DeCola’s willingness to share his treasure trove of knowledge.

“I want to give back what I was afforded to do,” he said.

Brenna and Carson

DeCola’s grandchildren, Brenna and Carson Shaffer, are avid 4-H members.

Brenna, 15, who attends Perry High School, plans to show goats at the Lake County Fair and has raised Grand and Reserve champions in the past.

Brutus, a steer that her younger brother Carson is raising, earned second place at a recent show in Holmes County.

From October 2016 through September 2017

about 440 members were enrolled in Lake County 4-H. And some have withstood razzing from those who don’t fully understand what the organization is all about.

“I used to be embarrassed,” Brenna said. “But now it’s like ‘This is what I do.’ I’m not going to be ashamed of it. I’ve raised a lot of money and it’s going to help me with college. The shows are really fun and I like hanging out with friends and learning new things.”

Seamus

This will be 8-year-old Seamus Bly’s first year competing in 4-H.

Earlier, the third-grade student at Hale Elementary School in Painesville Township belonged to Cloverbuds, an informal 4-H educational program designed for younger children.

With the help of his parents, Brad and Samantha Bly, Seamus is raising two miniature Hereford cows named Oz and Rosie.

Brad and Samantha met as teens while involved in 4-H. Later, they both served as 4-H advisers and now are happy to support their son in his efforts.

Samantha, who teaches at Willowick Middle School, said that she’s noticed additional membership is emanating from the less rural western end of Lake County, a possible sign that the program is gaining ground.

Anya and Griffin

Regan Demshar of Painesville Township is another former 4-H member who wants her children to experience the program’s abundant advantages.

Anya, 14, and Griffin, 12, attend Riverside Schools, and each is raising a steer

and lambs. They too are hoping their animals gain significant weight prior to fair time.

Whenever the steers are weighed Anya and Griffin examine how much and what type of food is needed to help reach their goal.

The excellent care shown to their animals in past years have helped them attain numerous honors.

Trent

Last year was the first time Trent Taylor showed animals at the fair. The 9-year-old Perry Elementary School student brought one steer, two pigs and two pens of chickens, all of which earned awards.

“I did not do well just by luck. I worked hard every single day and it paid off,” he said.

Sam Taylor, Trent’s dad, agrees.

“For a 9-year-old he has gained an amazing work ethic and overall a great sense of responsibility,” he said.

Adding an extra steer for this year’s fair increases his duties, but he’s willing to take up the task.

“All I can do and have control of is working hard and being dedicated,” he said.

For those with interests outside of the animal realm, 4-H provides numerous possibilities.

“You can do anything… photography, gerbils, sewing… if you can think about it there’s probably something you can do,” Justin said. “You don’t have to live in the country to be in 4-H “It’s a lot more fun than I thought it would be. It’s a great experience.”

JEAN BONCHAK — THE NEWS-HERALD Brad Bly of Painesville Township helps to clean Oz, his son’s Miniature Hereford cow. While growing up Bly and his wife, Samantha, were 4-H members and now support their son Seamus in his 4-H efforts.

JEAN BONCHAK — THE NEWS-HERALD Justin Miller helps out by unloading a 1,000-pound bale of hay at Whistlestop Farm in Perry Township where his steer is kept. Learning responsibility is among key lessons gleaned from 4-H membership.