CENTRAL COASTING: 4-H programs have expanded to far more than raising livestock

A club that was once known for raising livestock has expanded it’s description to far beyond that.

The program known as 4-H has opportunities for kids and teens to participate in projects from baking, arts and crafts, to robotics and public speaking.

Project leader, Terri Storelli, says there is quite literally something for everyone. “Outside of sports achievement, it’s a place where they can explore different hobbies and passions that they might not know they have. We talk a lot about finding your spark in 4H so they can find their spark and follow it through and do that over the course of many years to grow their abilities and find their strengths. You join the club and you can really customize it to you don’t have to show animals, you don’t have to show animals, but if you choose to all the resources are there for you.”

Eve Shelton, who just moved to the Central Coast from Sacramento learned that you really don’t have to live on a farm to be a part of the program. Her son is now raising a pig for the first time.

“We’ve had the misconspection that you have to have a farm or live on a ranch to raise an animal. But we actually have a regular house that we live in. But the Salinas Valley fairgrounds here actually have pig barns across the street that you can rent. We just wish more people in the community would know that you don’t have to have a farm or ranch to have an animal,” said Shelton.

Another sterotype the program is trying to get rid of, that it’s only for boys. 11 year old Grace Hearne is in her third year of the program and says that is far from the truth, “girls can be included in the projects because they can do just as good as boys can do and you can learn to be more responsible than you already are.”

To learn more about the program or sign up, visit http://cemonterey.ucanr.edu/4-H_Program/Projects/