4-H Market Hog Auction at Houlton Fair marks 13th season
Maine 4-H has a lot to celebrate on its 100th birthday — deep roots, a large, supportive family and a lot of successes.
Today, 4-H youth programs enrich children’s lives through technology and hands-on programming.
4-H which stands for head, hands, heart and health — is the youth development branch of University of Maine Cooperative Extension. UMaine Extension leaders and volunteers utilize university resources to develop the life skills and broaden horizons of 30,000 Maine children each year.
If youth ages 5–18 are interested in raising steers, making cheese, shearing goats, learning about tractor safety, sewing, growing vegetables and being a member of a Dairy Quiz Bowl Team, UMaine Extension has opportunities for them.
And if they’re fascinated with rocketry, adventure camps, new media photography, Junior Maine Guiding, public speaking, climate change and alternative energy, website development and LEGO robotics, 4-H has programs for them as well.
While 4-H has grown in size and scope since its inception in Maine in 1913, its core belief is the same — children are the promise for the future.
As 4-H history goes, in the late 1800s and early 1900s, farmers were reluctant to use new agricultural techniques developed by public university researchers, so universities established rural youth programs to introduce the concepts to children, which they eagerly shared with their parents.
Did you know that pigs are the most ancient of all farm animals? Scientists have found fossils that indicate that the hog is 40 million years old. There are five kids here in Aroostook County who are discovering the fun and enjoyment involved with raising their own hogs for market. These youth are participating in the UMaine Extension 4-H Market Hog Auction at the Houlton Fair Saturday, July 6 at 6 p.m. The youth have been certified in the national Youth Pork Quality Assurance Program, where they learn the latest in biosecurity and production methods and have participated locally in “Taping Tuesdays” where they measure their hogs’ growth weekly and adjust the feed requirements to achieve optimal gain.
It is lots of fun, not to mention extremely educational, to choose and purchase a 30-70 pound feeder pig and feed and care for it for four to five months until it reaches market weight at about 270 pounds. The 4-H Market Hog project is an activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family.
4-H swine projects provide youth with opportunities to expand their knowledge of swine production and, more importantly, develop the life skills that are needed to be positive contributors to society. Through swine projects youth will learn about selection and evaluation, nutrition and feeding, health and daily care, reproduction, marketing and much more. Youth learn to accept responsibility, to value hard work, think critically, make decisions and become effective communicators.
Why not mark your calendar to attend and support your local youth and fill your freezer with quality local pork at the same time? Come and bid on one of these exceptional animals at the Houlton Agricultural Fair!
