By Sheila Phibbs
The Haldimand Press
One of the highlights of the fall for 4-H members is participating at the fall fairs. This is especially true for livestock club members vying for the chance to compete at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. The Royal is cancelled for the second consecutive year, but this has not dampened the enthusiasm of Haldimand 4-H Beef Club members. After a year without shows, they are eager to return to the local fairs, including their 4-H Achievement Day at the Caledonia Fair.
The 20 members of the Beef Club started meeting this summer and have been learning what it means to raise cattle. Activities have included animal nutrition, the fundamentals of beef production, and a tour of a local feed lot. Working with and training their project animals for showing is also a focus of the club in preparation for Achievement Day on October 2, 2021.
CALEDONIA— Aaron Phibbs was the Grand Champion Beef Showperson and Overall Grand Champion Livestock Showperson at the 2019 Haldimand 4-H Achievement Day at the Caledonia Fair.
Club President Aaron Phibbs, 22, of Jarvis has been a member of the Beef Club since he was 10 years old. Now in his final year, it was important to him to finish 4-H in his favourite club. He admits that not having a Royal this year is disappointing, but he appreciates the value of competing at 4-H Achievement Day. He says, “I enjoy the challenge of training and showing my animal and helping new members learn as well. I also like talking about all aspects of the cattle business at our meetings. I hope to become a 4-H leader in the future.”
At Concordia Herefords in Jarvis, 4-H is an important part of life for the Passow family. Clarissa, 20, Rebekah, 17, and Ethan, 10, are members of the Beef Club and their mom, Sue, is one of the leaders. The family usually takes part in several 4-H and open shows, including the Junior Beef Expo in March, national breed shows, and the Royal.
While the siblings have missed showing, they are happy that the Beef Club continues to run. For Clarissa it is about the love of the animals. She says, “I still want to be able to work with cows and have fun.”
Rebekah agrees, saying, “I just love to do it. It’s still a good experience even without the big shows. We’re working with other members and helping them learn.”
One of those younger members is their brother Ethan, who is enjoying the opportunity to work with the animals and bond with them.
Opportunity is what the 4-H program is about, even during these challenging times with a limited number of clubs running. It provides members the opportunity to learn new concepts, develop new skills, work with others, and grow as leaders. While 4-H in Haldimand is smaller this year and traditional activities have been modified as necessary, members and volunteers have adapted and continue to ‘Learn to Do by Doing’, even in a pandemic.
