Learning Life Skills

The 4-H Program’s roots run deep in Boundary County and go nearly as far back as the program itself. Established in the county back in 1917, the program continues to uphold a long tradition of giving youth and children opportunities to learn and grow through a variety of individual projects, many of which focus on agriculture.

4-H was founded in the 1890s as a way to stave off the youth from heading to the city for greater opportunities than the country had to offer. The program in turn opened doors for the next generation in the country, teaching them about the advances in agriculture and thus sustaining the rural economy.

Boundary County, which includes Bonners Ferry and Moyie Springs, is still largely a rural community. Most farms and ranches are family owned, and many kids participate in 4-H projects throughout their childhoods.

“The 4-H program in Boundary County provides youth a lot of opportunities for growth and learning. Projects range from raising livestock to cooking, sewing, shooting sports, entomology and gardening,” said Amy Robertson, the Family Consumer Science/4-H Youth Development Extension Educator at the University of Idaho Extension in Boundary County. The 4-H program in each state is supported by the land grant university, she explained.

“The projects the kids do reflect the community we live in. The focus is mainly livestock animals – rabbit, poultry, cattle, swine and sheep – but many of the kids also do other projects,” she said.

Most kids start when they are 8 to 10 years old and many stay until their teenage years when some join the Future Farmers of America (FFA) at school. However, overall, most kids stay in 4-H, she said.

Even after they finish the program, 4-H kids eventually return as volunteers. “Some kids come back and volunteer or go on to collegiate 4-H. Many times, we see them come back as parents,” Robertson said.

And 4-H couldn’t be as strong as it is without the support of the community. There is a tremendous outpouring of support at the Market Animal Sale, held the Friday of the Boundary County Fair where community members and businesses purchase the animals raised by 4-H kids.

“We have the best community support that I’ve seen,” Robertson said. “Every animal gets purchased, and kids get good prices. Even during rougher times, we still get good support.”

Growing up with 4-H

Andrea Maas, a senior at Bonners Ferry High School this year, grew up in the 4-H program in Moyie Springs. She followed in the footsteps of her two older sisters who had also participated in 4-H.

“It’s all been through our family and has been a lot of fun,” Andrea said. The best part of being in 4-H is “that feeling of accomplishment about what you’ve raised.”

Andrea lives on a swine and steer ranch, and her 4-H projects each year involved raising swine. 4-H projects are no small feat. Raising the animals from birth takes several months and involves keeping records of everything that was done, such as doing demonstrations, training, and the supplies purchased. Swine have razor sharp milk teeth that need to be shaved. There are also shots, docking (clipping) of the tails and notching of the ears. The animals also have to be trained for show.

All her hard work culminated at the Market Animal Sale, where her animals frequently received a ribbon for quality and on occasion won Grand Champion.

“When you sell your animals, it’s exciting and overwhelming. The night you sell it and realize that’s the last time you’ll see your animal, it’s really sad too,” Andrea said.

Being in 4-H for seven years helped her with her shyness by having to speak about her projects. She participated in 4-H until high school when she switched to Future Farmers of America (FFA) because the program, which holds its meetings at the high school, allows students to travel and attend conferences. Now, she raises steers.

“It was more of a challenge to work with the larger animals, and that’s what made me switch to FFA,” she said.

This year, Andrea will take a food science class, and she said there is a good possibility that she’ll continue working in agriculture beyond graduation.

“It’s a lot of work mainly in the evenings. You have to make sure there is enough food and that they get enough exercise,” she said. “I’m proud – my steers always place high.”

4-H Leadership for Life

Andrea and numerous other 4-H kids have been led under the direction of her father, Russ Maas. He and his wife, Cindy, have been volunteer leaders for their two older daughters and Andrea plus up to 30 to 40 kids.

As leaders, they held monthly meetings, and Maas also served on the Leadership Council, which is in charge of organizing the Boundary County Fair. He’s passed on the torch of leadership since Andrea switched to FFA but still answers phone calls about animal care to 4-H members.

“A lot of kids have no idea at first, but by the time the fair’s over, they know all about it,” he said.

The 4-H program not only teaches kids about agriculture, among other things, it teaches them lessons for life.

“Kids learn a lot about public speaking. They need to do demonstrations and talk about their animals. It’s important to know about the animal they’ve raised,” he said.

Maas too participated in 4-H as a child and also raised swine. His mother raised swine and sold piglets to 4-H kids, a tradition he still upholds at his ranch. Each year, he sells 75 to 100 piglets to 4-H kids, and he helps them get set up to raise the animals.

“Being in 4-H has meant a lot – I love helping the kids out,” Maas said. “It’s nice to go to fair and see how the swine (we sell) perform as quality animals. We’ve had lots of Grand Champions as well as with the steer.”

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