I want to first let you all read an article posted by CNN on June 23, 2011. To understand the following article.
http://eatocracy.cnn.com/2011/06/23/does-4-h-desensitize-kids-to-killing/?hpt=hp_c2
I hope you read the article and all the responses as well. The part of the article that really got me fired up was a response, I copied it for you all to read:
I don't and would never support the 4-H. This group helps desensitize youngsters into having no emotional attachment to animals raised for food. For those who say no one should have attachment to animals raised for food, I say "of course". This is how the meat industry stays in business. If children are raised to love all animals and not try to see them as products, they would not be interested in seeing them killed. "Listening to the auctioneer and seeing how excited the children get when their animal is purchased is an incredibly fulfilling experience."
Really? Incredibly fulfilling experience. You mean knowing the animal that trusted you from birth is off to be mistreated before being slaughtered! That's fulfilling? Maybe that's because the 4-H has successfully desensitized these children who may have once be appalled by this. It's simply horrific. Shame on you 4-H for what you do to animals and to children. - Heather King
She obviously was NOT a 4-Her. I am a 12 year member of 4-H, and I was enrolled in mini 4-H since I was five. Then moved into regular 4-H when I turned seven. Do you want to guess what was my first project was? Bucket Calf.
My bucket calf's name was Sock's. She was a Holstein cross and I loved her. I got up every morning at 6am before school to feed her. And every night before bed we would feed her again. Last fall we had to sell Sock's because she was getting too old, and trust me every person at the Bulk household was crying that day.
As the years went on I moved out of bucket calf, and into showing steers. I've been showing steers since I was 10, I am now 18. I still cry every time I have to put a steer on the trailer that isn't going back home. I don't know ANY 4-Her who is "desensitized" and doesn't love their animals day in- and day out.
Last year at the county fair I cried with a 7 year old little girl while we both loaded our steers on the trailer. It doesn't matter if your 7 or 18, its still hard to say goodbye to such a great friend!
As 4-Her's we understand why we raise our animals, we realize that they were put on this earth to help feed our family, friends, and community members. What we don't understand is why people who don't know our story try to shut down the organization we so dearly love! If we could just get them to see the real side of Agriculture, not the side that the media portrays. So my challenge to you is: Find 4-Her's in your area who have livestock, and ask them about their story! Ask them about their livestock project, ask them what they have learned, ask them if its hard for them on Auction night to say goodbye to their animals. Because I promise you every one of them will tell you how difficult it is for them!
4-H does not desensitize America's youth! 4-H teaches you responsibility, leadership, communication skills and so much more! I have to thank 4-H for so many of my accomplishments, I can honestly say I wouldn't be the person I am today if 4-H hadn't been apart of my life! So please don't believe this article take it from someone who is actually IN 4-H, it's a great organization that teaches you so much. And I would recommend it to anyone.
God Bless,
Lindsay
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