If you have a 5-18 year old who is interested in either rabbits or poultry as a possible 4-H project, now is the time to get involved! Bon Homme County 4-H Rabbit and Poultry Club is a friendly group that will help you get started on the right foot in a 4-H Small Animal project. Not only is a small animal project fun, but it can teach so many valuable lessons! • The responsibility of caring for the animals is a huge life lesson, and the manageable size of the animals means it truly can be a hands-on youth project. • The cost of getting started with rabbits or poultry is more manageable than some of the other livestock projects in 4-H. This project also doesn't take a lot of space and works even in a small yard or shed making it perfect for 4-H members in town! Poultry projects can also provide fresh eggs for the family. • There is lots of science involved, from decoding nutrition labels to biosecurity to genetics. • Our club emphasizes cooperation and support for each person. Everyone likes to win, but we all help each other out, too. • Communication skills are developed as youth learn to talk to judges and ask experienced exhibitors or breeders for help and guidance. Youth learn how to present themselves with confidence, and they also learn record-keeping skills that will transfer to their adult lives. • There are community service opportunities where we take some of our animals to petting zoos, other 4-H events, nursing homes and more. Seeing the joy that our animals bring to others is a great experience! • *Youth get the chance to learn from some really excellent mentors. There are great breeders and exhibitors of both rabbit and poultry in our area, and getting to know them is a truly wonderful thing! If this project area sounds like something your child would be interested in, please join us for a meeting or contact our Rabbit & Poultry Volunteer leader, Sara Schott (605-760-3340/saraschott33@gmail.com) for more information. Our next meeting will be February 27 at 6:30 at the 4-H Center in Tyndall. Rabbit & Poultry Club meets throughout the spring and summer (usually every 4-6 weeks) to help members learn and prepare for Achievement Days and potentially the State Fair. We also offer a Fun Show in November that gives kids from across the state (and even some out-of-staters!) another chance to compete with their animals.