Member Spotlights

Austin, Los Angeles County

Austin, Leona Valley 4-H Club, Los Angeles County

Austin of Leona Valley 4-H Club in Los Angeles County has learned a lot during his six years in 4-H.  He joined 4-H because that was, “what the other 1st graders were doing,” but he soon discovered a passion for the swine project.  Austin is now the junior leader for this project and has had his share of challenges and successes while raising pigs.

Austin is also an active member of the dog care and training project.  This group helped Austin train his Labrador Retriever in obedience.  Shooting sports is Austin’s newest project endeavor.  He managed to reach his difficult goal of hitting a clay pigeon within a year.

Community service is another large aspect of Austin’s 4-H career.  He gathered items for Operation Gratitude through his dog project and sent them overseas to soldiers who work with dogs.  This project was honored with a certificate of recognition from the California State Senate.

Time management is a skill Austin learned in 4-H.  His pigs require regular care and feeding, and competitions take up a large portion of his weekends.  However, Austin feels that he has, “a better work ethic than some of [his] non 4-H friends, due to [his] responsibilities” in the program.

Author: Brenda Bass, State 4-H Office State Assistant, bcbass@ucdavis.edu