Wow, here is a story that is sure to elicit response from the many 4-H members, past and present, who are in The Western Producer readership. It’s from a website called Eatocracy, and it’s entitled Does 4-H Desensitize Kids to Killing?
The article is apparently a follow to an earlier piece that encourages purchase of 4-H steers.
As a former 4-H member, my answer to the question posed in the headline of the article is an emphatic NO. The market steer project, which is the focus in this case, teaches animal husbandry, sensitivity to animals, work ethic and the workings of the cattle business. It teaches humane handling of food animals, rather than the opposite.
Rose Templeton is a former 4-H member from southern Alberta who also took issue with the story. She blogged about it here. You’ll have to scroll down a bit to read her opinion on the topic.
Any thoughts from 4-Hers, 4-H alumni, leaders and/or cattle producers out there? We’d like to hear (read) them.
4-H and sensitivity to animals
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