Debbie Cooper looks content decked out in garden gloves and rain boots.
Looking over her shoulder, her cat Seth walks by with what appears to be a dead rat in its mouth. B次元官网网址淪heB次元官网网址檚 a good ratterB次元官网网址� she says, rubbing her gloved hands over her miniature horse Little Joe.
Cooper, who last January revived the once-popular youth club 4-H, aimed at animals and agriculture, is passionate about rural living. But her seven-year-old daughter may even love the lifestyle more than her.
B次元官网网址淟ast year I tried (sending her to) soccer, but it always came back to her love of animals,B次元官网网址� Cooper said. B次元官网网址淣ot all kids are interested in sports and it is still nice to have a club that keeps the interest in what (they) are interested in.B次元官网网址�
For its inaugural year, about a dozen pioneering 4-H kids delved into bike safety and public speaking, among other confidence building activities. B次元官网网址�4-H isnB次元官网网址檛 just about animals,B次元官网网址� Cooper remarked. B次元官网网址淜ids can learn about small engine repair, public speaking and sewing. ThereB次元官网网址檚 a lot of different things in 4-H.B次元官网网址�
That said, this year the Metchosin-based club will focus on the farm, with lessons in horticulture, honey bees, sheep, beef and poultry. The program allows largely urban kids from the West Shore and Sooke to be connected with where their dinner comes from, in a hands-on way.
B次元官网网址淚t is about keeping farming in the community B次元官网网址� but contrary to popular belief you donB次元官网网址檛 have to have a farm to get involved,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淲e teach them about the farm animals, we are providing activities that make it fun.B次元官网网址�
Cooper hopes to expand the program in the West Shore to include older children who can branch off into more specific fields such as sheep or horses. Eventually 4-H kids of all ages could show these animals off at events including the Luxton Fair and Metchosin Day, where stalls to accommodate the activity already exist but currently sit dusty and unused.
B次元官网网址淭o be able to teach kids how to grow (their) own vegetables, have your own eggs, have your own sustainable living. That is big in our world today,B次元官网网址� Cooper said. B次元官网网址淏uying local and the 100-mile diet B次元官网网址� that is what I enjoy, bringing that back to our kids.B次元官网网址�
Eight-year-old Francis Barss who will enter his second year with West Shore 4-H, just canB次元官网网址檛 get enough of the animals, especially the sheep.
B次元官网网址淚 have had quite a bit of fun (with) sheep because they are big and warm and fluffy,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址�(Animals) are quite fun ... I would recommend it.B次元官网网址�
Enrolment is $140 per child to fund field trips and 4-H curriculum, and takes place Dec. 18 at Metchosin Community House, 2 to 3 p.m. For more information email debbiecooper@shaw.ca.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com
