VFW National Home for Children’s 4-H Program

The 4-H program at the VFW National Home for Children is designed to teach children responsibility, give them a sense of accomplishment, and to provide a chance to have fun.  The animal program provides an ideal environment for “learning by doing”, which is one of the mottos of 4-H.  Our 4-H club is called the “VFW Dynamos” and we raise rabbits and hogs that are shown at the Eaton County Fair in July.  To be eligible, a child must be between 9 and 19 years of age.

The animal program requires a large time commitment.  It is a three and a half month long program.  Children are encouraged to go to the farm every day to work with their animal, since the amount of time spent with their animal directly affects their success at the fair. 

 

The hog program is best for children who have shown responsibility in other committed activities. Raising a pig requires hard physical work cleaning pens and feeding and training the pigs.

Raising a rabbit is not as physically challenging as raising a pig, but it does require a large time commitment. Children showing rabbits at the fair are expected to know a great deal of information about rabbits in general, and their breed in particular.

All animals are sold at the fair by auction.

Michigan Day 2013

A big “Thank You” to the Department of Michigan for a great Michigan Day 2013!  It was great to have Department VFW National Home Director Lloyd Putnam, State Commander Ron Devereaux and State President Marilyn Malick on campus.

The weather was perfect and there were many activities including a fishing contest, digging for coins in the sand, and hayrides. Fun was had by all!