I’m in 4-H and one of my 4-H projects is rabbits. Here’s a brief description of what 4-H is: it was developed for rural youths, and its purpose was for personal growth of a member using projects for achievement and growth. Life skills are built into 4-H projects, activities and events that help members become productive members of society.

Since there is a rapidly decreasing number of kids in rural Iowa, one of the ways 4-H members not living on a farm can have livestock projects is to raise rabbits. Rabbit showing at the county fair has become very popular, and we have outgrown the rabbit barn at our fairgrounds.

Raising rabbits has taught me about life and death. I was very sad to find one of my best rabbits had died trying to give birth, but when one has a litter of bunnies, it’s exciting. I have learned about responsibility. These rabbits depend on me for their food, water, and shelter. It doesn’t matter if I would rather play a computer game or read; I have to take care of my rabbits. In an “all about me” society, I have learned that it’s not all about me, and I think I have become a better person because of it!

P.S. Photography is also one of my 4-H projects.