4-H's Crop of Non-Farm Kids

The National 4-H is tracking its progress in meeting its outreach goals. In 2003, the last year for which statistics were compiled, the organization reported that of 7 million youths enrolled nationally, 57 percent lived in urban and suburban areas, and 31 percent identified themselves as minorities.

About 1,000 Montgomery children are members of 4-H, with an almost equal split between city kids and those in more rural areas, said Jeannie Raines, the county 4-H's program assistant. The county has about 22 traditional animal clubs, where kids learn about livestock such as cattle, goats, horses, pigs, sheep and poultry. Another 20 groups are known as community clubs, with core programs in nutrition, managing daily finances and cooking and menu planning.

There are community clubs for people interested in aerospace, science and technology and fashion. There are clubs for pet owners who show their animals at the fair and handle their animals during competitions in agility and obedience. A handful of parents whose children are home-schooled formed a suburban Montgomery club to give their kids a social outlet.

"There's a club for just about any interest," Raines said. "People form clubs if they have a special interest, like raising pets or the home-school group."

Anyone who wants to focus on a particular theme is welcome to round up members and propose a new club, Raines said.

In the Olney home of Kathy and Brian MacMillan, pets are the reigning interest. The couple's five daughters, ranging in age from 9 to 18, crowded into the kitchen last weekend along with two adult standard poodles, a standard poodle puppy and two barking dogs on loan from neighbors. (The extra dogs ensured that everyone had an animal during practice sessions.)

While the parents finished entertaining guests in the living room, the sisters explained that they mostly get along pretty well, maybe because they like a lot of the same things. They like dogs and being home-schooled by their mother. And they really like the excitement of going into the ring for the county fair's dog show.

In the show, the girls will compete according to age group, taking turns handling the poodles and the springer spaniel and golden retriever belonging to the neighbors.

Dog show competitors also will be required to perform in another of the 4-H's long traditions: the oral presentation, followed by a question-and-answer session with a panel of adult club leaders and judges. At the club level, members go through the oral presentation when they complete a project and want official recognition in the form of a ribbon or certificate.

At the fair, good speaking skills are rewarded with prize money and the judges' acclamation.

Besilica Reaves will need polished skills when she presents an explanation of her Fiesta table setting, complete with maracas, jalapeño peppers grown in the backyard garden and other nods to her Puerto Rican heritage on her mother's side.

She'll need the skills again when she performs her official functions as a member of the fair's royal court -- five princesses and four princes chosen for their service to the fair and the 4-H. One function will be to make a presentation on the floor-length gown she made by hand and will wear Sunday during a ceremony to announce this year's king and queen.

"I've liked 4-H so much, especially for the public speaking stuff," Reaves said. "That's what I can see is helpful, that's tangible as far as right now."

The oral presentation is an area in which the MacMillan sisters have excelled, winning championships and prizes. The older MacMillan sisters say the confidence and communication skills they gained will stay with them after their time in the 4-H has ended.

The oldest daughter, Elizabeth, 18, recently attended a graduation ceremony for home-schooled kids in the area and hopes to study English and biology in college. She's thinking about a career as a science writer. No matter what happens, she said, she feels prepared.

"It started out as interacting with the dogs," she said. "But it's communicating, and everybody needs good communication, in life and in work."