(The following article was written by 4-H youth member Lacie.)

Hello! My name is Lacie. I’m 17 years old, a senior at Sutter Union High School, and proud to share that I’ll be attending the University of Hawaii at Manoa this fall to major in business. As I prepare for this exciting next chapter, I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on what got me here—and without a doubt, 4-H has been one of the most impactful parts of my journey.

I’ve been a member of the Sutter Buttes 4-H Club for the past 12 years, and I’ve loved every minute of it. What started as a simple interest in animals has turned into a lifelong passion for leadership, community service, and personal growth. Over the years, I’ve held several leadership roles including refreshment officer, activities officer, historian, treasurer, president, and currently, vice president of programs. Each position has taught me skills I’ll carry forever—like responsibility, organization, time management, and the importance of teamwork.

One of the most meaningful parts of my 4-H experience has been serving as a teen leader in several project areas, including chickens, ducks, pygmy goats, and beginning baking. Working with younger members has taught me patience, understanding, and just how rewarding it can be to mentor and support others.

Community involvement is a huge part of what makes 4-H special. For over five years, I’ve participated in and volunteered at Bi-County Presentation Day. I earned a gold star for my own presentation when I was younger, and later returned as a room coordinator and youth judge. These opportunities pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me develop two of the most valuable skills I have today—public speaking and confidence.

Of course, 4-H wouldn’t be complete without animal projects. I’ve shown a variety of animals over the years, including pygmy goats, chickens, ducks, rabbits, swine, and beef. I started showing animals when I was just 5 years old and began raising and selling market animals at 9. My pygmy goat, Horseshoe, won Grand Champion Pygmy Goat Wether when I was 7. Since then, I’ve been honored to win Champion 4-H Senior Pygmy Goat Showman for the past three years. After years of dedication and studying, I also earned the title of Champion 4-H Senior Master Showman—an achievement I’m extremely proud of.

When I turned 9, I began raising Poultry Meat Pens, which are pairs of market chickens that are the same sex and nearly identical in weight. My first year, I took home Reserve Champion, and since then, I’ve won Champion, Supreme Champion, and 3rd Overall in the 4-H Poultry Meat Pen division. This year, I’m excited to be raising a market hog to take to the Yuba-Sutter Fair for the first time.

I invite everyone to come out and support local youth in agriculture at the Junior Livestock Auction on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at the Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds. It’s a great way to see the hard work and dedication that goes into these projects—and every bid supports young people pursuing their dreams.

These accomplishments would not have been possible without 4-H. This program has shaped me into a leader, a mentor, and a confident young adult ready to take on new challenges. I’m so grateful for everything 4-H has taught me and the community it has given me.

To any parents reading this: I encourage you to get your kids involved in 4-H as early as possible. It’s not just about animals or baking—4-H builds responsible, passionate leaders for our future. And I’m proud to say, I’m one of them.