The Botetourt County 4-H and FFA Alumni Association will sponsor the 10th annual 4-H and FFA Youth Expo at Lord Botetourt High School this Friday, February 28, from 5:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. The 4-H Share-the-Fun Showcase will be held in the auditorium at 6:30 p.m.
The public is invited to attend the showcase and tour exhibits from local members who are active in the Future Farmers of America (FFA) and 4-H youth groups. Activities include interacting with club members at display booths, seeing local livestock, learning archery skills, an enormous silent auction, and free hot dogs while they last. The 4-H Share-the-Fun is also an annual event featuring a local competition of junior, intermediate and senior 4-H members.
Photos by Matt de Simone
The annual Youth Expo showcases the FFA chapters and 4-H programs in Botetourt. Each chapter and many of the 4-H clubs will have an informational table in the cafeteria. Attendees can see each group’s activities and request information if they want to join a specific club or chapter. The silent auction will benefit the local 4-H program and FFA chapters, through the 4-H and FFA Alumni Group.
The Youth Expo offers several benefits to Botetourt County’s youth:
- Skill Development: Participants enhance skills in areas such as cooking, beekeeping, horse handling, robotics, livestock care, and shooting education
- Leadership and Responsibility: Engaging in club activities fosters leadership abilities and a sense of responsibility among youth
- Community Engagement: The event strengthens community ties by showcasing local talent and agricultural heritage.
4-H clubs featured at past Expos include:
- Honey Bee Club: teaches safe hive management and honey collection
- Cooking Kings Club: focusing on baking, cooking skills, and nutrition
- Horse and Pony Club: covers horse handling, judging, and hippology
- Robotics Clubs: including FRC Robotics and Lego Robotics, emphasizing STEM education
- Livestock Club: provides knowledge on animal care and training
- Shooting Education Club: offers training in rifle, shotgun, archery, and air pistol disciplines
- Teen Leadership Club: focuses on developing leadership skills among teens
Graphic courtesy of Botetourt 4-H/FFA Alumni
“The Youth Expo would not be possible without the dedication of volunteers, FFA chapter members and advisors, 4-H members, and the leadership committee of the Botetourt County 4-H and FFA Alumni Association,” Extension Agent Tyler Painter shared. “The planning process for this event begins in the fall, right around the start of the new school year. It takes efforts from countless individuals to prepare and facilitate this program successfully each year. Having this event at Lord Botetourt High School has been a great success and we are thankful for the partnership with LBHS and Botetourt County Public Schools, allowing us to use their facilities.”
The alumni group was formed by adult volunteers who value the lessons and experiences that 4-H or FFA provided them in their youth. The organization provides support to clubs and chapters across Botetourt County. Follow Botetourt’s FFA and 4-H Alumni on Facebook at BoCoFFA4H.
~ Fincastle Herald staff report
