Beef Play Day

4-H Members Attend 7^th Annual Beef Play Day

After a heavy rain storm Friday night, Saturday morning, November 5^th dawned cold but clear at the Spanish Ranch in New Cuyama, site of the Santa Barbara County 4-H Youth Development Program’s Beef Play Day. It was the 7^th year Pamela Doiron graciously served in the dual roles of event chair and host for this increasingly popular event.

Almost one hundred people from three counties joined together for Beef Play Day, including eighteen 4-H leaders and forty-seven 4-H youth. Local clubs Los Amigos 4-H and Cuyama Valley 4-H sent the most participants. Others came from Morro Bay, and some folks came all the way from the San Diego County town of Fallbrook.

It was a multi-generational educational gathering. The youngest person there was a 2-month old baby nicknamed, “Mooo-kinzie” and the most experienced fellow was over 60 years old.

Abundant interaction took place among everyone thanks to an ice-breaker name game run by Debbie Torres.

Seven special guests and speakers, including auctioneer Jim Glines, 4-H Program Representative Brian Sikich, and a local Farm Supply Representative helped with the activities. Educational sessions encompassed show ring etiquette, auctioneering, writing a buyer letter, making a rope halter, fitting and clipping. Participants received a supply of educational materials.

Once the busy day ended and night fell, the rainy weather returned. Pamela Doiron retreated to the warmth of her house. When she read the evaluation sheets, she was pleased to see comments like “I loved it! Do it again!” and “Keep doing it. It was great!”

The youth, families, volunteers and staff of the Santa Barbara County 4-H Youth Development Program appreciate Pamela for planning and hosting Beef Play Day for the past seven years. We are looking forward to the next one.