Christian Peterson
reporter.riverbendnews@gmail.com
Florida 4-H and Future Farmers of America are integral to the community, especially in the rural region that makes up the tri-county area. Some resident children will never know a day they didn't work with or around livestock. This is why the Chick-Chain is one of the most fun and helpful programs that is run by the UF/IFAS Extension office.
A chick-chain show is especially popular with the younger kids. At the beginning of the year, students are given a baby chick and raise it throughout the year. Eventually, once it has become a full grown layer, they show it off at the Chick Chain Show.
Lafayette County is especially steeped in rural culture, and the Chick-Chain program is beloved by all. In fact, the students are already hard at work practicing for the county show. They have one more practice scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 21, from 3 p.m. until 4 p.m. Then, the big day will come two weeks later, on Tuesday, Sept. 3, when they host the Lafayette County Chick Chain Show starting at 6 p.m. To top it all off, on Tuesday, Sept. 10, a week later, there will be the Quad County Chick Chain Show in Madison County.
After spending months raising these chicks, the students are excited to show off their chickens to everyone. To get involved in Florida 4-H, contact your local extension office:
Lafayette 4-H:
Email: jessjohnson@ufl.edu
Phone: (386) 294- 1279
Hamilton 4-H:
Email: hamilton@ifas.ufl.edu
Phone: (386) 792- 1276
Suwannee 4-H:
Email: suwannee@ifas.ufl.edu
Phone: (386) 362- 2771