Area youth takes saving 4-H into her own hands

Voters might not have been able to support extra funding for OSU Extension, with a levy, but one little is is trying to raise enough funds to keep 4-H programming going - using the skills she has learned in 4-H. 

Sara Young, 10, of Lynchburg, has said that she will donate all the proceeds of her lamb sales to help keep Extension up and running in Highland County. 

The idea of donating the funds developed from a conversation between two siblings, 10-year-old Sarah and 15-year-old Shawn Young. 

"Initially it was a discussion between her brother and her to try to figure out what they should do to save 4-H,"  said the siblings' mother, Michelle Young. "She said she would be the one to donate the proceeds of her animal. She's younger and she has more years to go in 4-H and is a little more active."

Sarah has shown in open classes all of the state, as well as nationally, according to Michelle. 

"To her, it's a little more of a 'career' and on top of that, she really enjoys it. She has said to me, 'Mom, it's like my Little League. It can't end.'"

After seeing the state champion lamb sell for $45,000 this year at the state fair, Sarah and Shawn said that amount of money could help save extension in Highland County and keep their 4-H programs going. 

Michelle said that although her family spends the year going to lamb shows across the country, everything is in anticipation of the Highland County Fair. 

"In all honesty, the other shows are pretty much practice for the Highland County Fair," Michelle said. "That is the reason we started showing, specifically so she would be able to get out and show her lambs and get used to being in the ring. It was all for the county fair."

Sarah has spent her life growing up on her family's three and a half acres, and is carrying on her family's 4-H legacy, as Michelle also showed lambs. 

"If there is an animal, she wants it. She would show them all if she could," Michelle said. "When she was young, she grabbed a lamb and has been showing them ever since."

In the weeks leading up to the fair, Sarah had raised around $5,000. 

"There are other people who have started chipping in and about five people have committed to contribute more, Michelle said. "The majority of the funds have come from her show family, and people she sees at shows. We're trying not to burden the buyers that are already sponsoring 4-H. We want the kids who are selling to enjoy the projects, to still reap the benefits of their hard work. As soon as they found out they said, 'Hey, I want to bid on that lamb. I want to be a part of that.'" 

Anyone who is interested in contributing can visit any Fifth Third Bank and ask about the Sarah Young 4-H Extension Fund.