Editor's Note: The following is our latest 4-H Member of the Month, sponsored by Nelson Motors and Equipment. We thank Nelson Motors for their continued support of this initiative, and we salute 4-H for continuing to make a difference in the lives of young people.
Club: Carievale 4-H Beef Club
Age: 17
Age group: Senior
Years in 4-H: 10
Agriculture, cattle and 4-H run deep for Braden Thompson.
His family has always lived on a farm and they've always had cattle. His father, sister and grandfather were in 4-H. All of these experiences inspired him to be part of Carievale's club.
"I've enjoyed helping little kids now that I'm a senior. I've enjoyed watching other people show animals and I've enjoyed showing my animals, working with the cows and everything like that," said Thompson.
He has learned a lot through 4-H about cattle, including things he would have never known, such as what to look for and the medicine to use.
Among his favourite experiences is attending the provincial 4-H camp twice. He hangs out with people for a week, and enjoys activities and nightly suppers. The provincial AGM is another great function.
He also enjoys showing cattle and meeting fellow members from other clubs in the southeast.
"It's cool for them to get to know other people and learn more about 4-H itself," he said.
Thompson said the Carievale club is great to be part of. Older members will help a first-year member who doesn't know anything about cattle. Members all work hard and want to fit in.
"Carievale is a well-organized club. They like to do things very, very easily. It's not a club with a lot of complications. We like to get to the point. We don't like to have our meetings super long. We like to keep them short and sweet the best we can. With the group of kids we have, it makes the club awesome and spectacular," said Thompson.
