The Unified Showing 4-H Club empowers youth with special needs by pairing them with buddies who ensure the safety of the youth showman and lamb. There will be a selection process for both showmen (ages 8–18) and buddies (ages 14–18). Applications will be accepted Jan. 1–March 13, 2022.
The club has meetings once a month, and parents and siblings are invited in order to form bonds with people who can better understand their experiences. During the summer, practices will be held once a week at project leader Allison Walbrecht’s farm in southwest Lincoln. Youth will practice with their designated lamb that Allison’s family owns. These practices will be approximately an hour and include the showmen having the opportunity to lead their animals around, bathe, feed and learn about them. Buddies will be at the practices and accompany the showmen. Family members have the option of staying on site with their child or returning at the end of the practices.
At the end of the summer, the showmen will be able to see their hard work pay off at the 4-H Sheep Show during Lancaster County Super Fair. The club will have its own class, and the judge will ask youth questions about their lamb and themselves.
For more information about the club or to request an application form, contact Allison via the Unified Showing Facebook group or email amnwalbrecht@gmail.com.