Building a Successful Youth Rabbit Program
Every so often we lament that our youth participation has dropped from what it used to be. I believe that part of the reason is cyclic in nature. There are periods of time when there are more youth that are inclined to raise and show rabbits in any given geographic area than one will find at some other time frame within the same area. This is to be expected. On the other hand we have all seen areas or clubs that maintain a strong youth program for extended periods of time due to the efforts of individuals or an organization that serves that area. I clearly recall one such individual who spent a great deal of time promoting youth rabbit exhibitors in the 1990's and early 2000's. That person was the late Bonnie Keele from Indiana. Bonnie did not promote the youth through any type of assertiveness with the rabbit exhibition industry. Rather, she did it through compassion, assistance to youth members and development of youth programs within existing structures. Her methods provide all of us a model to follow when promoting youth Satin and Mini Satin exhibition.
Capturing and Cultivating Potential Youth Interest... The potential youth rabbit breeder might be the youngster from your neighborhood who shows an interest in your rabbit herd or it might be an unknown individual who calls you to make a simple inquiry about raising rabbits based upon a referral from one of their friends. Usually the parents of the potential youth member are involved in this type of contact. It is important to find time to nurture such interest. Have the individuals handle your rabbits and show them your rabbitry. Answer their questions. If it appears they are interested and ready to care for rabbits help them make a selection of breed and variety. As a Satin Club member we are in a unique position to direct them to our smaller Mini Satin or the larger Satin. The choice of variety is important as some are easier to raise and they have fewer disqualifications. Certain varieties are likely to be more competitive for breed honors. We need to explain about competition and tell them which varieties are most common in youth competition in the area. While some may like the idea of showing with no or minimal competition, most eventually prefer to have some competition within their variety.
The most important factor of all when promoting youth interest in raising and exhibiting rabbits is to see that the new breeder is provided with quality stock that are likely to have some immediate success on the show table, and produce offspring that can be competitive early on. In other words do not sell the new breeder your culls. If you can't provide the youth member the variety and quality they need please refer them to other breeders that might be able to fill their needs. Youthful exhibitors can easily lose interest and drop out of our hobby if they experience repeated failures on the show table early in their show career.
Two additional activities can be offered to increase the knowledge and interest of youth in raising and showing rabbits. First, sponsor a Youth Rabbit Clinic, preferably in early spring. At such a clinic a group of local judges and/or experienced breeders (including older youth) to talk to youth about raising, showing and judging rabbits. This could be a Satins and Mini Satins only experience or it could be designed to allow multiple breeds. The format could be expanded to include offering a youth show opportunity, youth judging experience, sale of show rabbits and possibly equipment sales if the number of youth participating would attract a supplier. This type of activity would be a project best sponsored by multiple members in an area rather than an individual. Contacting the local extension office and area 4-H Clubs might be useful to help with set-up and in providing advertising for such a clinic.
Secondly, your local school may provide an opportunity for you to inform children about raising rabbits and the rabbit exhibition hobby. A general presentation is probably best for lower grades. A presentation demonstrating the genetics involved in coat color or other inherited traits might go to a secondary audience. The concept is exposure of the targeted audience to our hobby. In general we need to do a better job of increasing interest and awareness of rabbit exhibition and helping new youthful breeders grow the necessary skills to be successful with rabbits.
Moving Our Youth Toward Success... It is essential that once we have beginning youth members starting to show rabbits that we put in place some support services to insure their future success and growth. Perhaps the best source to provide this is our local, state and national clubs, both general and breeds specific organizations. Their memberships provide excellent and informative magazines, newsletters, guide books and web sites that will answer many questions for new and experienced breeders. Any adult in the rabbit hobby should make the new breeder who is purchasing rabbits aware of these valuable resources. I am aware of Satin/Mini Satin breeders who have provided and pay for an initial membership in the ASRBA as a part of the sales transaction. Such a membership provision would qualify for a $5.00 reduction in membership rate under newly revised by-laws. If we provide excited new members with support they are more likely to enjoy our breeds and be successful.
We can further attract and hold youth members by helping them learn the things we now often take for granted. When to breed, how to deal with heat and cold conditions in the rabbitry, how to evaluate rabbits for show potential and make culling decisions, how to enter a show and then put rabbits on the table, and much more. As individuals we can mentor these young rabbit breeders and do much to insure their success and continued involvement in our organization.
Clubs can likewise help the new breeders. During shows, clubs should select good judges that correctly apply the Standard of Perfection and do a nice job in interacting youth members. I have seen shows that seem to give the youth show the judges who the adults complain about. We really should send the very best judges to the youth tables as the youth judges are teaching the exhibitors of the future. We want our youth members to learn the judging process from the best possible teachers. Apparent as it seems it is the adults' responsibility to see that our youth members have ample, properly sanctioned show opportunities to hone their rabbit breeding and exhibiting skills.
Finally, state and national associations need to support their youth divisions by offering them a variety of activities and appropriate awards to encourage continued excellence. Sweepstakes contests can create positive competitive experiences. Educational contests and activities that teach and reinforce the participants' knowledge about the rabbit hobby are an important part of a positive rabbit exhibition experience. Take a look and see what your organization offers their youth in this regard. Revise your programs if deemed appropriate.
Summary... If we see that our youth members are provided quality stock to raise and show, quality mentoring experiences, quality training opportunities, and quality showing opportunities...we are certain to grow one of the best youth programs possible.
Thank you,
Jack