HG Biggs

On a humid July morning in Danville, Indiana, Graci O'Neal stepped into the show ring at the Hendricks County 4-H Fair for the last time. O'Neal has been raising and showing livestock as part of the 4-H program since she was in the third grade, and her final show was a bittersweet moment. Now, having graduating high school, O'Neal prepares to take the next steps for which she says 4-H has helped prepare her.

4-H is a nationwide youth development program that engages children in community projects across a variety of areas including STEM, agriculture, healthy living and civic engagement.

O'Neal said, "It is a big organization for kids truly to find their place of belonging, whether that is in the livestock projects or joining a club or finding an indoor project to do." She also explained that while she participates in the livestock shows, 4-H offers a wide variety of avenues for kids to get involved with. She said, "I think the biggest misconception is you have to live on a farm."

O'Neal was inspired to get involved with 4-H when she saw the relationships her older brother Chase formed with the animals. She said, "I think cattle is my favorite just because they're a bigger species. You want to be friends with this animal because you don't want them to get spooked by you ... each of them is unique in their own way."

Neither of the O'Neal parents grew up with livestock, but now the family has built their own barn and expanded their fields. Two goats are permanent fixtures of the yard, wreaking havoc as the girls try to practice with their show livestock. "Whether that was adding a barn or adding another field or adding animals, whatever that may be, we just built from the ground up," O'Neal said.

O'Neal doesn't participate in 4-H for the glory of showmanship. She is constantly looking to pass on her knowledge to younger participants, including her sister Emma and her cousins Mackenzie O'Neal and Madison Hoyt. The four girls spent hours together preparing for the Hendricks County 4-H Fair. O'Neal said, "I love working with other 4-Hers. I love being able to help them and be a friendly face so they're not scared to ask for help. I just want them to have the best experience they possibly can in 4-H and in livestock too."

On the day of the sheep show as seven year old Madison waited to participate in the mini 4-H competition, Graci sat next to her and offered last minute advice. When Madison stepped into the show ring with her lamb for the first time, Graci was right beside her as her mentor. O'Neal said, "I've been grateful I've been able to do it with her, just being able to see her smile every time."

O'Neal will start her freshman year at Purdue University this fall where she will study animal sciences with a concentration in pre-veterinary medicine. She said, "I would say 4-H has been a keystone in me wanting to pursue that future goal."

Graci plans continue to support the 4-H program as a volunteer to share the benefits she found in 4-H with others. O' Neal said, "I feel like when I'm stepping into a new experience, something outside of 4-H, I feel like it's really helped me be able to just put my foot forward, to be able to drive straight through it."