(IMLAY CITY) — A sense of pride and accomplishment filled the barn when 4-H youth leaders and special needs children from four counties in the Thumb teamed up for a special livestock show July 29 at the Eastern Michigan State Fair in Imlay City. The “4-H Challenged Me” program, launched just one month ago, is a peer-to-peer group in which 4-H coaches teach mildly to severely disabled children from Lapeer, Macomb, Tuscola and Sanilac counties how to handle, train and care for sheep, goats and pigs. Sixteen members, ranging in age from 5 to 26, and 19 coaches, ages 9 to 19, had their first showing at the fair. Lapeer County Farm Bureau Vice President and program organizer Tiffany Howell said there was a mixture of excitement, kindness, and pride filling the barn. The stands were filled with supporters of the members as well as of the coaches. The volunteer effort included Michigan Farm Bureau President Carl Bednarski and his wife, Lisa, who served as guest judges for the show.
