4-H kids ready for swine weigh-in

Spring is in full swing for young pig farmers in Kootenai and Shoshone counties.

Local 4-H members are gearing up for the spring weigh-in this Saturday at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds in Coeur d'Alene.

"4-H members enrolled in the swine project that plan to exhibit at the North Idaho State Fair must meet project requirements to qualify," said Teresa Balderrama, Kootenai and Shoshone 4-H program coordinator. "Bringing the pigs to the spring weigh-in is the first step in this process."

Each pig will be photographed and weighed and its owner identified. Balderrama is expecting more than 300 pigs to be recorded Saturday.

Bringing the pigs for weigh-in is just the beginning.

Throughout the summer, 4-H members are required to take records of expenses, log activities, attend 4-H meetings and give a presentation to their peers about their pig project.

The 4-H kids will spend many hours with the pigs preparing for the fall shows, such as the hours spent training the pigs to walk with them for the show ring at the fair. Many of the kids began their project back in September, contacting breeders and making arrangements to purchase the animals. In the process, the kids are learning how to budget and plan for the project.

The 4-H members also get involved with their communities as volunteers and youth leaders, and learn new things by completing projects.

They go on trips, have parties, host international students, participate in local government, experiment with science, create art, go to camp, learn to canoe and learn to take care of animals.

Information: www.uidaho.edu/extension/county/kootenai/4-h.