At the Eastern States Exposition last fall, 17-year-old Tahlia Watson stood beside her dairy heifer, guiding the animal through the showmanship class with subtle hand movements. This scene at “The Big E” represented the culmination of months of hard work and dedication for the 4-H member from Bloomfield, Connecticut.
“I was definitely nervous before my showmanship class,” Tahlia recalls. “It can either go really well or really bad and you never really know what’s going to happen in there.” Despite her nerves, Tahlia’s efforts paid off, earning her third place in a competitive class of 11 participants.
“I was very proud of both of us, because it took a lot of time for us to get there,” Tahlia reflects.
Tahlia’s journey with 4-H began at age nine, sparked by childhood visits to Auerfarm through Wintonbury Early Childhood Magnet School and her mother’s involvement with the organization. “I’ve always really liked being outdoors,” she explains. “Science is so important, and 4-H let me explore that interest.”
Over the years, Tahlia has progressed through various leadership roles, from Junior Leader to her current positions as president of the Hartford County 4-H Fair Association and secretary for livestock. These roles have honed her public speaking and leadership skills, transforming her from a shy child into a confident young adult.
“The biggest skill I’ve learned is public speaking,” Tahlia says. “Being able to talk about something that I liked, and being good at it, definitely helped me a lot.”
4-H’s “learn by doing” philosophy has been crucial to Tahlia’s development. Working with her dairy heifer taught her patience and perspective-taking. “I can take a step back and see things from their perspective,” she explains. “I’ve learned that I’m not always going to be right, and there’s more than one solution to every problem.”
The program has also exposed Tahlia to broader horizons. At the National 4-H Dairy Conference in Madison, Wisconsin, she connected with peers from across North America and gained insight into the dairy industry’s global importance.
“It definitely made me more appreciative of the farmers that I get to work with,” Tahlia reflects. “And it’s shown me how important this industry is on a global scale.”
Tahlia’s leadership roles in 4-H have given her unique experiences in decision-making and governance. As president of the Hartford County 4-H Fair Association, she oversees a diverse group of young leaders, ranging from 10 to 17 years old. They use official parliamentary procedure in their meetings, making important decisions about fair logistics, rule changes, and more.
“It’s really nice being able to work with other 4-H’ers in a professional setting,” Tahlia explains. “We use official parliamentary procedure, make important decisions about our fair, and even vote on things like tent rentals and rule changes.”
This hands-on approach to leadership sets 4-H apart from traditional educational experiences. Tahlia and her peers are entrusted with real responsibilities, preparing them for future roles in their communities and careers.
This hands-on approach to leadership sets 4-H apart from traditional educational experiences. Tahlia and her peers are entrusted with real responsibilities, preparing them for future roles in their communities and careers.
Tahlia’s experience at The Big E showcased the culmination of her 4-H journey. “She hated walking at first, had a really big attitude,” Tahlia says of her heifer. “But eventually she turned into this really nice show heifer.” This process of patience and perseverance echoes throughout Tahlia’s 4-H experience.
As Tahlia looks toward her future, the skills and connections she’s built through 4-H are proving invaluable. Her experiences have solidified her plans to study animal science in college, with a particular interest in animal nutrition and genetics.
While Tahlia’s 4-H journey has taken her far from home, it all began at Auerfarm. The 120-acre educational farm in Bloomfield continues to serve as a living classroom for young people like Tahlia, offering hands-on experiences in agriculture, environmental science, and leadership.
Tahlia’s story exemplifies the transformative power of 4-H and Auer Farm’s programs. Through these experiences, young people not only gain practical skills but also develop the confidence, leadership abilities, and community awareness that will serve them well into adulthood.
At Auerfarm, the themes of learning, exploring, and connecting come to life. Young people learn through hands-on experiences, explore diverse areas of agriculture and science, and connect with peers, mentors, and their community.
