Sparkle and Nellie have a story to tell. Elizabeth Uhart’s horses descend from animals raised by her grandfather.
“My family had horses before I was born,” she says. Nellie is Sparkle’s mother.
Uhart, an Unionville resident and working farmer, wants to share her knowledge with the Pershing County 4-H youth.
The Nevada 4-H Horse Levels Program supplements the 4-H Horse Project. Participants progress through the Novice, Intermediate, Advanced and Accomplished levels.
“We’ll start as an informational club,” says Uhart. “I want to get those who are interested started on the first level. Pending approval by our extension office and within COVID guidelines, we could have mounted meetings this summer.”
When many people think of 4-H, they picture livestock.
Because of leaders like Uhart, Colby Burke, Anthony Moura, KayCee Paredes, Earl and Paul Malay, there’s plenty of that. On July 1, Uhart’s older children, Leeann, 18, and Dalton McNeff, 17, each won grand champion ribbons for their market lamb and breeding ram.
However, according to the 4-H’s July newsletter, several other clubs are either bouncing back or on the drawing board. It’s safe to say there’s something for almost everyone.
“The benefit of the horse club is that the kids will learn about confirmation, nutrition, colors, breeds and safety,” said Uhart. “There are online modules and hands-on activities.”
In past years, Uhart’s daughters, Leeann and Annie, 10, always signed up for the horse club. However, it suffered from the lack of an adult leader and never got off the ground.
“I tried to do an independent project but could not get information on the levels,” said Uhart. That all changed when Colby Burke stepped forward as coordinator last month.
“Colby dug up a lot of information to use,” said Uhart.
Leeann McNeff will be a busy college freshman this fall. Along with Cassidy Burke and Daralyn Moura, she’s one of 4-H’s Class of 2020 grads. She’ll study agriculture science and business at UNR.
However, her little sister, Annie, is eager to join the horse club for the first time. Her mom is the leader.
The Pershing County 4-H is also resurrecting its shooting sports program. Brady and Dani Liebsack will lead. The club will include muzzleloader and archery.
An arts and crafts club is also making waves with Leonna Bianchi teaching.
Existing clubs include sewing (June Talcott), softball (Tara Carpenter), balloon club (Pat Irwin), baseball (Will Barter), candy making (Marianne Papa) and cooking (Amanda Burrows).
Even more clubs are in the planning stages. They focus on gardening, dogs, painting, self-defense and bicycles.
“Please do not hesitate to contact us if there is a club you would like to start, or your child would like to have,” says Burke. Just tell her Sparkle and Nellie sent you.
For more information, call 4-H Coordinator Colby Burke at 775-842-8498.
