LAC LA BICHE - Local 4-H member Jackson Cull will be displaying projects he’s been working on throughout the year at the annual Achievement Day, which is set to take place on Friday, June 7 at the Lakeland Agricom at 3 p.m.
Jackson, age 10, who also serves as reporter of the Lac La Biche 4-H Club, is involved with outdoor, beef and automotive projects, some of which are group initiatives involving other members.
With 4-H Achievement Day just over a month away, Jackson has been busy since last year preparing for this special day.
Jackson has also been actively involved with the Lac La Biche 4-H Club’s six-member outdoor group, taking part in various wilderness survival activities that included ice fishing, constructing lean-tos, and building campfires. These activities will be on display for all to see on June 7.
“Usually, we make a project board to show what we’ve done during the year,” he told Lakeland This Week.
Getting out into the great outdoors, Jackson says, has been an enjoyable experience that has enabled him to spend time with his dad, Jonathan , who helps run the outdoor club and facilitate the activities. While participating in outdoor activities, youngsters not only have fun, but pick up new skills along the way.
“It’s lots of fun to go out and learn how to do new things,” Jackson said, adding that’s he’s participated in Achievement Day events for the past three years.
Jackson has also been working with a Black Angus steer named Inedabunn that he will be entering into the beef competition. In that event, competitors showcase animals they have raised and cared for. The animals are judged, and best-in-show champions are announced. This year, Jackson is one of 11 4-H members in the steer competition.
While Jackson was raising his young steer, he was also steering his attention towards his 4H automotive project – restoring a late-model Pontiac Trans-Am.
Club activities have kept him busy, says his mom, and chairperson of the Lac La Biche 4-H Club Amanda Cull.
The excitement she sees in Jackson is the same in families across the region with 4H connections, she said – especially leading to Achievement Day. Describing it as the club’s year-end, where the kids get show their accomplishments, she says the special day gives members something to look forward to and work towards each year.
“It’s like their bragging day… they get to say look at what we’ve accomplished, look what we’ve learned,” Cull said, adding that a considerable amount of work and effort is put into organizing the annual event. “It’s a big deal for the 4-H kids.”
