Bunnies, chickens, bees: What kids learn by doing 4-H
At a cozy Grange Hall not far from the State Capital in Thurston County, a room buzzes with giggles and conversation as children cradle the animal friends they brought with them on this spring Tuesday evening. The scene captures the heart of 4-H: curiosity, responsibility, and joy.
Every Tuesday, a fresh group of young members arrive, animals in tow, eager to learn animal care and practice answering questions they might face before a judge at the county or state fair. On this particular evening, the spotlight was on rabbits.
Tanner, 14, is in eighth grade and proudly holds Lola, his year-old rabbit. “She’s got a dog-like personality,” he says with a grin. Through 4-H, he’s learned about animal habits, health, and even budgeting. “They don’t cost much to keep. I think I’ll always have a rabbit.”
Claire, 16, is in her sixth year of 4-H and shows me a Himalayan rabbit named Frankfurt — “Frankie” for short. “He’s super curious,” she says. After starting with guinea pigs, Claire fell in love with rabbits and now raises several. “Their gestation is just a month — that really surprised me,” she adds.
Pearl, 11, gently holds her rabbit, Barley Joe. After a back injury sidelined her from sports, she turned to 4-H. “It’s fun,” she says. “The more you practice, the better you get at taking care of the rabbits and answering questions.”
Let’s talk about chickens — on a different Tuesday night, back inside the same Grange building, kids hold their birds in their arms and talk about their chickens.
Everett is a soft-spoken 10-year-old whose heart belongs to chickens. Everett started raising poultry at age six, right as COVID shut down his school and social life. “We had just gotten chickens for our small farm, and he loved them,” his mom recalls. “He carried them around, took care of them — it became a passion.” Looking for a way to help him connect with others, the family turned to 4-H. It was a perfect fit.
Now in his fourth year, Everett proudly shows chickens like Aphrodite, a calm Bantam Cochin who rests quietly in his arms. “Judges ask me what breed she is, and how I care for her,” he explains. He also participates in the pocket pets category, raising three colorful praying mantises. “I’ve always liked animals,” he says with a grin. “They're all so different.”
Joining him in the poultry pen is Hayden, 13, who shows a striking Brown Leghorn rooster named Kumar. “He came from a breeder who turned out to be the Thurston County fair judge,” Hayden says. Kumar reigns over her flock of 23 chickens.
“I’ve always wanted to be a chicken owner,” she says. “They’re my babies.” Kumar is sweet and calm — ideal for shows. Hayden especially enjoys interacting with judges during shows. “They ask great questions, and it helps you learn.” She points out Kumar’s clean comb and perfect feathers. “He’s close to the standard of perfection.” Known to her friends as the “Crazy Chicken Lady,” Hayden says 4-H has built her confidence. “I’ve grown a lot from this.”
The buzz about bees — right behind the Grange, where the hives hum in the late-day sun.
This year, Washington State 4-H officially launched a beekeeping project, supported by local organizations like Valor Bees and Woods Bees. Though some clubs had explored bees before, it’s now a recognized project statewide.
For Jo (Joanne), it opened a whole new world. “I’ve always been curious about honey,” she says. At first, she was nervous — “I didn’t know how close I could get without being stung” — but now she’s confident around the hive. “They’re just protecting their home.”
She can now spot the queen, tell drones from workers, and assess the overall health of the hive. “You look for eggs, larva, brood — and honey coming in, especially this time of year,” she explained. Jo’s curiosity extends beyond the bees. “I want to study both animal science and nutrition,” she said. “I like seeing how everything connects — like what animals eat and how that affects us too.”
Jo also values the local support that makes hands-on learning possible:
“The Grange here lets us meet and keep the hive. That’s huge. Not everywhere has that kind of support.”
Emily Killeen, the 4-H Coordinator for Thurston County, says the new offerings reflect the dedication of local volunteers. “Each county builds around who steps up and what kids want to learn. Beekeeping and fiber arts are new this year, and we’re seeing more exploration beyond traditional livestock.”
But beyond bees, birds, and bunnies, something deeper is taking root.
More than ribbons
“4-H helps kids find their spark,” Killeen says. “They pick a project they care about, and grow from it.” Whether it’s showing a rabbit, baking bread, or preserving food, kids gain purpose, skills, and pride.
And 4-H isn’t just for rural communities. “Urban agriculture is growing,” she adds. “Even if you only have space for a container garden or a few hens, you can be part of this.” Tanner, for instance, built raised beds from salvaged wood to grow cilantro and carrots for his rabbit.
Whether these young people are raising animals for show, fun, or future careers, they’re gaining more than blue ribbons — they’re learning how to care, commit, and connect.
And that’s something truly worth celebrating, especially in a place like the Grange, where these stories — and the kids behind them — come alive each week.
To learn more about 4-H and explore the variety of projects you can get involved in, visit their website.