Pygmy Connection Club links Geauga County youngsters with 4-H benefits

Young Sawyer Scharver sometimes plays catch with a partner a bit different from the norm.

The 7-year-old’s sporty buddy is a pygmy goat named Ramble who lives in shed-style quarters near the Scharvers’ home in Auburn Township.

Having fun with animals as well as learning how to care for them is all part of the 4-H experience for Sawyer who attends Timmons Elementary School. He also belongs to the Pygmy Connection Club led by advisor Traci Snode.

As Cloverbuds, the 4-H program for youth ages 5 through 8, Sawyer and his 5-year-old sister Finleynot only interact with the animals but also explore areas of personal development. Pygmy goats are a breed of miniature domestic goats.

“The primary goal of the Cloverbud program is to promote children’s healthy development — mentally, physically, socially, and emotionally. The Cloverbud program provides an excellent opportunity for every child to reach his or her highest potential because early life experiences, even subtle ones, affect future development,” according to the Ohio State University Extension which facilitates the statewide 4-H program.

OSU Extension also maintains that children possessing life skills such as self-understanding, decision-making and social interaction, which are among goals of the Cloverbud program, are less likely to have problems with drug abuse, school failure, delinquency and depression later in life.

Honing some of those skills takes place while showing animals at county fairs. This is the third year that Sawyer will show pygmy goats at the Great Geauga County Fair, and the first year for Finley.

These exhibitions teach the children how to line up and maneuver their goats along with facing the judges with confidence and a smile. Later, these skills will come in handy when they reach full 4-H status and take part in regular competitions.

The Scharver children also have participated in raising funds to donate to multiple organizations — including Rescue Village, Shop-with- Cops, Akron Children’s Hospital and Family-a- Fair — and taking part in community service such as picking up trash on Earth Day.

Francine, Sawyer and Finley’s mother, said the youngsters enjoy community service and raising their goats, but certain responsibilities are tied in as well.

“They have to have things ready for the (4-H) meetings,” she said. “It’s a lot of prep for 4-H. It’s not only having fun at the farm.”

Andrew and Olivia Tucholski are Pygmy Connection members who definitely enjoyed themselves on a recent chilly day in March at the family’s barn in Middlefield Township. The pair were romping about with resident goats Milo, Abby, Maggy and Libby.

Andrew, age 12 and a seventh-grade student at Cardinal Middle School, offered advice gleaned from several years of working with the frisky critters.

“If you don’t walk them regularly they’re a pain,” he said. “They’ll do whatever they want.”

In the past he has also worked with chickens and turkeys for additional 4-H experience. Last year three chickens sold for $800 at the Great Geauga County Fair.

Olivia, 10, said she may enter some poultry in this year’s fair but noted that they’re very high maintenance in terms of cleaning and feeding.

Vanessa Tucholski is proud of her children and very pleased with their involvement in 4-H. Like many other 4-H parents she says that positive experiences abound.

“One of the biggest things is the relationships they’ve made. They know kids from Kirtland, Kenston, Berkshire and homeschool,” she said, and added that the friendships formed are strengthened through social activities such as camping and bowling.

Vanessa noted that important skills such as leadership, networking and more will eventually help her children as they grow into adulthood.

OSU Extension of Geauga County has 752 youths enrolled in the 4-H program, with 121 adult volunteers organizing and leading 42 county-based 4-H clubs, according to the OSU Extension.

For more information on Geauga County 4-H, call the Geauga County Extension office at 440-834-4656.

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