Children from across one Michigan county live for the rural traditions of 4-H. In and out of barns, these Michigan youths brought livestock ranging from rabbits to cows to the Genesee County Fair 4H youth livestock competitions in August 2025. The kids generally raise the animals from birth through preparations and readiness for show and competition. The goal is to teach them about the responsibility and hard work required to take care of animals. For many, this is a way to pursue a potential career route, said Lois Walker, a long-time goat farm owner and judge for the youth goat competition. “Kids sometimes may not always succeed at school. Maybe academics are hard for them. Maybe it’s hard to make friends," she said. "This is another avenue that they can really channel in and maybe really be successful at."