4-H students show off animals at San Mateo County Fair  

“I’m finally here,” Machado said. “It’s super exciting, I’ve been trying and haven’t really made it too far but it’s the first step in maybe raising bigger or more animals. Maybe next year I can do a pig and by senior year a steer.”

Growing up with extended family who work in livestock in the valley who were also in programs such as 4-H, Machado said the after-school extracurricular has turned into a full-blown desire for a career in ranch handling. The Half Moon Bay high school student is also a part of the Future Farmers of America program. 

A major part of the organization’s efforts is to educate both the students and larger community about the food chain and circle of life. The animals will be up for auction on Saturday. 

Lisa Arvin, Competitive Exhibits and Livestock supervisor for the fair, said the 4-H auction provides buyers with high-quality options and also educates the public about the origin of our food. 

“These kids are producing a pure product for a buyer,” Arvin said. “Their animals are clean, pure, they’re not given hormones, which is so much of our products today.”

For 15-year-old Fynn Miller-Bowen, developing a close relationship with the animals isn’t necessarily a bad thing, though. 

“I kind of get attached, but it’s in a different way. It’s not like a dog,” Miller-Bowen said. “I care about them and I want them to be healthy and happy, but it’s really different from a pet.”

Miller-Bowen said the distinction is important, while shaving his lamb Wrangler in preparation for the afternoon’s showmanship and market presentations. 

Arvin, who grew up raising animals through 4-H for the fair, believes the program is “extremely valuable” because it not only teaches the participating kids, but prepares them to educate others. This knowledge the kids have is evident in how they treat their animals and how they speak to their distinctive qualities. 

“I do this because I’m very passionate about this program for these kids,” Arvin said. “They’re so smart and exceptional, they’re outstanding leaders in the community.”

Especially in San Mateo County, she said many might have misconceptions about the program and struggle with the fact that the animals are “bred for a purpose.”

“They do a great job, these kids,” Arvin said. “These animals have a fantastic life, they wouldn’t have had this great of a life on a farm.” 

Though she acknowledged the commitment raising animals requires — students are responsible for morning and evening feeds and daily exercise — she hopes more students consider participating in their local 4-H organization. 

“You can get educated in school, but you’re going to get your grounding in a program like this because you’re learning and you’re doing,” Arvin said. “I don’t think a lot of kids realize what they can get out of this.”