“To make the best better” is the motto that 4-H members and leaders live by. “Learn by doing” is the slogan that helps them get it done. That standard has led countless youth to learning opportunities and building relationships since the organization’s birth in 1902 — youth such as Olivia Maslyn, a 17-year-old “4-H poster child” from Ontario County, New York.
FFA isn’t an option for many students who attend smaller schools or participate in alternative learning settings. And, while the two aren’t competing organizations, 4-H’s accessibility for youth ages 5 up to 19 is unmatched.
That accessibility has led Masyln to blossom within the 4-H organization. Growing up on a dairy farm, she was poised for experiences with livestock, but this 4-H member’s enthusiasm for stockmanship and taking hold of (and mastering) whatever opportunities she can get ahold of is unparalleled.
While part of the fun has been getting to experience showing every species her county and state allow, for Maslyn, it’s also about learning what each individual animal and species require to thrive. Her ability to cater to each animal’s needs has led Maslyn to the title of a master showman for each species she’s exhibited — and she’s shown them all — even a pigeon.
Maslyn’s family is well-versed in 4-H and supportive of her endeavors, but they may not have bargained for their child’s enthusiasm for all things 4-H. Maslyn’s journey began in her older sibling’s footsteps as a 5-year-old in the Cloverbud program. It wasn’t long before she began finding ways to include livestock projects on her 4-H resume.
Older sister Elizabeth Maslyn notes her sister’s resourcefulness.
“Our parents told her she couldn’t get a beef cow unless she found trucking, and she somehow did it!,” the elder sister says. “She got her horse Piper for free because she was a bad horse at the stables, and Olivia just told us one day she got a horse, and someone would be trucking it home for her in a few weeks!”
When the ingenuitive youth found herself with an older wether that didn’t have a job, she discovered that her state fair offered a pack goat competition. In short order, Maslyn had taught her goat how to pack and navigate trail obstacles — and she won!
The pack goat show has now navigated its way into its debut at the county fair, thanks to Maslyn, who says, “My county saw this as super fun, and we’re trying to grow our goat club. So, we’re offering the class this year, and we already have 25 people signed up.”
Maslyn’s story is about more than her determination to experience all that 4-H and livestock projects have to offer. Originally a quiet, shy individual, Maslyn reminisces that her mom initially had to force her into public speaking. Now, she’s found her spark in talking about the 4-H topics that are near and dear to her.
Surprisingly, her favorite event has become public presentations, where she’s known for choosing off-the-wall and valuable topics such as her most recent one on “How to properly use emojis,” after Maslyn’s aunt had an unpleasant run-in with improper emoji use.
“I don’t want to bore the crowd; I want them to actually be able to use the information so that they can apply it to their own lives,” says Maslyn.
Maslyn has applied lessons from 4-H to her own life outside of the organization.
“Every single job I’ve ever had I’ve gotten because of my involvement in 4-H: I either knew the person from 4-H, or the person hiring me was impressed by my 4-H background,” she says. “It says a lot about how many people you meet through 4-H and how much what you’re doing matters.”
Those lessons have also led to Maslyn’s involvement in the community. “4-H is not just about picking up litter on the side of the road or planting things for Earth Day,” she says. “We can definitely do those things, but we can also step up in other ways too. Even if someone doesn’t support 4-H, lending a helping hand is part of the 4-H model.”
According to Maslyn’s older sister, many of the young kids in the county look up to her sister, who assists in leading a myriad of 4-H projects, showmanship clinics, and other club activities.
As for where this youth is headed after school, she’s not quite sure yet, but with a passion for animals and a myriad of experiences, her persistence, innovative nature, and 4-H are sure to help get her there.
Heidi Crnkovic, is the Associate Editor for AGDAILY. She is a New Mexico native with deep-seated roots in the Southwest and a passion for all things agriculture.
