Featured Story

In celebration of National Farm Animal Day, UC Cooperative Extension San Diego is proud to highlight the vital role that 4-H plays in helping young people grow into responsible leaders—often with animals by their side. 

Thomas Woliung, a dedicated member of the Manzanita 4-H Club, is one of many youths in San Diego County participating in 4-H animal projects each year. His involvement in 4-H runs deep. With a family history that includes his mother, aunts, and cousins, Thomas grew up watching his older siblings care for animals—a sight that sparked his own interest from an early age. By the age of five, he had already taken on the responsibility of raising his first goat, affectionately named Flapjack. 

Today, Thomas is preparing a lamb for the fair, and he values the connection he builds with the animal over time. “It’s important to gather feedback so I can improve and develop my skills,” he shared. Competitive and driven, Thomas commits to the process, from early morning feedings to afternoon training sessions. His daily routine begins around 6 a.m., when he feeds and waters his animals, checks or cleans the pens, and makes sure everything is in order before heading to school. Afterward, he trains with his lamb before repeating the care routine in the evening. 

While working with animals isn’t without its challenges—especially when a lamb isn’t in the mood to cooperate—Thomas has learned to stay calm and take a break when needed. This mindset has taught him patience, consistency, and respect for the animals he works with. These values show up in other areas of his life, too. As president of his 4-H club, Thomas participates in leadership activities and supports other members in their learning. He finds meaning in helping others succeed and values being part of a community that encourages personal growth. 

Some of Thomas’s favorite memories include helping with the birth of lambs and watching young animals take their first steps. He recalled a humorous moment when one of his lambs jumped up and did a backflip. And before every competition, he carries a cross from his father—a small tradition that keeps him grounded and focused. 

Thomas is part of a much larger story. Every year, hundreds of 4-H members across San Diego County raise and care for animals ranging from rabbits to swine and cattle. They participate in local and county-wide fairs, including the San Diego County Fair, Ramona Junior Fair, and Eastern San Diego County Junior Fair, where they demonstrate not only their animal husbandry skills but also their growth as confident communicators, leaders, and community stewards. 

At UC Cooperative Extension San Diego, we recognize the profound impact these youth programs have—not just on the lives of 4-H members, but on the future of agriculture and animal stewardship. On National Farm Animal Day, we celebrate the youth who care deeply for their animals, rise to new challenges, and carry forward a legacy of learning and leadership. 

To learn more about 4-H animal science programs in San Diego, visit https://ucanr.edu/site/4-h-san-diego-county.