What happens when you combine hands-on learning, supportive mentorship, and a few clucking chickens? You get Barnyard Challengers, a unique 4‑H program that opens doors for youth of all abilities to experience agriculture in a meaningful way. While students nurture and support the chicks’ growth throughout the year, staff, volunteers, and mentors nurture and support the participants’ growth.

 

A Place Where Everyone Belongs 

 

The Florida 4-H Youth Development and Florida AgrAbility programs, both part of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), worked together to launch Barnyard Challengers in Palm Beach and Brevard counties in 2024. Creating a welcoming and supportive environment for youth with disabilities to engage in agricultural education, this 4-H club centers around poultry projects, giving participants the chance to learn how to care for, handle, and show chickens. Each participant is paired with a trained teen mentor who provides guidance, encouragement, and friendship along the way. Due to the club’s welcoming and supportive atmosphere, all first-year participants returned for the second year of the program. This comfort and connection was fostered by intentionally creating a sense of belonging for all youth while encouraging participation in other 4-H activities and events.   

Learning by Doing 

From day one, Barnyard Challengers focuses on hands-on experiences. Youth dive into topics including: 

• Poultry care and handling 

• Personal health and safety with animals 

• Chicken anatomy and life cycle 

• Presentation and public speaking skills 

Lessons are fun and interactive, blending classroom learning with games and real-life practice. 

This approach helps participants build not only agricultural knowledge, but also essential life skills, including responsibility, communication, personal safety, confidence in their abilities, and much more. 

 

Building Community 

Barnyard Challengers isn’t just about learning, it’s about connections. The program brings together youth, teen mentors, families, and community partners to create a welcoming and supportive environment. Partnering with local high schools, county fairs, and county parks and recreation departments is a key component to building community. 

Teen mentors play a critical role in engaging youth and providing them with individual support. At the same time, teen 4-H members continue expanding and developing their own skills and gaining valuable life experience. 

“This program teaches me to be a better person and teaches me responsibility,” expressed one member. Teens enjoy sharing their knowledge with young students who share similar interests, embrace the leadership roles, and earn community service volunteer hours.  

  

From the Club to the Fair 

One of the most exciting parts of the program is the opportunity for participants to showcase their hard work. Program participants have successfully exhibited and auctioned their poultry at local county fairs. This milestone is about more than ribbons. It’s about pride, confidence, and belonging. 

 

 

 

Making an Impact That Matters 

Activities like Barnyard Challengers fill an important gap in providing positive youth development programs and agricultural engagement to youth with disabilities. Through the club environment, they’re not just learning about poultry. They are improving communication skills,  forging new friendships, gaining independence and responsibility, and building confidence.   

 

At its heart, Barnyard Challengers reflects the true spirit of 4‑H: providing a spark to engage youth and build the skills needed to help them reach their potential.  

As one member put it: “[chickens are] nice animals that teach you how to be more confident when talking about something.” 

 

For more information:  

• Barnyard Challengers, contact Dr. Vanessa Spero at vspero@ufl.edu.   

• Florida AgrAbility, contact fl-agrability@ufl.edu or (352) 294-3068.   

• Brevard County Extension, contact  brevard@ifas.ufl.edu or (321) 633-1702.   

 

Written by Tara Dorn, 4-H Program Assistant, AgrAbility Assistant

Edited by Dr. Vanessa Spero, Regional Specialized 4-H Extension Agent