Growing up in the big city is worlds apart from living the ranch life.
So how do you equip urban youth with the skills needed to transition to a life as thriving livestock owners and land stewards?
Aiden Andrews, 15, and brothers Matthew and Jacob Ryle, 11 and 13 respectively, can show you the way. In fact, these Florida 4-H youth, who were born and raised in big cities of Broward County, will set precedents in Miami-Dade County on March 15.
The three will write history at the Miami-Dade County Fair and Exhibition as the first from Broward County to step foot in the livestock category – Andrews with his hog, Charlie, and the Ryle each showcasing their lambs Bessy and Rolf.
“This is history in the making, as young people reconnect with the land, develop essential skills and become the next generation of leaders in food production and agricultural innovation,” said Kenan Bridges, a Florida 4-H agent at UF/IFAS Extension Broward County.
Bridges delivers programs for youth, volunteers and youth development professionals. Late last year, he received interest from the Ryle and Andrews trio. Together, they started searching for the animals of their choice and filing the necessary entry forms with the Miami-Dade Youth Fair. The process of acquiring the livestock mirrors that of what a sheep and hog farmer would require when choosing their animals, focusing on breed quality, size and health.
“They work with sellers, arrange transport, set up proper housing and nutrition plans to support the animal’s growth and well-being before the show, said Bridges.
The animals reside at Project Stable, a designated area within a large ranch in Davie. This portion of the ranch, donated by the landowners, is where the Florida 4-H club holds its meetings. The area features well-maintained pens and stables that house chickens, goats, sheep and other animals.
“South Florida’s rich agricultural history is at risk as diminishing farmlands and rapid urban development reshape our landscape,” said Bridges. “Now more than ever, educating youth in livestock and animal sciences is essential to preserving our agricultural legacy and securing a sustainable food future,”
The livestock show concludes a six-month educational journey for these Florida 4-H participants. On March 13, Andrews and the Ryle will reach their milestone, showcasing their training, animal care and feeding. They will present their livestock’s story, hand over financial books and show their animals. It’s the closest experience to ranch life and livestock business for the city dwellers.
Andrews is living his dream.
“I want to live the ranch life and own my own ranch one day – I always have because this is my future,” said Andrews, who spent a large amount of time researching farming. “I started watching YouTube videos of farming and, thanks to this experience, I have learned to budget for feed and supplies and take care of Charlie’s health.”
Charlie apparently likes to run under the fence in his play area and can sometimes scratch his lower leg, requiring a veterinary subscribed ointment.
Andrews’ day starts at high school. After the last period, his mother drops him off at Project Stable to care for Charlie, clean the pen, feed him, keep records of his health, order supplies if needed and spend time as he works gently with a training stick to guide his moves for the showmanship portion of the competition. He keeps copious records — just as a rancher would — who is marketing livestock for sale. Dad shows up after a long day at work to help.
It is a family affair.
“It has been one of the most rewarding experiences for him and us,” said his father, Rich Andrews. “The commitment he has shown goes beyond what one can imagine at his age, and he will make it happen. He will own a ranch one day.”
Throughout this process and until that day, the trio continue to gain a deep understanding of their animals, while fostering relationships that yield numerous valuable educational benefits.
“We’re grateful to 4-H for giving our kids this opportunity,” said Laura Ryle, mother to the Ryle brothers. “4-H’s ‘learn by doing’ approach is evident in how they’ve built resilience and commitment. Caring for animals and training multiple times a week has taught them responsibility. Showmanship goes beyond the farm — it’s about presenting yourself and representing your club.”
A key objective of the Florida 4-H livestock program is to teach youth hands-on skills in animal husbandry and the business side of agriculture as they manage budgets, learn to market and keep careful records.
Participants learn about animal nutrition, health and welfare, and learn to handle and train animals safely and effectively. This hands-on experience not only equips them with valuable skills but instills a sense of responsibility and empathy towards animals.
“We learned to sheer our lamb’s wool, and that was an interesting process because we had to lay them on their back to relax them,” said Jacob Ryle, who learned from local experts and a veterinarian. “We also learned to trim their hooves.”
They gain firsthand experience in sustainability and environmental stewardship. These skills prepare them for future careers by building a strong foundation in business and responsibility, said Laura Ryle. It took a lot of research and a lot of searching for them.
“We found previous 4-H students online who shared videos on what they did and learned tips and tricks from them. They have watched other 4-H sheep showmanship videos through YouTube,” she said. “We found out there were Facebook groups dedicated to forage showmanship on sheep. It took a lot of commitment.”
The program has provided early exposure to career pathways in agriculture, environmental, science technology and business. The next step is networking opportunities with professionals, universities and industry leaders, said Bridges.
“With communities experiencing increased urbanization at a record rate, opportunities for youth to engage in hands-on agriculture are rare — but 4-H is changing that,” said Bridges. “By connecting city youth to livestock, animal sciences and agricultural technology, we are bridging a gap. This unique experience empowers them to become future leaders in food security and sustainability, preserving South Florida’s agricultural heritage while embracing innovation in an ever-urbanizing world.”
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By Lourdes Mederos, rodriguezl@ufl.edu
ABOUT UF/IFAS
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents.
ABOUT FLORIDA 4-H
4-H is the youth development program of the land-grant university system and Cooperative Extension System. The program provides hands-on educational programs and experiences for youth ages 5 to 18 with the objective of developing youth as individuals, and as responsible and productive citizens. In Florida, 4-H is administered by University of Florida/IFAS Extension and Florida A&M University.
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