The 4-H Rabbit Program has dedicated volunteers that help keep this program going strong. Gayle Perkins is a volunteer that has been part of this program the last 15 years.

"I am an alumni of 4-H. I was involved in 4-H in Freeborn County for a short period of time. This was when I was growing and lived by Glenville. I lived on an acreage growing up and still do. My son, Josh showed rabbits when he was in 4-H at the Mower County Fair," said Perkins.

Perkins is the Mower County Rabbit Project Leader. She still raises rabbits. She has the rabbit breeds of Rex and Mini Rex. She attends monthly meetings from January through May with the 4-H rabbit program. Each month a different aspect of raising rabbits for show is taught at the monthly meetings.

"The best part of the meetings is that the older kids help the younger kids. Kids teaching kids is the best reference. The younger kids respond better to the older kids' experiences," said Perkins.

A curriculum guide through Ohio State University called Skillation is what the 4-Hers use at the monthly meetings. Perkins stays at the fairgrounds the week of the fair. She parks her motor home near the rabbit barn and is up early every morning to help feed the rabbits and do morning chores.

The 4-H competitors come in and sweep the barn and do more chores. The adult supervisors, like Perkins maintain the rabbits to make sure they are not overfed or underfed.

"Someone is always in the barn to answer fairgoers' questions. The rabbit barn closes at night. We have to be on hand all the time to make sure none of the animals are stolen," said Perkins.

Besides feeding and cleaning the animals, the 4-H students maintain the buildings and

keep them in repair. The 4-Hers are judged on how well they keep up the buildings and taking care of their animals at the fair. This is called herdsmanship.

"The kids do very well in taking care of the animals and the buildings. They don't need a lot of guidance. They each give other friendly reminders about what needs to be done," said Perkins.

Besides Perkins, Jan Boley and Lynette Wradislavsky are Project Leaders with the Mower County 4-H Rabbit Project. Perkins likes raising rabbits as they are easy to handle and it is fun to

watch baby bunnies grow.