Name: Boone Sumners
4-H Club: Hector 4-H
4-H Leader: Julie Stroud
Parents: Steve and Tammy Sumners, poultry superintendents at the Pope County fair.
What do you enjoy most about 4-H?
Trying out new stuff, traveling and getting leadership opportunities. This year I'm going to be a camp counselor for the younger kids and I'm excited about that.
How are you otherwise involved in agriculture?
Arkansas State Fair Junior Ambassador, exhibitor at Pope County Fair, 4-H Pullet Chain, poultry projects, selling eggs and birds, market hogs and meat goats. I started showing poultry in 2001 and have competed in poultry judging at the Arkansas/Oklahoma state fair.
What have you learned from your involvement in agriculture?
Responsibility, hard work, record keeping, care and upkeep of animals.
Why should young people be involved in agriculture?
To learn responsibility for something other than themselves, and to continue to value agriculture and a rural lifestyle.
What challenges do farmers in the poultry industry face?
Disease prevention and the rising costs of feed and fuel.
What are your future plans?
After high school, a degree in computer science at Arkansas Tech. I will probably always be involved in agriculture. I don't know if it will be my job, or just something that I do. I'd like to have a few acres and some livestock for my family.
By Tommy Mumert
