Name: Joshua Lockhart
Family: Ross and Brenda Lockhart
4-H Group: Town and Country 4-H, Leaders – Michelle Rieff and Melissa Smith
How are you involved in agriculture and why did you join 4-H?
"I raise Black Angus cattle and poultry. I have five cows and a show heifer. I have 25 Golden Comet hens given to me by the extension office. I also have five of each of these breeds; Silver Lace Wyandottes, Partridge Rocks, Rhode Island Reds, Light Brahmas and Black Sexlinks and one Golden Lace Wyandotte rooster. My parents were both in 4-H and my grandma Thelma was a Vaughn 4-H leader for 20 years. I wanted new and fun experiences that I wouldn’t have learned otherwise."
What do you want to tell other kids about joining 4-H?
"If they are thinking of joining 4-H, they should. It is a fun project that allows them to expand in their knowledge in their everyday lives."
Tell me about growing up on a farm:
"It’s a glorious thing to live here and to see God at work. I like watching animals grow and working with my own hands."
Tell me about your poultry project?
"The county extension office gets day-old Golden Comet chicks provided through the University of Arkansas. Anyone participating in 4-H can fill out a form, get it approved and then get 25 hens. You have to keep them in a brooder, allow them to grow and then in August we sell and show at least three hens at the Curran Feed Store in Gentry. We can sell as many as we want."
How much do you sell your eggs for?
"A dozen costs $1.50. We priced eggs; organic eggs were $2.32, free range brown eggs were $2.50. I decided to sell them for $1.50 because they are small and are just starting to lay."
What's in your future?
"I want to complete college majoring in Animal Science going toward the poultry business. I just want to live out somewhere a little ways from the city so I don’t have to hear cars going by all the time. I want to be around here so I can enjoy the days at the farm."
By Pam Lamb
