Located in central Indiana, the Hamilton Co. Llama Trekkers
4-H Club is in its 30th year in 2021 and now has over 75 members. Although some
members own their own
llamas, most lease a llama from the Hamilton County Llamas, Inc. and work
together with training that
llama and caring for it for the 4-H llama project.
Our club's main focus is to realize responsibility, self confidence,
presentation,
as well as communication and leadership skills while having fun working with others.
And all this comes about while learning
about
and caring for llamas! We have a fantastic group of youth involved
and our many projects and activities are always fun, exciting, and educational.
Read about youth working with llamas
here.
To participate in the Llama Trekkers 4-H Club, youth must enroll in the
llama project
through the online 4-H website of the Hamilton Co. Extension Office by
January 15th of the current
year.
The llama project takes a little more time commitment than some other
4-H projects
since llama meetings are from once a week. Members are
assigned a llama to
train and work with for the 4-H season. Members will then
participate in the llama show
at the 4-H Fair to complete the llama project. Book work is also
required to complete the
project but most of this is done in the meetings. The complete
llama project requirements can be
found in the 4-H Handbook. (project guidelines in the Handbook can be
found on the 4-H website)
Good attendance is a very important requirement since members are
learning about handling,
communication skills, safety, and training while working with an animal
that is assigned to them.
These skills can not be learned just after the spring sports season is
over. In addition, each member
works within a Pasture Pal group that depends on them. If time to
attend meetings is a concern
to you, perhaps the llama project isn't for you this year.
The llama
project originally started at Shagbark Ridge Llama Farm in
Noblesville and met at that farm through 2014. The owners, Jim and
Marilyn Nenni, downsized and sold the farm but in order to see the 4-H
llama project continue as it had been, the llama herd, along with all
the equipment, was turned over to all the llama members who were
currently involved in the llama project. The Hamilton County
Llamas, Inc., a non-profit organization, was formed for the sole purpose of leasing llamas
to youth in Hamilton County for use in the 4-H project. The
Hamilton County Llamas, Inc.is now run by an elected Board of Directors and
youth may join for a one time $25 fee. There is also be an
additional annual membership fee budgeted to cover the care of the llama herd for
the year. New property was located in Noblesville where the
llamas are now housed. Marilyn Nenni continued as co-leader of
the 4-H project with co-leader, Lisa Sims. Membership fees cover all the vet care, feed,
tack, and grooming supplies. For further information about joining
the 4-H Llama Project and leasing a llama from the Hamilton Co. Llamas,
Inc. contact
Marilyn.
See more about the Hamilton County Llamas, Inc.
here.
Each member
should have a
three-ring binder to bring to meetings. A pouch should be added to
their binder with necessary pens and pencils. Many members like the binders
with the clear plastic front cover
that allows a cover page to be inserted. The club does have a
llama binder decorating contest and
this type of binder allows them to easily create their own decorations.
All llama materials and workbooks will be handed out at the llama
training workshops in March. Llama club
materials are not picked up at the Extension Office. All Llama Club communications are sent by email. Please make sure
we have your correct email address.
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