A Delaware County 4-Her will spend about $600 to lease an alpaca and show it at the Delaware County Fair and the Ohio State Fair.  That covers the alpaca lease, boarding at Soft Hearts Farm, entry fees, transportation, show supplies, tack, training sessions and project books.  While far less expensive than a horse project, for some families, the project is out of reach.

We don't want to turn kids away, but we need the lease income to support the herd! One solution is to ask for sponsorships. For $550 you can sponsor an alpaca project. Your payment will be set aside to pay for a 4-Her's project. If the funding is not used, you have the option of having the money returned at the end of the year, allowing it to go towards the next year, or gifting it to the farm expenses. The 4-Her will pay $50 if they recieve a sponsorship.

As a farm sponsor, you will receive a Soft Hearts t-shirt. A sign thanking you for your sponsorship will be displayed at Delaware County Fair and the Ohio State Fair. While you will know who you are sponsoring, the sponsored project will not be identified on the signs.  At the end of the Delaware County Fair, you will receive a note from the youth to tell you about their project experience. Sponsorship does not imply any relationship or other contact with the 4-Her. 

Youth interested in receiving a sponsorship will not be required to provide any proof of need. Sponsored youth must agree to their name being shared with their project sponsor and to writing a note to their sponsor at the end of their project. An alpaca project sponsorship covers the cost of the alpaca lease, boarding at Soft Hearts Farm, entry fees to the Ohio State Fair, transportation for the alpaca, show supplies for the alpaca, tack, training sessions, and project books. The project sponsorship does not cover the 4-Her's  club dues, club fees, transportation to shows or club meetings.  

Alpacas are a wonderful introduction to livestock and large animal handling. Our 4-H youth learn husbandry and training with gentle and intelligent animals.  Leasing an alpaca and training at the owner's farm makes this project accessible to urban and suburban youth.