Crenshaw County has long been considered a rural, agricultural county, one that prides itself on farmers who still make a living off the land.

However, after finding it harder and harder to make a living as a farmer, more and more began to give up that way of life, which in turn meant that fewer young people were turning to agriculture as a way of life.

But the new Crenshaw County 4-H Livestock Club is attempting to change that by bringing in students from all over the county and sparking that interest again in farming and agriculture. One Crenshaw County family has made it “a family affair.”

Perry and Ashley Catrett are volunteer leaders for the 4-H Livestock Club, bringing with them daughters Cassidy, 11, and Cameron, 8. Both girls are students at Brantley School and are members of the 4-H Livestock Club.

Cassidy could be found recently with her entire family at the Luverne Kiwanis Club’s Kindergarten Tour, where she displayed Ribeye, her show steer. Cassidy has shown Ribeye in four different shows: Pike County, AJCA, the Alabama National Fair, and at the Commissioners’ Classic.

Her dad, Perry Catrett, is the manager of the Luverne Co-op, which participates in the Farm-City Kindergarten Tour each year. Being a part of the Kindergarten Tour, along with helping their daughter show Ribeye, has proven to bring special times for the whole family.

“I’m proud of them,” Catrett said of both his daughters. “We get to spend a lot more time together, especially in the afternoons and at night, and at times like today.”

Ashley Catrett said that she has seen many of the club’s members grow in their responsibility and maturity, and this included her own daughters.

“They are taking the initiative to know when shows are and for meeting their deadlines for registration—they really keep us on our toes,” she said. “To me, that’s a huge thing to see them show responsibility like that, but it also shows that there is a real interest there in agriculture.”

And what is Cassidy’s favorite thing about being in the club?

“I get to go outside and work with my daddy,” she said, smiling.

For more information about joining the Crenshaw County 4-H Livestock Club or the Crenshaw County 4-H Club, contact 4-H Regional Extension Agent Lindsay Kimbro at 372-0636 or Mary Norman, 4-H County Extension Agent, at 335-6312.