Introductions: We’re going to start this meeting off with some introductions. One by one we’re going to go around the group & everyone will say their name, age and what they would like to learn, or a goal they would like to accomplish this year. For example, “My name is Alice and I’m 10 years old. My goal for this year is to learn rabbit showmanship and participate at the Redwood Empire Fair.”

Meeting your Leader: My name is Ashley Peters & I have been raising rabbits since 1989. I was a member of the Cloverdale 4-H for 13 years and I belonged to several Sonoma County based rabbit associations & clubs. I have participated in just about every aspect of owning rabbits that you can on local, county, state & national levels. My goal for this 4-H year is to pass on as much of my knowledge about rabbits to you 4-hers so I can watch & help you all become everything you can in this project.

Getting a hold of Ashley: The best way to get a hold of me is to call my cell phone or e-mail me. I have attached one of my business cards with all my information.

Using my web page: The address to my web page is on my business card. On my home page in the left hand column you will see a link to 08-09 Beginning Rabbits. Click on this link to find all of our meeting material & more. If you miss a meeting, or just didn’t catch part of a meeting you can always go back and read about what we covered. The web page will have more detail than our meeting handouts as well as links and pictures.

What do you want out of this Rabbit group? This year is going to be based on what you guys want to learn. I will try my hardest to provide the tools & knowledge for you guys to achieve these goals.

Here’s the basic’s that we’re going to cover for sure:

·        The history of domestic rabbits

·        All the different uses for rabbits

·        “The Basics” to keeping your rabbit alive & healthy

·        Showing & Showmanship

·        Anatomy

·        Disease

·        Vocabulary

·        The different breeds of rabbits and what makes them special

Fun things we’ll be doing:

• Making rabbit ornaments at our Dec. 2^th Meeting. I’ll have enough for everyone to make a couple to take home & we’ll also be making some to donate to an organization for the holidays. If anyone would like to pass on thie activity that’s okay too.
• We’ll be making educational posters to enter in the fairs
• At our End of the Year Fun Day:
• Rabbit Bowl
• Showmanship challenge
• Breed ID contest
• Judging Challenge

What you’ll need for our Meetings:

·        A folder to keep all your paers in

·        Keep some note paper/ note book in your folder for taking notes on

·        Something to write with

·        A smile!!

Bringing Rabbits: You do not under any circumstances need a rabbit to be in this group. I’m asking that you please leave your rabbit’s at home unless we talk about bringing them first. This will help keep our meeting running smoothly.

Meeting Dates & Times:  All our meeting will be at 4:00pm and run about 1 hour. They will all be held at the Shoreline Rider’s building.

Oct. 7^th

Nov. 4^th

Dec 2^nd

Jan 6^th

Feb 3^rd

Mar 3^rd

Apr 7^th

May 5^th

June 2^nd

*End of year fun day, date still open but will be on a Saturday

The number one goal for this year is for you all to have FUN & learn something new!!