Sharing a passion for farming, the members of the Mt. Airy Dairy Club enjoy raising cattle and learning life skills through activities centered around the dairy business
By:Concetta Benuzzi Volpe
WEST AMWELL The Mt. Airy Dairy Club is more than just a group of kids who like cows.
It is a small productive community of hard-working youths committed to successfully meeting the challenges of adolescence by doing what they enjoy.
It just so happens they share a passion for farming, enjoy raising cattle and are mastering their essential life skills through activities centered on the dairy business.
Steeped in tradition, the club’s history dates back almost 80 years as current leaders continue to pilot local youth toward an energized present and a promising future.
The key concept of the club is to foster a work ethic by providing choices, opportunities, relationships and support to the next generation of youth ultimately assisting them in realizing their full potential.
The club is an enrichment program and part of a positive youth development organization dedicated to helping youth overcome obstacles placed in their way by today’s culture.
The club is a place kids can go to do what they enjoy work with their cows.
Through participation, young members are exposed to positive values, morals and social norms and learn to become competent, caring, confident, connected and contributing members of society.
The Mt. Airy Dairy Club is an extension of the Hunterdon County 4-H Club and it supports youth who are interested in cows and the dairy business.
The 4-H Club offers area youth an assortment of educational programs and projects promoting a variety of animal sciences but the Dairy Club is restricted to handling and showing dairy cows.
Like 4-H, the dairy club is a nonprofit youth development program designed for children and led by adult volunteers.
The club was established in 1923, and several members are third-generation participants.
The Mt. Airy Dairy Club consists of 19 members ranging in age from 9-16 along with two team leaders, Betty Jane Hunt of West Amwell Township and Diane Cooper of Delaware Township.
Recently, Ms. Cooper’s daughter, Theresa Schwab, initiated a prep club for members between the ages of 7 and 9. There are five members in the prep group compromised of younger siblings from the official club.
Ms. Cooper has been a team leader for 12 years, and Ms. Schwab, a member for seven years, became a team leader in 1999.
Ms. Hunt, a lifelong member, met and married her husband, Larry, while in the club and together they raised four children who became very active third-generation members.
Mr. Hunt, who was also a lifelong member and long-term team leader, died in an accident in 2000.
The entire club was enormously supportive during Ms. Hunt’s bereavement; the children even spoke at Mr. Hunt’s memorial service.
"The club is more life a close-knit family," Ms. Hunt said, "We enjoy being together."
The feeling of camaraderie prompted her to assume her husband’s position as a team leader, and she recently brought a calf to show with grandson, John Paul, 3½.
"Officially he’s too young to be a member," she said, "But, hopefully, in a few years, John Paul will be the first fourth-generation member of the Mt. Airy Dairy Club."
Team leaders and supporters alike advocate the club’s tradition of gentle guidance, postulating the learn-by-doing approach generates enough self-esteem to produce well-rounded individuals.
Apparently the youth agree. Membership is strictly voluntary and requires a great deal of dedication.
The program is not solely intended for rural communities but for children living anywhere.
"Some kids want to work with cows but don’t have access to them," Ms. Hunt said, "So if you don’t live on a farm, and you want to participate, you can lease a cow from a local farmer for $1 per year."
The owners of Fulper Farms on Rocktown-Lambertville Road have been instrumental in the facilitating the program and are leasing cows to four children who would not normally have access to them.
Cindy and Rob Fulper, raising four children ranging in age from 8 to 15, have been actively involved with the Dairy Club and 4-H for the past six years.
Life is hectic for the sizable family, all with various interests, but the Fulpers always make time for kids who love cows.
According to Ms. Fulper, raising animals from birth through adulthood is a huge and demanding responsibility for any child to accept. The process takes a great deal of courage and commitment.
"In my opinion, it helps kids step up to the plate and be all they can be," she said. "It does wonders for their self-esteem. We make the leasing process simple. Kids come to the farm, select an animal and begin to care for it as if it were their own. The work involved is labor-intensive and time-consuming, but they don’t seem to mind. They work well as a team and enjoy each other’s company."
Although there are no set rules as to the frequency of their visits, members come often, stay as long as possible and regularly assist with farm chores. Supportive club parents help out by providing transportation.
"The kids learn cooperation, patience, understanding and compassion for each other as well as for animals," Ms. Fulper said, "It’s quite amazing to watch them develop and mature. Most kids start off with a newborn calf. They’re both often frightened. Over time, they develop a bond, each maturing while gaining a handle on life. The reward is awesome and a joy to behold."
Megan Smith, 13, has been leasing her cow, Angela, from the Fulpers the past three years.
Megan, who raised Angela from birth, claims her favorite activity is showing Angela at the fair. An eighth-grade student at South Hunterdon Regional High School, Megan also is a member of South’s Future Farmers of America Club and has been a member of the Dairy Club for three years.
"I hope to be a veterinarian some day," Ms. Smith said, "I like learning all I can about cows and about agriculture. "Being a member of the club helps us develop respect for people and animals, and at the club it’s OK to care for creatures."
Kyle Young, 12, a sixth-grade student at Holland Township School, lives on a 100-acre farm and has been a member of the Dairy Club for two-years. He is club president.
Kyle owns two cows, Georgia and Breezy, and is responsible for caring for them on a daily basis. Kyle, who has been raised on a farm, plans to be a farmer.
"I love being a member of the dairy club," he said, "It really teaches you how to become a better farmer, and you learn a lot about people and sharing responsibility. Whenever I get stuck on something, the older kids help me, and they don’t get mad."
The club meets every third Friday of the month at Old Rocks Church, 260 Mt. Airy-Harbourton Road, and will be celebrating its 80th anniversary in November.
West Amwell residents, Alva and Ina Cronce Sr., and Alva Cronce Jr. organized the club in 1923. The first meeting was held at the Williamson farm Nov. 30, 1923, currently the site of Hills at Hunterdon, a community of single-family houses recently built on Mt. Airy Road.

