Each month, we highlight an Ohio 4-H alum who has an amazing story to share—from their personal experience in 4-H to how they have given back to the program. This month, we feature Angie Barney, a proud alumna of Lucas County 4-H who works as a financial planner and part of 3NLivestock.
“4-H was always a family affair for me, especially when it came to my 4-H clubs, the Monclova Plowboys and Happy Homemakers,” said Barney. “My mom was the advisor of the Happy Homemakers which was my 4-H Club as a kid before it later merged into the Monclova Plowboys. My husband was also a Monclova Plowboys club member and, after we got married, we restarted the Monclova Plowboys club for my brothers and then our three sons joined as members. 4-H has really built my core family values.”
Over the years she completed a variety of sewing and cooking projects, but her passion lay in showing livestock. “I started showing sheep when I was 10 after a family friend helped me buy my first flock. I’m proud to say that more than 45 years later, this flock still exists as my nieces and nephews continue to maintain it,” said Barney.
At age 13, Barney began showing steers and in her last year of 4-H she even tried her hand at showing swine, which ended with her winning Grand Champion at the Lucas County Fair. “Steers were always my favorite project and many of my favorite memories from my time in 4-H are connected to showing steers,” she said.
Barney’s love for livestock did not end when she aged out of the 4-H program. In addition to working as a financial 
planner, she and her husband, along with their three boys, are the proud owners of 3NLivestock, a show pig operation that has since expanded to include a farm to freezer program and small market.
In addition to offering show pigs for sale, Barney and her husband have taken on the challenge of “adopting” young 4-H members who do not have the space for a show pig but want to compete at the fair.
“We’ve had at least one 4-H member keep their fair pig at our farm every year since 1990. My husband loves teaching the kids how to take care of their animals,” said Barney. “Without 4-H, we never would have ended up with this farm. Now, we are able to help current 4-H members on their journey by providing them with opportunities they might not have had otherwise.”
The Ohio State Fair has been another major passion of Barney’s, and she is proud to say that she has not missed many state fairs since she was a 4-H member. For 25 years, she volunteered her time by serving as co-director of the swine barn, announcing shows, and helping 4-H members as they prepare to show their animals. She retired from the Ohio State Fair Swine Barn in 2022.
“The most important thing I learned as a 4-H’er is that it’s okay to make mistakes—tearing out a seam and starting over is always an option!” said Barney. “4-H taught me that all good things come with practice. I can’t begin to say how many nights I spent practicing in the barn when I was a 4-H member, but it paid off in the end.”
“4-H also helped me understand the importance of expressing gratitude for those who support you along the way. This is something that my parents instilled in me, and I did the same thing for my sons when they were in 4-H. A thank you truly goes such a long way.”