Young entrepreneur makes his own luck through hard work

Charlie Swint believes in luck, the kind you make yourself. Swint, who won the Butler County 4-H four-leaf clover contest, is getting his membership in the Neelyville 4-H Club paid for a year.

The competitive Corning, Arkansas, 8-year-old has been active in 4-H since he was 5 years old.

When he learned about this contest, his mother, Christine Swint, said, “Charlie was determined to find four-leaf clovers. He asked people to help him.”

One wasn’t enough to satisfy the second grader. Swint searched until he was able to find three four-leaf clovers.

No site was left unturned. Two were found in his great-grandfather Charles Patterson’s yard with the help of Charles’ wife — who Swint calls “MeBetty” — and her granddaughter Kaylee Gilbee. His mom also helped.

Swint wasn’t content with two; he found the third four-leaf clover in his grandmother Wanda Patterson’s yard, with her help.

Winning is not new to Swint, but he knows victory often takes hard work.

He started his 4-H career by raising fish for two years, which along with his art work netted him ribbons and prize money at the Clay County, Arkansas, fair, the Northeast Arkansas District Fair and the Butler County Fair.

While his fish won him recognition, Swint watched others showing their animals. He couldn’t show his fish, but his grandmother Wanda Patterson raises pure-bred chickens.

Swint asked her about the possibility of raising some himself. He saved his fair money, and the money he worked all summer in the garden to earn, to buy chickens and supplies.

Wanda Patterson, better known to Charlie as Mimi, helped him research breeds.

Now, Charlie, raises prize winning fowl.

He won the “PeeWee Showmanship at his last poultry show in March, which he got to compete in before the remainder of the spring shows were cancelled and his fairs were cancelled for his age group,” his mother said. “He will get to compete Nov. 7 in Fayetteville.”

His mother said, “Anytime there is a contest in 4-H, Charlie tries to participate. He was very excited to find out he won.

“He loves 4-H and wants to be able to return to in-person meetings. He loves the outdoors and games. He likes doing things with his hands. Throughout COVID, he has enjoyed doing the projects 4-H provided for him: planting flowers, tomatoes, making a cup greenhouse to grow a bean sprout, etc. He loves working with his chickens and playing sports.”

Swint’s flock of 48 chickens includes multiple breeds: Blue Cochin Bantam, Black Cochin Bantam, Red Cochin Bantam, White Crested Black Polish Bantam, Brown Red Modern Game Bantam, Splash Silkie Bantam, and Welsummer Bantam.

He sells his Cochin and Welsummer Bantam eggs for $1 a dozen to local ladies, his mother said.

Charlie also participates in PAC Dolphins Swim Team, Scorpions 8U baseball team and community activity sports.

He is planning to raise ducks for next year and has their pen and house all ready to go.