The primary objective of 4-H Agriculture projects includes the following:
- How to create the proper facility to care for the 4-H Project animals.
- Identify requirements to appropriately address the needs of the 4-H Project animals.
- Give an overview of the proper nutritional rations for the specific requirements whether breeding, market or non-market purpose.
- Provide a general summary of necessary costs associated with the 4-H Project.
- Understand the characteristics and benefits of the many breeds or varieties of the 4-H Project.
- Learn basic points to showing, presenting, or demonstrating the 4-H project.
- Begin to understand fundamental life skills such as building self-confidence, learn to make decisions, develop inquiring minds, relate to others, and develop concerns for your community.
Agriculture Education
Ag in the Classroom is a school enrichment program that is available in several counties in Arizona. For more information, contact you county extension office.
- Arizona Farm Bureau's Ag in The Classroom website
- Maricopa Agriculture Center's programming for kids, Ag-ventures
- Ag in the Classroom's national website report on Arizona for 2021.
The 4-H Veterinary Science project helps you explore and learn more about animal health in your home, club, community, country, and world. Grow your knowledge about how animal health affects public health!
- Veterinary Science Project website from Iowa State Extension
- 4-H Veterinary project fact sheet from University of California Extension
- National 4-H Veterinary Science curriculum
Companion Pets
- The cat project Purrfect pals will show you how to enjoy and experience your cat through the activities in these progressive levels. Depending on your age level and experience, you should sign up for one of the three levels of this project.
- University of Idaho Extension has extensive resources for youth and volunteers, including complete lessons and objectives for a cat care project.
- 4-H Cat project snapshot from Michigan State University Extension
Dog - Agility
- AZ State Dog Show rules
- Iowa State has guidelines and rules for Dog agility projects
- National 4-H council has many Dog guidebooks, including a three part curriculum on Dog training
Dog - Animal Care
If you decide to own a dog it is a big responsibility and this program will show you through many activities how to select, feed, train, house and care for your dog properly. The main activities you will learn about are breed types, appreciating dogs' places and roles in society, practicing grooming, correcting undesirable dog behaviors, teaching dog performance events, creating a housebreaking plan, recognizing the value of guide dogs, assessing your dog's vital signs and exploring dog-related careers and activities. You must complete a minimum of seven activities and three learning experiences per level to complete this project.
- University of Florida guidebook for Dog care projects
- Kansas State Extension Dog care and training guidelines
- Kansas State Extension list of resources for dog care
Dog - Guide Dog
- University of California factsheet on guide dog projects
- Paws for the Cause is a University of Arizona cooperative extension program connected to Guide Dogs for the Blind projects
- Dog Helper's guide from National 4-H Council
Dog-Obedience
- 4-H Dog Obedience Proficiency program from University of California Extension
- Dog Obedience training manual from Oklahoma State Extension
- Dog Obedience manual from University of Minnesota Extension
The pocket pets project includes hamsters, gerbils, and other pocket-sized animals.
- University of Idaho Extension's pocket pet curriculum page
- University of Nebraska Extension's pocket pet project manual
- Reptile project fact sheet from University of California Merced Extension
- Reptile and Amphibian project idea starter from Ohio State University Extension
- Reptile and Amphibian project book forms from University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension
- 4-H Aquatic Science manual focused on raising fish from Purdue Extension
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension tropical fish project manual
- University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension's fish health fact sheet for pet fish projects
Entomology
Entomology Objective: Youth will learn how to identify, classify, collect and preserve various insects. They will also develop a healthy realistic attitude toward insects. Such as discovering that not all insects are bad. Discovering why insects are important to the world and being able to identify beneficial and harmful insects. Youth will also learn about careers in the entomology field and opportunities to display their projects at county fairs or other related events.
4-H Entomology Club Leader's Guide [PDF] from Michigan State Cooperative Extension
The University of Idaho’s Cooperative Extension’s 4-H beekeeping program curriculum has been adapted from Purdue Extension’s Beehive program and has three levels:
- Level 1, Understanding the Honey Bee, gives youth the information they need to enter the art of beekeeping safely.
- Level 2, Working with Honey Bees, will get youth started managing their own hive.
- Level 3, Advanced Beekeeping Techniques, will take the experienced youth to the next level of specialization.
The project requirements listed for Idaho’s beekeeping program can be applied to 4-H projects in Arizona. Contact your local extension office or your project leader for more details.
A good project record book for beekeeping can be found at The Ohio State University’s Extension site.
A fun introduction activity to bees as important pollinators can be found at 4-H @Home
Updated: April 2022
The 4-H entomology series explores the world of insects — from learning about their behaviors, to what they eat and their habitats. You will learn about biodiversity invasive species, integrated pest management practices, and then progress to experiments, and also learn about career opportunities in the field. There are even opportunities to participate in forensic entomology — using insects to help solve a crime! If you decide to exhibit at your county or other fairs, you should collect, properly mount, label and display them by order.
- Insect Discovery is a program from University of Arizona Cooperative Extension that has a wealth of proven lessons and activities, as well as classroom visits for elementary schools.
- The 4-H national entomology curriculum consists of three levels and includes a facilitator's guide. Several activities from each level are available free of charge.
- 4-H @Home: Pollinators has several activities about diverse types of pollinators and their importance in ecosystems.
- 4-H @Home: Butterfly Adventures is a video series that engages youth to learn about caterpillars and their metamorphosis into butterflies.
- 4-H Entomology Manual from Mississippi State Extension
- University of Arizona Cooperative Extension's 4-H Insect Discovery lessons and activities page
- University of Arizona Cooperative Extension's Insect Discovery program
- Michigan State University's Monarch butterfly website with lots of resources
- Article on building a butterfly garden from University of Kentucky Extension
Horses
Horse Projects Objective: Youth will develop leadership, initiative, self-reliance, sportsmanship, and other desirable character traits, as well as an appreciation of horse well-being and proper horsemanship with or without a physical horse. Youth will experience the pride and the responsibilities of owning/leasing a horse. Youth will also learn good horsemanship and an understanding of proper management for nutrition, raising, daily care, and training horses. The horse project will provide an opportunity for youth to observe and learn through participation and observation, to accept constructive criticisms and learn new ways of training and caring for animals and provide an opportunity for educational experiences through county, area, and state functions.
- University of Arizona Cooperative Extension's Horse website
- AZ 4-H Horse Show Rulebook
- University of Arizona Extension fact sheet- Tips for Desert Riding
- University of Arizona Extension presentation-The Heads-Up on Helmets
- Horse project guide from Oregon State University Extension
- Helpful fact sheet for Horse project leaders from University of Wisconsin Extension
- Grooming a Horse video
- Tying a Quick Release Knot
- National 4-H Horse Curriculum
English riding consists of specific disciplines and events like jumping, dressage, and equitation.
- University of Arizona Cooperative Extension's Horse website
- AZ 4-H Horse Show Rulebook
- English Horse rulebook from Utah State Extension
- English horsemanship pattern guidebook from Montana State Extension
Gymkana horse events are events with riding-related games or competing in mounted tests of balance, speed and dexterity.
The ranch horse project area teaches the practical skills and practices necessary to manage cattle on a working ranch and can benefit any rider looking to improve their equine skills.
- University of Arizona Cooperative Extension's horse website
- Ranch Horse manual from Oregon State University Extension
- Ranch Horse project guidebook from 4-H Alberta
- Working Ranch Horse Training Guide from Utah State Cooperative Extension
Horticulture
Horticulture Project Objectives: Youth learn how to plan an in-ground or container garden; how to prepare the soil; and when, where, and what to plant. Introduces basic plant science, garden friends and foes, tool safety, using the vegetable harvest, and horticulture-related careers. Other activities may include germinating seeds and experimenting with plants. Youth learn to make the most of their garden space using different planting methods, then how to harvest, store, preserve, and/or sell their bounty of vegetables and herbs. They study plant genetics, plant diversity, plants in space, in addition to learning about horticulture-related careers.
- Floriculture project guidelines from Michigan State University Extension
- Purdue Extension's Floriculture website with guidelines and other resources
- North Carolina State Extensions Floriculture page with many resources for projects
- Flower arranging project sheet from University of California Extension
- Oregon State University's Basic Floral Design guidebook
- Judging Guide for floral arrangements from University of Wisconsin Extension
Gardening from our heritage explores gardening with an emphasis on historical and cultural traditions of gardening, including the history of native and heirloom crop varieties.
- Pima County Master Gardeners program has a wealth of information on heritage crops
- Heritage Gardening page with guidebooks and resources from Michigan State University Extension
- University of Arizona Cooperative Extension's Home Gardening page with information on herb gardening
- University of Arizona Cooperative Extension's Master Gardener program is a great resource and available in all counties in Arizona.
- Project Fact sheet from North Dakota state University Extension that includes how to incorporate herb gardening into a horticulture project.
- Michigan State University Extension's Herb Gardening curriculum
- 4-H at home activity: Grow your on Herb Garden
- University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension's indoor plants project guide
- University of Georgia Extension's Growing Indoor Plants with Success guide
- Cornell Cooperative Extensions website on indoor plants with multiple resources
- University of Arizona Cooperative Extension's Home Gardening page with information on herb gardening
- University of Arizona Cooperative Extension's Master Gardener program is a great resource and available in all counties in Arizona.
- University of California Extensions fact sheet on vegetable gardening
- Vegetable Gardening project website from Purdue Extension
- Beginning Gardening activity sheet from University of Kentucky Extension
Large Animal
- Alpaca project sheet from University of California Extension
- Alpaca and llama project website from University of Idaho Extension- includes activities and project leader guide
- Alpaca and Llama project website from Purdue Extension
Beef - Breeding
- The University of Arizona Beef Extension Program website
- University of Arizona Extension's large stock fact sheet with information on beef projects
- University of Arizona Extension's Showmanship of Project Animals guide
- University of Arizona Extension's guide for Being Prepared for Show Livestock Injuries and Illnesses
- University of Arizona Extension's guide to Understanding EPDs
- 4-H of British Columbia guidebook for beef projects including beef breeding
- Washington State University Extension's Yakima county website for beef projects with many resources
- Kansas State University's Beef project website with many resources for projects
Beef - Market
- The University of Arizona Beef Extension Program website
- University of Arizona Extension's large stock fact sheet with information on beef projects
- University of Arizona Extension's Showmanship of Project Animals guide
- University of Arizona Extension's guide for Being Prepared for Show Livestock Injuries and Illnesses
- Pennsylvania State Extension's 4-H Market Steer part 1:getting started website guide
- Michigan State University's guidebook for market beef projects
- University of Idaho's Beef project website with resources for all beef projects
- Sustainable Southwest Beef lesson plans from USDA Southwest Climate Hub and Asombro education
Beef - Market Calves
- The University of Arizona Beef Extension Program
- University of Arizona Extension's Showmanship of Project Animals guide
- University of Arizona Extension's guide for Being Prepared for Show Livestock Injuries and Illnesses
- Kansas State Extension's bucket calf guidebook
- University of Delaware feeder calf guidelines
- Sustainable Southwest Beef lesson plans from USDA Southwest Climate Hub and Asombro education
Beef - Production Steer
- The University of Arizona Beef Extension Program website
- University of Arizona Extension's large stock fact sheet with information on beef projects
- University of Arizona Extension's Showmanship of Project Animals guide
- University of Arizona Extension's guide for Being Prepared for Show Livestock Injuries and Illnesses
- University of Arizona Extension's guide to Feeding Management of Show Steers
- Sustainable Southwest Beef lesson plans from USDA Southwest Climate Hub and Asombro education
- University of New Hampshire steer project guide
- University of Georgia market steer FAQ
Throughout the different levels of this project you will learn the dairy cattle breeds, explore the milk production system, demonstrate showmanship techniques, describe signs of health and illness in dairy animals, give reason on hay quality, compare pig and cow's digestive system, identify parts of the DHI record, perform a CMT and interpret the results and demonstrate how to deliver a calf.
- The Dairy Industry in Arizona and Beyond video
- University of Arizona Extension's large stock fact sheet with information on dairy cattle projects
- North Dakota State University Extension's website on dairy cattle projects
- University of Florida Extension's project handout on dairy cattle projects
- University of Vermont Extension's dairy cattle project guide book
Goat - Boer Meat Breeding
Boer goats are an increasingly popular choice for market goat projects, projects specifically geared towards breeding goats for meat. This project has many of the same resources as the market goat project.
- University of Minnesota Extension's Meat goat program website
- University of Florida Extension's meat goat project overview sheet
- Mid-Atlantic market goat project guide (Maryland, Delaware and Virginia Cooperative Extensions)
Goat - Dairy
Youth from the novice to expert will expand their dairy goat knowledge and skills of goat management, selection, health, reproduction, showing, judging projects and careers. You will also practice life skills of recording keeping, decision making, leadership, communication, planning and organizing and more. You must complete a minimum of seven activities and three learning experiences at each level to complete this project.
- Oregon State University Extension's Dairy Goat project guide
- University of Arizona Extension's large stock fact sheet with information on goat projects
- University of California Extension's Dairy Goat project overview
- Michigan State University Extension's project snapshot for a Cloverbuds dairy goat project
Goat - Draft
Draft goat are goat that are bred and trained to pull a wagon or cart. Many general goat project resources apply to the draft goat project as well.
- 4-H Goat Activity page from Tennessee Extension
- Utah State University's general goat curriculum that covers all goat projects
Goat - Market Animal
The meat goat project will help you learn how to raise a market or breeding animal. Throughout the different levels of this project you will learn to identify healthy and sick animals, keep proper records, define the difference between milk-type and meat-type goats, learn how to score body condition, and many other skills.
- University of Arizona Extension's large stock fact sheet with information on goat projects
- University of Minnesota Extension's Meat goat program website
- University of Florida Extension's meat goat project overview sheet
- Mid-Atlantic market goat project guide (Maryland, Delaware and Virginia Cooperative Extensions)
- National 4-H Meat Goat Curriculum
Goat - Pack
Pack goat are goats that are trained to carry gear and other supplies. This unique project involves caring for and managing a pack goat with gear over various distances.
- Pack goat guide book from Oregon State University Extension
- University of Wisconsin Extension pack goat handbook
- Michigan State University Extension's Ottowa county pack goat project guide
- Llama project snapshot from Michigan State University Extension
- University of Minnesota Extension's llama and alpaca project website
- Alpaca and llama project website from University of Idaho Extension- includes activities and project leader guide
- Alpaca and Llama project website from Purdue Extension
Sheep - Breeding
A sheep breeding project is a multi year project in which youth will raise a female lamb to breeding age and through the birthing process.
- University of Arizona Extension's large stock fact sheet with information on sheep projects
- University of Kentucky Extension's webpage on sheep projects, including breeding sheep projects.
- 4-H Alberta's Sheep Project Guide Level 1
Sheep - Market Lamb
- Youth Market Lamb Guide from North Dakota State University Extension
- University of Texas A&M Extension's show lamb guide
- Louisiana State University Extension's lamb project quick reference guide
Swine - Breeding
- University of Arizona Extension's large stock fact sheet with information on swine projects
- University of Arizona Extension's AZ 4-H at Home video on swine project basics
- 4-H Breeding Swine Project Reference and Guide from New Hampshire State University Extension
- University of California Extension project overview for swine projects
Swine - Market
- University of Arizona Extension's large stock fact sheet with information on swine projects
- University of Arizona Extension's AZ 4-H at Home video on swine project basics
- University of Idaho's swine project webpage with many resources for market swine projects
- Utah State University's Raising and Showing Market Swine guidebook
Small Animal
Small Animal Objective: Youth will participate in small animal projects such as Cavy, Rabbit, Poultry, Dairy Goats. From these projects youth will engage in activities that expand their knowledge on animal care, husbandry, nutrition, financial literacy, showmanship, meat marketing quality assurance, and careers in agriculture. Youth can participate in county fairs, tribal fairs, and other small animal showing opportunities.
Cavies, commonly known as guinea pigs, are delightful animals. Although timid, they generously give affection for a small amount of care. Through this project, you will reap many rewards including the companionship of the animal. The cavy is popular as a pet because of its docile, gentle manner and attractive, roly-poly appearance.
- University of Arizona Cooperative Extension's Small Stock Essentials Volume 1 fact sheet with information on poultry projects
- University of Arizona Extension's Pima County small animal project webpage with guides and rule books for Cavy projects
- 4-H Cavy Project Leader's guide from Oregon State University Extension
- Cavy showmanship guide from University of New Hampshire Extension
- University of Michigan Extension's Cavy Fitting and Showmanship guide
- Cavy Curriculum Resource Handbook - National 4-H
In the Embryology project, youth will use an incubator to successfully incubating avian (usually chicken) embryos inside fertilized eggs until they hatch, learning basic biology and life science in the process.
- University of Florida Extension's Getting Started with a 4-H Embryology project guide
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension's embryology and egg cam webpage with lots of resources for embryology projects.
- Cornell Extension's embryology website with links to many other resources
- University of Arizona Extension's Pima County webpage on small stock projects with rule book and guide for pigeon projects
- Oregon State University's pigeon and dove guidebook
- Ohio State University's pigeon 4-H project idea starter
- University of Washington Extension's pigeon guidebook
Through the activities in the poultry project, you will begin by learning about egg parts, breeds, costs to raise poultry, how to prepare for chicks, how to care for and handle your birds, how to select pullets and showing poultry.
- University of Arizona Cooperative Extension's Small Stock Essentials Volume 1 fact sheet with information on poultry projects
- University of Florida Extension's resource sheet on poultry projects
- Poultry showmanship guide from Utah State University Extension
- Poultry project guide from Oregon State University Extension
- How to Make a Nipple Drinker for a Chick Brooder video
- Flock Defender Youth Program (avian disease education)
- 4-H pygmy goat project leader's guide from University of California Extension
- Pygmy goat project guidebook from Oregon State University Extension
- University of Idaho Extension's pygmy goat website with guides, project record sheets and other resources.
4-H Rabbit projects teaches youth about raising rabbits, body parts, breeds, costs of raising rabbits, how to care for rabbits and much more.
- University of Arizona Cooperative Extension's Small Stock Essentials Volume 1 fact sheet with information on rabbit projects
- University of Arizona Extension's Pima County small animal project webpage with guides and rule books for rabbit projects
- AZDA Update on Rabbit disease
- University of Texas A&M Extension's rabbit project website with guidebooks and other resources
- Michigan State University's Rabbit Tracks guide for rabbit projects
- University of Wyoming Extension's rabbit project website with guides and other resources
- National 4-H Rabbit Curriculum
Small Animal- Exotic
Exotic small animals include reptiles and other animals not covered in other small animal project areas. Projects are closely related to many companion pet projects
- University of Wisconsin Extension's animal science webpage with information on exotic species projects
- University of Oregon Extension's Jackson county website on small animals including exotics
Small Animal - Meat Production
The small animal meat production project covers poultry or rabbit projects that are raised for meat. See the poultry and rabbit project pages for more information.
- University of California Extension's project sheet for market poultry
- University of Wisconsin Extension's poultry meat production guide
- Colorado State Extension's Weld County breeding and market rabbit webpage
- University of Arizona Cooperative Extension's Ag at Home webinar on turkeys
- University of Wisconsin Extension's turkey project guide
- Ohio State University Extension's Union county turkey handbook
- University of Wisconsin Extension's guide on waterfowl projects
- Colorado State University's duck or goose project record book template
- Ohio State University Extension guide to raising ducks