4-H

Livestock are a Positive Youth Development tool unique to the 4-H program. Raising animals helps youth members develop important life skills and familiarizes them with many aspects of food production and agriculture. These experiences can be a foundational part of youth growing up to be thriving and contributing members of their community. At the same time, livestock can create a significant economic burden for families - animals, trailers, fitting equipment, and other necessities add up to a significant investment.  This publication will address many of these issues and help families with navigating the process.

In many 4-H programs, significant focus is often placed on the livestock projects being raised by youth. 4-H staff, volunteers, fair boards, and parents are often bogged down by rules and disagreements on which animals are eligible for sale, minimum weights, maximum weights, length of ownership, etc. However, these discussions distract from the priority of the 4-H Positive Youth Development program - to provide youth with a high-quality educational and developmental experience. Our purpose in this document is to clarify the role that livestock projects have in 4-H and outline the unique youth experience gained through livestock.