Objectives:Youth in Animal Sciences projects will:

• Learn and practice life skills with an emphasis on decision making, acquiring knowledge, and taking personal responsibility through participation in 4-H animal science opportunities such as project animal care, judging, and bowl events.
• Develop competencies in animal science, including an understanding of animal science and animal management as well as an awareness of agricultural issues in society (e.g. a concern for animal well being and increasing public agricultural literacy).
• Learn about the parts of an animal, breeds, costs to raise animal, and how to care for animals!

 

Opportunities for non-animal owners exist. There are statewide leasing programs established for Horse & Pony as well as Dairy Cattle 4-H projects. Many 4-H activities do not require the ownership of animals for participation. The "Horseless Horse" is one such project.

For individuals owning animals, there are projects involving the raising of market animals, breeding animals, and often, companion animals. In many cases, the project animal need not be purebred and/or registered.

There is a series of guides available for each animal project area, which outline possible activities to be completed in each level (beginner, intermediate, and advanced learners). Each individual can customize his/her learning experiences based upon their interests by selecting which activities to complete. Each guide includes an achievement program to provide challenging activities, a way to expand project experiences beyond the animal and a means to recognize youth for what they have accomplished. Each animal project area also has a project activity guide with additional information.

4-H Projects in Animal Science:

Beef Cattle	Poultry
Cat	Rabbit
Dairy Cattle	Sheep
Dog Care and Training	Small Pets
Goat (dairy and/or meat)	Swine
Horse and Pony	Veterinary Science