1. Building Competencies for Success in Youth Livestock Producers
Mark Heitstuman, WSU Asotin County Extension; and Janet Schmidt, WSU Whitman County Extension.
ABSTRACT METHODOLOGY
With an estimated 60% of the 4-H members in Southeastern Washington and Northern Idaho enrolled in 4-H market livestock
programs, there is a demand for experiential education targeting youth producers with sheep and goat ruminant projects. Consumers The 2009 Sheep and Goat Field Day was held at the Asotin County Fair
of 4-H projects are also concerned about food safety and quality assurance; animal welfare; and the personal safety of both youth
and the animals they raise. However, there are only 4 Extension faculty in a 14-county area of Southeastern Washington and
Grounds in Asotin, WA. Due to their increasing popularity as a market
Northern Idaho with 4-H livestock responsibilities. Over 105 youth, leaders and producers attended the 2009 Sheep/Goat Field Day
held in Asotin. Presenters included WSU and UI Extension faculty; WSDA veterinarians; successful producers; feed representatives;
project, meat goats were included for the first time in this field day. The
and WSU students. They used “hands-on” learning to provide the latest research-based information on such topics as: Project
selection, healthcare and nutrition, biosecurity, quality assurance, and showmanship. A post program survey indicated 100% of the
field day used a “hands-on” experiential approach to provide research-
participants increased their level of knowledge for 5 indicators: Selection of project animals to meet industry standards; feeding and based information to youth, parents and leaders. Field Day instructors
nutrition; health care; fitting and showing; and quality assurance and biosecurity Over 83% of the participants indicated that they
biosecurity.
were able to immediately apply what they learned at the field day to their livestock projects. As a result of the field day, local included WSU and UI Extension faculty; a WSDA veterinarian; IMPACTS
Extension Offices have been able to strengthen their partnerships with local veterinarians, feed stores, industry leaders and livestock
producers. An additional impact has been an increase in financial support from the livestock industry for the continuation of this and successful sheep and goat producers; feed representatives; and WSU
similar programs. Over 105 youth and adults received the latest research-based
students.
information at the 2009 Sheep and Goat Field Day. Based on a pre
and post program survey, 100% of the participants increased their
Topics covered during the 5-hour field day included:
level of knowledge on each of the following 5 indicators:
BACKGROUND • Project selection • Quality Assurance
• Selection of project animals to meet industry standards
• Nutrition • Fitting and Showing
An estimated 60% of the 4-H youth in • Feeding and nutrition
• Healthcare and the National Scrapie Eradication Program
Southeastern Washington and Northern Idaho • Health care of youth livestock projects
are enrolled in 4-H market livestock projects.
4H projects • Principles of fitting and showing
The demand for “hands-on” education targeting • Quality assurance and biosecurity
youth livestock producers has increased in
recent years, particularly for small ruminant Over 83% of the participants indicated that they would be able to
projects like sheep and goats. The general immediately apply what they learned at the field day to their livestock
public is also concerned about food safety and projects.
quality assurance issues; animal welfare; and
the personal safety of both youth and the Seventy-nine percent rated the educational value of the field day as
animals that they raise. However, there are “Highly Valuable”, with the remaining 21% rating the field day as
only 4 Extension faculty in a 14 county area of
14-county “Moderately Valuable”.
Moderately Valuable .
SE Washington and Northern Idaho with 4-H
youth livestock responsibilities. An important impact of the Youth Livestock Field Days has been an
increase in financial support from the livestock industry for the
Since 2004, Youth Livestock Field Days have continuation of these programs. Grants were received in 2009 from
been coordinated by the WSU Asotin and the Washington State Sheep Producers and the Idaho Wool Growers
Whitman County Extension Offices, in Association to help off-set program expenses.
collaboration with the UI Nez Perce County
Extension Office. The primary target audiences As a result of the field days, local Extension Offices have been able to
for the Youth Livestock Field Days are youth Participation included youth and
Participation included youth and strengthen their partnerships with youth and adult livestock
producers, leaders and parents living in this14- producers, local veterinarians, feed supply stores and processors.
county area. adults from 11 counties.
Washington
State Dept. of
State Dept of
Agriculture Raising 4‐H
Veterinarian Dr. Youth gained livestock projects
Ben Smith hands‐on help to develop
discussing the experience life skills in youth;
National fitting including Self
Scrapie animals with Esteem and
Eradication adult Decision Making
Program. guidance. skills.