Extension
It Starts With Us
Educating Youth in Farm Knowledge and Skills
Livestock and Equine Issues
Stahler, Harned
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Equine
Small Ruminants (includes sheep, goats) and Exotic animals
Beef
Wendell Berry (1990), Kentucky novelist, poet, environmentalist, and farmer, stated that “…eating is an agricultural act” (p.1). Unfortunately, for many, there is a disconnect between the food we eat and where that food comes from. Today’s society lacks understanding regarding agricultural production and processing (Spielmaker and Leising, 2013). The Kentucky 4-H Youth Development Program strives to increase agricultural literacy among youth in Kentucky. The Agricultural Education in Secondary Schools Committee established by the National Research Council (1988) described an agriculturally literate person as one who’s “…understanding of the food and fiber system would include its history and its current economic, social, and environmental significance to all” (p. 8). The National Agriculture Literacy Logic Model defines an agriculturally literate person as one “…who understands and can communicate the source and value of agriculture as it affects our quality of life” (Spielmaker et al., 2014, p. 2). One of the key initiatives in Kentucky 4-H is to increase a young person’s awareness of the impact agriculture has on his/her daily life.
- Youth will be agriculturally literate.
- Youth will make informed decisions regarding agricultural products and services.
- Youth will be advocates for agriculture and sustainable fiber and food production.
- Youth will explain the role of agriculture in daily life.
- Youth will utilize and practice life-skills in 4-H agricultural projects and clubs, and life situations.
- Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the areas of animal and food science, and plant and soil science.
- Youth will gain an understanding of sustainable agricultural systems.
- Youth will develop valuable life-skills, including decision-making, critical thinking, communications, record-keeping, wise use of resources, and leadership.
- Outcome to be Evaluated
- Youth plan and implement an agriculture project (e.g., livestock project, horse project, etc.).
- Indicator of Success for Outcome
- Youth complete an agricultural project.
- Method of Evaluation
- 4-H Common Measures Experience Survey
- Program Indicators
- Number of youth who demonstrated a skill that was learned or improved by participating in 4-H agriculture programming (PRACTICE)
- Number of youth who gained an understanding of the role of agriculture in the production of food, fiber, and wood products (KOSA)
- Number of youth who indicated “yes or usually” to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #6 “Is 4-H A place where you get to figure out things for yourself?” (SEEC)
- Number of youth who indicated “yes or usually” to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #13 “Is 4-H a place where you have a chance to be a leader?” (SEEC)
- 4-H Livestock Program
- Curriculum: Acres of Adventures 1 and 2; Kentucky Farm 2 School; Project Food, Land, and People; Livestock Volunteer Certification Resource Kit; Beef Resource Handbook; Beef Project and Record Book; Beef, Sheep, Swine Selection Evaluation; Dairy Cow Project and Record Book; Dairy Heifer Project and Record Book; Dairy Resource Handbook; 4-H Dairy Cattle 1, 2, 3, and Helper’s Guide; Dairy Judging Resources; Goat Project and Record Book; Goat Resource Book; Sheep Resource Handbook; Market Lamb Project and Record Book; Sheep Breeding Project and Record Book; Swine Resource Handbook; Market Hog Project and Record Book; Swine Breeding Project and Record Book
- Training: Livestock Volunteer Certification Training; Agent In-services
- 4-H Horse Program
- Curriculum: 4-H Project Horse Record Book; Horse Achievement Levels 1, 2, 3, and 4; Horse Safety Guidelines; Horse Smarts: Equine Reference and Youth Activity Guide; Horse Volunteer Certification Resource Kit
- Training: Horse Volunteer Certification Training; Agent In-services
- 4-H Poultry Program
- Curriculum: Egg Preparation Demonstration; Kentucky 4-H Chicken and Turkey Barbeque Project; Kentucky 4-H Poultry: Barbeque Contests; National Avian Bowl Manual; ChickQuest: A Classroom Journey through the Life Cycle; ChickQuest Logbook; Hatching with my “Peeps” Embryology Countdown Calendar; Poultry Project and Record Book
- Training: Agent In-services
- 4-H Country Ham Program
- Curriculum: How to Make a Country Ham Publication; How to Cure a Country Ham Video
- Training: Agent In-services
- 4-H Horticulture Program
- Curriculum: Junior Master Gardener Curricula; 4-H Gardening Levels A, B, C, D, and Helper’s Guide
- Training: Agent In-services
- 4-H Rabbit Program
- Curriculum: 4-H Rabbit 1, 2, 3, and Helper’s Guide; Rabbit Learning Lab Kit
- Training: Agent In-services
- 4-H Dog Program
- Curriculum: 4-H Dog 1, 2, 3, and Helper’s Guide; Dog Project and Record Book; Dog Resource Handbook; Dog Learning Lab Kit
- Training: Dog Volunteer Certification Training; Agent In-services
References:
Berry, Wendell. (1990). The Pleasures of Eating: In what are people for?. Center for Ecoliteracy. North Point Press.
National Research Council. (1988). Understanding Agriculture: New Directions for Education. National Research Council. https://doi.org/10.17226/766
Spielmaker, D. M., and Leising, J. G. (2013). National agricultural literacy outcomes. Utah State University, School of Applied Sciences and Technology. http://agclassroom.org/teacher/matrix
Spielmaker, D. M., Pastor, M., and Stewardson, D. M. (2014). A logic model for agricultural literacy programming. Proceedings of the 41st annual meeting of the American Association for Agricultural Education, Snowbird, UT. https://www.agclassroom.org/get/doc/logicmodel_handout.pdf
USDA Economic Research Service (USDA ERS). (2020). Kentucky Data Fact Sheet. USDA ERS. https://data.ers.usda.gov/reports.aspx?StateFIPS=21&StateName=Kentucky&ID=17854#P61c7c85317364f0a88d64410cc9ccda2_3_527iT18R0x0
USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). (2019). 2017 Census of Agriculture – Kentucky State and County Data. USDA NASS. https://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/AgCensus/2017/Full_Report/Volume_1,_Chapter_1_State_Level/Kentucky/kyv1.pdf
Audience: Club members
Project or Activity: County Fair
Content or Curriculum: University of Kentucky Extension Resources and/or curriculum; monthly meetings/educational clinics/livestock and horse and dog shows throughout the year
Inputs: •Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, program assistants, specialists, and volunteers, Boyd County Fair Board and volunteers
Date: Annually in late summer
Audience: Club members
Project or Activity: Chick Hatching
Content or Curriculum: University of Kentucky Extension Resources and/or curriculum
Inputs: •Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, program assistants, specialists, and volunteers, local schools and teachers
Date: Spring 2024
Author: Rebecca Stahler
Major Program: Agriculture & Natural Resources
The 4-H Youth Development program has a rich history of building future leaders and strong citizens through the projects and programs it offers. This is evident through the numerous documented studies of the life skills youth develop as a result of their participation in a 4-H program (Anderson, Bruce, & Mouton, 2010; Fox, Schroeder, & Lodl, 2003; Seevers & Dormody, 1995). Life skills such as communication, decision-making, and problem solving are gained when 4-H members participate
Author: Rebecca Stahler
Major Program: Leadership
Keeping families interested and engaged in 4-H can sometimes be difficult. Families may have children of varying ages and interests. Creating a Boyd County Cloverbud Livestock club was suggested by a certified livestock club leader because she had granddaughters too young for the traditional livestock club and the mother wanted her children to experience 4-H just as she had.The Cloverbud Livestock club follows all Cloverbud age appropriate guidelines. There are 10 club members earnin
Author: Rebecca Stahler
Major Program: Agriculture & Natural Resources
As 4-H evolves to include a wide breadth of youths' modern interests, innovative educational opportunities and evaluation practices become necessary. Horsemanship and safety-based horse camp was created in response to a collaboration between the Boyd County 4-H certified horse club leaders and the Boyd County adult horse club leaders. The camp was planned by leaders from both clubs and advertised on social media outlets. The schedule included classes for beginners as well as sen
