Livestock and Animal Science projects continue to be the largest, most viable projects offered in Bourbon County 4-H. Even though it may be one of the oldest, most traditional aspects of 4-H, one cannot discount its importance, due to the fact that livestock and livestock products statistically amount to about half of the farm income in Kentucky. Due to that fact, it remains extremely important that youth understand the role of agriculture in their lives along with the importance of livestock, livestock products and the food they eat.

Chick incubation projects in classrooms and at the county fair taught basic life sciences to elementary students. Several classrooms used this school enrichment project to not only teach life science but to bring Agriculture education into their curriculum

Through livestock projects, youth learn about livestock selection, evaluation, breeds, species, body parts, structure, nutrition, feeds and feeding, animal ethics, marketing, and much more. In addition, youth learn the importance of hard work and responsibility, and also develop important life skills such as critical thinking, decision-making, and communication. Bourbon County youth continue a long tradition of being competitive in the show rings, statewide. This year, Bourbon County 4-H & FFA youth tagged a total of 101 market animals.   These animals join well over 50 breeding animals at shows across Kentucky. Without question, the most exciting event of the 20223Livestock Season  came when three individuals were selected to represent their species in the Championship Drive! This speaks to both the hard work of the individuals as well as the quality of livestock Bourbon County Youth continue to exhibit.

Along with success across the state, the annual Round Robin Showmanship Contest once again provided an outstanding group of young people, demonstrating to a large crowd on Saturday of the 2023 Bourbon County Fair, what they have learned throughout their livestock exhibition careers. Eight champion showmen, two from each species, provided quite a show and educational event for the observers.

The Bourbon County 4-H and FFA Show and Sale continues to be the highlight for our livestock exhibitors each year. The 2023 Bourbon County 4-H and FFA Livestock Show and Sale was a huge success once again. This was the 32nd  year for this event. Thirty youth  offered market animals - steers, goats, sheep and hogs - for sale as completion of their 2023 livestock exhibition season.  For the first time ever, youth in the Country Ham project were allowed to sell a country ham. This event is strongly community supported with over 250 people in attendance. Over 40 volunteers donated more than 20 hours of time to make the 2023  sale a success.

4-H Livestock judging participants have been very busy.  Bourbon County was so proud to have two young people qualify for the 4-H Gold Judging team.  These young people had the opportunity to travel across the united states and to compete at the North American International Livestock Exposition in November.
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The volunteer hours devoted to the livestock programs amount to approximately 325 hours a year, totaling a value of $9, 275.50 ($28.54 @ hour - based on data set forth by the Independent Sector.)