Success StoryTrimble County 4-H Livestock Club



Trimble County 4-H Livestock Club

Author: Ralph Hance

Planning Unit: Trimble County CES

Major Program: Agriculture & Natural Resources

Plan of Work: Unrelated to a specified County Plan of Work

Outcome: Initial Outcome

Trimble County is a very rural county along the Ohio River about half way in-between Louisville and Cincinnati OH. with 95% of the residents residing in Trimble County considered rural and only 5% making up urban residents. The Trimble County 4-H program, being in a more rural county, has had programs focused mainly on Agriculture topics. However there has been less and less kids each year growing up on or around farms, Trimble County 4-H is attempting to shift some of that focus from Agriculture towards more Science, Education, and urban topics. However with Trimble County being 95% rural, we do not want to completely stray from our focus on Agriculture.
            The Trimble County 4-H Livestock Club teaches children how to raise and show animals, such as cattle, sheep, goats, and swine. This year, our club had 19 participants involved, with eight participants being in the Clover Bud (five to eight years old) program. The Trimble County Livestock Club has one Certified Livestock Volunteers leading this club.
            Each 4-H Livestock Club member and Clover Bud member is required to attend a minimum of six hours of education in order to be eligible to show at the Trimble County Fair under the 4-H class. Within those six hours of education, each member learns valuable information on topics surrounding their animal project. Topics such as breed identification, skeletal and external parts, feed additives, nutrients, rations and feeding management, and disease recognition. Topics that are also covered are; grooming, judging, and showmanship.
            Each summer culminating the 4-H members’ project, they are given the chance to show their project animal in the County Fair. 4-H members, who qualify, by having attended a minimum of six hours of education, and attending at least six County 4-H Livestock Club meetings, are eligible to auction off their animal at the end of the Trimble County Fair. Each member keeps possession of their animal, and the money donated by each auction buyer, goes directly to the 4-H member they bid on. The 4-H member can use the money they receive by auctioning off their animal however they would like. Some members use it to purchase their next animal project for the following year.  

          The 2024 County Fair Livestock Auction we had 20 youth participants, 50 buyers, and the club raised an all time record of $48,725.  Which is $11,830 more than the previous year, and $21,45 more than 2022..  






Stories by Ralph Hance


Trimble County 4-H Livestock Club

about 5 months ago by Ralph Hance

Trimble County is a very rural county along the Ohio River about half way in-between Louisville and ... Read More


4-H Camp

about 6 months ago by Ralph Hance

4-H Camp has been an integral part of Cooperative Extension Service program for over 100 years. Club... Read More


Stories by Trimble County CES


Ag Funding Workshop

about 5 months ago by Regina Utz

Ag Funding WorkshopOn June 11th, 2024, Trimble County Extension Office hosted the Agriculture Fundin... Read More


Step into Nature

about 5 months ago by Jane Proctor

As of August 30, 2023, Kentucky has the sixth-highest obesity rate in the U.S., with 48.78% of its p... Read More


Stories by Agriculture & Natural Resources


2024 Livestock Club Reality Store

2024 Livestock Club Reality Store

about 5 months ago by Lydia Gosney

Success Story: 2024 Livestock Club Reality StoreThe Problem Many youth involved in 4-H Livestock sho... Read More


4-H/FFA Youth Ag Day

4-H/FFA Youth Ag Day

about 5 months ago by Kimberly Lane

Youth Ag Day has become an annual event in Morgan County. 4-H Teen Club members and FFA members joi... Read More