According to a study initiated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Purdue University regarding employment opportunities for Animal Science graduates, results show that there were more than 57,900 annual job openings for new graduates between 2015 and 2020, and some 35,400 qualified graduates available each year for these positions resulting in a shortage.  Youth livestock programs teach 4H members the value of hard work, commitment, responsibility, and valuable animal husbandry and care skills that remain with them throughout their lives and can encourage them to pursue careers in the livestock industry.  

A committee of volunteers, 4-H Agents and the Ag & Natural Resource Agent planned the 2024 Shelby County Stockman’s College.    The event is a fun, interactive, educational event involving industry experts and extension professionals.  The committee worked hard to secure sponsors so there was no cost to the participants to attend.

Stockman’s College provided the opportunity for 75 youth to “major” in one of four species options and to take courses relative to their major as well as core content courses applicable across species.  Each participant attended four core content classes, two species major and two species minor classes, two group demonstration classes and two enrichment demos held during breaks.  Following the conclusion of the 8-hour college, youth competed in a modified skillathon competition, demonstrating new knowledge and skills learned during Stockman’s College.  Youth from sixteen different counties attended the event with several on a waiting list to attend.

One of the main goals of the committee was to design Stockman’s College as a hands-on skills-development event.  To this end, courses were designed which allowed youth to learn and then immediately practice a skill.  Some examples included passing AI rods, livestock handling, wool judging, udder dissection, milk testing, ear notching, and pulling lambs or piglets on models.  Twenty-five volunteers, most of whom are industry experts, facilitated the hands-on learning experiences throughout the day.

A skillathon competition was held at the conclusion of the day.  Youth had the opportunity to be tested on their new skills and knowledge gained during the day.  All of the youth indicated that they learned something new and would attend Stockman’s College again.

Following the skillathon competition, awards were given to the top placing youth in each category and in both the junior and senior age divisions.  High overall individuals in each species received award banners and the High overall junior and senior across species were awarded custom belt buckles.