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.  

2020 has been filled with challenges, not the least of which includes planning educationally enriching experiences for 4-H youth and volunteer leaders.  Beginning in the fall of 2019, a committee of nine volunteers joined the 4H agent, 4H program assistant and agriculture agent to begin planning Stockman’s College, a re-vamp of a program offered 15 years earlier in Shelby County.  In spite of Covid-related challenges, the committee was able to carry out a safe, fun, interactive and educational event during a time when opportunities of this sort have been strictly limited.

Stockman’s College provided the opportunity for 51 youth to “major” in one of three 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.  

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 ear notching/tagging and implanting actual hog and beef cattle ears; passing artificial insemination rods through actual beef reproductive tracts; processing (clipping needle teeth, docking tails, giving iron shots and ear notching) fetal pigs; injecting saline solution intramuscularly into chicken breasts; practicing FAMACHA on live sheep to determine parasite loads.  Eighteen volunteers, most of whom are industry experts, facilitated the hands-on learning experiences throughout the day.

Another goal of the committee was to provide youth with as much “swag” as possible.  Committee members worked to secure donations, both financial and in-kind, so that each participant received an event logo t-shirt, logo keychain, gift card, goodie bag full of industry breed and meat association information and promotional items, and a doorprize – all at no cost to the youth.   Participants were also provided with three meals and snack breaks throughout the day.

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.

Comments from parents and volunteers included:  “(my son) had a great time and hasn’t stopped teaching me what he learned today.  Thank you for your work along with all the others!”  “Our daughter had a great time!  Thank you for hosting such a great event and learning experience!”   “This event blew me away!! It was AMAZING!! Thank you so much for everything!!”  “It was seriously the best day!!!”

A post-survey will be sent to participants in six months to determine retention of knowledge and implementation of skills gained.