From the 2018 census, "Farming, Fishing & Forestry" jobs accounted for only 98 people out of a population of 45,388 for Nelson County. According to other data sites, approximately 254,000 or Nelson County's 271,360 acres is farmland. The Nelson County Community Assessment also lists "More youth life skills training" as a top 10 area of focus. This program was started as a response to these statistics and created to get youth involved within our local agriculture industry.

In collaboration between the Nelson County ANR/Horticulture Agent, Robbie Smith, and the 4-H Agent, Nicole Howard, this new program was created to give senior Nelson County 4-H members an opportunity to gain hands on experience with the cattle industry. Through this new monthly program, 4 members received their Beef Quality Care and Assurance Certification. Through obtaining this certification, members gained knowledge about cattle handling, vaccinating, genetics, and other topics. 

The members showed improvement in their confidence to answer questions relating to these topics. Members received their own vaccination coolers which ensure safer and more effective vaccinating procedure by keeping live vaccines at the proper, intended temperatures. Members have learned directly from local Nelson County Master Cattlemen as well as other local cattle producers. At the end of this program, members took a field trips to the farm and visited UK for a chute side exhibit. Members have expressed an interest in being involved in the agriculture industry in the future as well as taking some of the discussed practices back to their family farms.

Participants described their appreciation for the programs and made suggestions for future programs. They are interested in learning more about meat processing, farm safety, animal health, and basic nutrition and mineral. They were also interested in traveling beef cattle operations or research farms.