The PA 4-H Program educates youth about the care, management and marketing of beef animals as well as helping youth develop personal development skills including recordkeeping, goal setting, responsibility, and sportsmanship.

Beef up your 4-H project.

Kids in 4-H who work with animals understand them so much better when they learn about what to feed them, how to safely train them and how to enhance the animal’s environment. That's why it's called animal science! The 4-H Animal Science program focus is providing the best education to our members on raising, managing, marketing, and directly selling their livestock as a food source. Caring for an animal is a big deal, members participating in a 4-H beef animal science project will learn to be responsible and keep good records.

Practicing best management while raising an animal gives members the opportunity to engage in science-based, hands-on education. There's nothing like working with a beef project to help young people feel connected and boost confidence.

Learn about:

  • Animal Care and Ownership
  • Honesty and Sportsmanship
  • Animal Health and Biosecurity
  • Quality Assurance and Food Safety
  • Animal Housing and Facilities
  • Animal and Environment Relationships
  • Human Health
  • Ethics and Conduct
  • Career Exploration

Participant outcomes:

  • Entrepreneurship
  • Leadership
  • Communication
  • Problem solving and critical thinking
  • Sportsmanship

Youth interested in beef cattle can explore careers like:

  • Cattle Herdsman
  • Animal Nutritionist
  • Livestock Buyer
  • Grazing Specialist
  • Artificial Insemination Technician
  • Product Marketing and Sales
  • Food Safety Inspector
  • Quality Assurance Manager
  • Extension Educator
  • Veterinary Science

Projects:

  • Market Beef
  • Breeding Beef
  • Dairy Beef (feeder/finish)
  • Livestock Project Record Book (Junior and Senior levels)
    • Youth select and care for a beef animal and keep a record of all activities with their animal.

* Not all projects may be offered in every county, contact your County Educator for more information.

Cloverbud Animal Science Opportunities

Youth between 5 and 7 can participate in our 4-H Cloverbud program! This non-competitive program introduces young children to the world of animal science while focusing on safety.

Explore more programs and events

Reference Materials
Resources for Youth
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