Animal Science Projects

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.

Youth interested in rabbit and cavy (guinea pigs) animals can participate in 4-H Companion Animal projects and learn about animal health, nutrition, and more.

Youth interested in cats, reptiles, rats, mice, and other small companion animals can participate in 4-H Companion Animal projects and learn about companion animal health, nutrition, and more.

From learning about production and understanding management to learning to evaluate dairy cattle and goats, 4-H'ers with dairy projects have access to a wide range of learning activities which gives them a broad view of the industry and its contributions.

Youth interested in dogs can participate in 4-H Companion Animal projects and learn about companion animal health, nutrition, and more.

With increased interest in goat meat, fiber, companionship, and dairy products, 4-H'ers will gain a broad knowledge of Pennsylvania's goat industry through events, shows and hands-on projects.

The Pennsylvania 4-H horse program promotes knowledge of horsemanship and responsible, ethical equine use, care, and management. Youth who participate in 4-H horse programs develop skills that include leadership, responsibility, sportsmanship, teamwork, community service, a positive attitude, and a sense of self-worth.

The 4-H program helps youth to gain a better understanding of the basics of animal production, nutrition, how to keep animals healthy, and how to correct health problems and more.

4-H poultry projects include embryology, raising and rearing poultry, and poultry and egg consumer projects. These projects are what motivate youth to learn teamwork, develop interpersonal skills, build enthusiasm and enjoy challenges.

The Pennsylvania 4-H sheep program helps youth to gain a better understanding of the basics of sheep production, nutritional needs of sheep, how to keep sheep healthy and how to correct health problems, and more.

The Pennsylvania 4-H Swine Program is open to all youth - with or without farm backgrounds. Members learn about the swine industry through events, shows and hands-on projects.

Veterinary Science can help youth grow personally and learn skills that will help them become more responsible. The skills learned in veterinary care also carry over into other aspects of 4-H life.