4-H Animal Husbandry Project

4-H THRIVE

Help Youth: Light Their Spark PHOTO A spark is something youth are passionate about; it really fires them up and gives them joy and energy. Help youth find how this project excites them. Flex Their Brain

Animal husbandry is all about caring for animals. Most definitions specify farm or The brain grows stronger production animals but the term can also be applied to companion animals. Animal when we try new things and husbandry is a multifaceted topic including ethical considerations, food safety, sus- master new skills. Encourage tainability , and mores. The goal of this project is to show participants all of the dif- youth effort and persistence to ferent considerations that go into food production. • Recognize the amount of responsibility and time necessary to care for produc- Reach Their Goals tion animals. • Realize that as a producer of food, you have a big impact on consumer health. Help youth use the GPS system to achieve their goals. Starting Out Learning More Exploring Depth Beginner Intermediate Advanced Goal Selection: Choose one meaningful, realistic and • Learn about major • Design and implement • Design and implement demanding goal. concerns in animal a biosecurity plan for a food safety plan with Pursue Strategies: Create a welfare. the health of your special focus on step-by-step plan to make • Write out a weekly animals. possible sources of daily choices that support schedule of chores • Know how to read a contamination. your goal. and sign off on them drug label, including. • Write a head health Shift Gears: Change strategies every day. withdrawal times, and plan, including if you’re having difficulties • Make a plan in case of why following the vaccines and routine reaching your goal. Seek emergencies or trips label is important. health treatments. out of town, and who • Research • Research humane and Reflect will take care of your environmental low stress handling Ask project members how they animals when you are concerns with your practices, and why can use their passion for this unable to. particular animal, and they are important. project to be more confident, how you can reduce • Learn about the role competent and caring. Discuss their impact. of biotechnology in ways they can use their skills to make a contribution in the The activities above are ideas to inspire further project development. This is not a complete list. Expand Your Experiences! Science, Engineering, and Technology

• Do a presentation on a controversial biotechnology advancement, and its impli- cations for food safety and animal welfare. Resources • Research a topic in animal welfare and find out how it affects food quality. • Food Safety: http:// Citizenship www.foodsafety.gov/

• Visit a local animal shelter to learn about animal welfare in your community. • American Welfare • Visit your local USDA branch and learn about food safety testing. Approved: http:// animalwelfareapproved.or g/ Healthy Living • Teach others about the importance of biosecurity with animals. • Food and Agriculture • Create a presentation about the use of hormones and antibiotics in livestock, and Organization: http:// who these affect food. www.fao.org/wairdocs/ilri/ x5473b/x5473b05.htm Leadership • Oregon State University: • Become a role model for others by taking the position of a Jr. or Teen Leader. http:// • Recruit others to join the Animal Husbandry project. smallfarms.oregonstate.ed u/sfn/f08livestock

Connections & Events Curriculum 4-H Record Book

Presentation Days – Share 4-H Record Books give what you’ve learned with members an opportunity to The UC 4-H Youth others through a husbandry record events and reflect on Development Program does related presentation. their experiences. For each not endorse, warrant, or project, members document otherwise take responsibility Field Days – During these their experiences, learning for the contents of unofficial events, 4-H members may and development. participate in a variety of sites. contests related to their 4-H Record Books also teach project area. members record manage- ment skills and encourage Contact your county 4-H them to set goals and devel- office to determine op a plan to meet those additional opportunities goals.

UC ANR 4-H Youth Development Program (2016) • http://4h.ucanr.edu Author: E. Shifflett