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Animal care standards a part of 4-H exhibiting
By Samantha McDaniel-Ogletree R EPORTER
Treatment of animals is a top priority for those that are raising and showing animals at county fairs throughout the state.
The Youth for the Quality Care of Animals is a course that teaches care of animals and life skills to the students in 4H and is a required course each year.
Emily Sidwell, 4H Extension Program coordinator, said it is a required online or inperson course and certification program that all students in the program receive.
“It covers the ethics and etiquette and how to care for animals properly,” Sidwell said. “The program was recently changed and overlooks all species of animals. All counties in the state of Illinois require exhibitors to complete the course if they are participating in animal projects.”
During the 201920 showing year, the state began requiring the program’s completion prior to any entries for any livestock shows.
From the training, health, food and treatment of the animals, Sidwell said each student who is showcasing an animal must learn how to properly care for it.
This is a reoccurring program, however, Sidwell said there are other programs that students can take in addition to this one that are onetime programs that deal with smaller animal species.
“The state sets this require ment, but I think it is important to understand the role you play in the agricultural industry,” Sidwell said. “If you are going to show animals, you have to understand why it’s important to show care and respect to the animals.”
Though the course is to help teach student exhibitors about the safety and care of the animal, Sidwell said it also helps ensures the safety of food production.
“There are three main areas: animal wellbeing, food safety and life skills,” Sidwell said. “This year we are covering vet care.”
The documentation and proper care of an animal is necessary to ensure the safety of the animal, but also to make sure there are no unknown chemicals or medicines in the animal that could be unsafe to humans during consumption.
“It goes over what to do when an animal gets sick, the importance of reading the label and understanding the medicine they are using,” Sidwell said.
The life skills portion of the program also teaches the telling of the student’s and animal’s story.
“It talks about the ‘elevator pitch’ and sharing the member’s story, advocating for yourself and the animal,” Sidwell said.
Sidwell said it is important for 4Hers and other to learn these skills, even if they go on to nonagriculturerelated jobs.
“We work with them on how they present themselves, which is important when you are sharing your goals,” Sidwell said. “That transitions into other things.”
