By Andi Anderson
Many 4-H activities focus on animal care, requiring knowledge and skills for proper handling, whether for companionship or food production. In Indiana, 4-H offers a range of programs that cover animal science, life skills, professional development, animal well-being, and food safety. These programs include animal science camps, SPARK clubs, and livestock ambassador initiatives.
A significant portion of youth participating in animal well-being programs reported learning essential skills. For example, 100% of participants learned how to assess animal health, 98% practiced safe animal handling, 97% learned about proper housing and shelter, and 95% gained knowledge in safe animal handling techniques. In terms of life skills, 93% of youth shared their experiences with raising animals, 96% expressed a willingness to help in cases of animal mistreatment, and 91% developed problem-solving skills related to animal care. Many also learned to highlight their animals’ best qualities (81%) and evaluate them (77%).
Regarding career aspirations, 87% of youth expressed interest in careers related to animal care, while 86% showed interest in raising animals, and 78% were drawn to animal science. Food safety programs also helped youth understand what consumers look for when buying animal products (96%) and how their actions impact food safety (89%).
Through these programs, 4-H helps youth develop crucial skills in animal care and safety, contributing to the well-being of both domestic pets and livestock.
Photo Credit: purdue-university
Categories: Indiana, Education