Livestock Projects for Urban Youth

A goal of Colorado Extension is to increase urban participation in 4-H. One means of achieving this goal is to offer nonownership livestock projects for urban 4-H members so they can benefit from the positive experiences associated with caring for and showing livestock. Urban youth can also benefit from livestock projects by expanding their knowledge about rural ways of life, and food and fiber production.

In April 1990, a survey was developed and mailed to Colorado Extension agents and 4-H leaders to determine their perceptions of the need for a nonownership livestock project. Using respondents comments and ideas, a nonownership animal science project dealing with beef cattle, sheep, swine, goats, and dairy cattle was developed. The project contains two units and the unit manuals are the basic record book. Members who enroll in the project receive ownership project manuals about the five species as their primary sources of information. Each unit contains required activities and open-ended activities that allow the project to be self-determined. For self-determined activities such as leasing an animal, individual agreements can be made between the member, parents, club leader, Extension agent, and livestock owners.

Unit One is directed toward 9-12 year olds. The 13-page manual helps members become familiar with various breeds of livestock, anatomy, uses of livestock, and types of feeds. A demonstration is required. Visiting a farm, ranch, or auction, joining a judging team, and watching promotional material such as videos and slides are offered as activities. Each member also writes a story about his or her learning experience.

Unit Two guides youth to further explore animal agriculture. Using a 20-page manual, members learn to identify sexes, breed differences, carcass parts, and feeds. The Pearson's chi-square method is presented to help members start balancing rations. Members learn to budget, complete a story about the project year, and are required to give a demonstration. Unit Two is designed for up to five years of project activity. A large number of options for activities are presented and members are required to complete at least five options each year they're enrolled in the project. A short list of various industry contacts are included to help them gather information. With the amount of free material available from livestock associations, universities, and libraries, members can gain a great deal of knowledge about livestock.

The nonownership project and materials are a project alternative for urban 4-H members who can't own livestock. In addition, the activities make the project suitable for younger livestock project members since they provide an overview of the entire livestock industry. Young members can use the project to gain basic knowledge before advancing to ownership and a "hands- on" experience. The project can also be used for a school curriculum enrichment. The materials are written to meet individual needs, but are flexible enough to allow for group activities such as field trips and classroom study.

By offering a user-friendly nonownership 4-H livestock project, we hope to interest more urban youth in animal science and strengthen the existing livestock program.