Animal Science Youth Education Conference

An intensive three-day animal science education program was developed for teenagers by the animal science department. The objectives of the conference were to:

1. Inform youth of the latest technology in animal science.

2. Allow participants to become familiar with Ohio State University facilities and faculty.

3. Develop youth leadership skills.

Youth, 14 to 18 years of age, participating in this conference filled out an application form and were nominated by county Extension agents and vocational agriculture instructors. Nominations were reviewed by the curriculum teaching committee for the conference. Preference was given to individuals who were 4-H or FFA members and had projects for two or more years. Former conference participants were not eligible to repeat a specific workshop. For example, swine youth conference participants could not attend the swine youth conference again. Approximately twenty-five youth were selected to attend each specie workshop.

The cost of conducting the conference was approximately $100 per student. Participant tuition fees were $25 per student with the remaining funds being supplied by state livestock organizations. The youth participants were housed in university dormitories with adult supervisors.

Participants specialized in beef, swine, sheep, or an animal evaluation curriculum. Each curriculum lasted two and one-half days. Lectures, laboratories, farm tours, and interaction with state livestock organizations were utilized to enhance animal production skills. Leadership skills were developed in seminars conducted by prominent Ohio agricultural professionals. A graduation ceremony was conducted on the last day of the conference where certificates of participation were received.

Students from the animal science department were selected as ambassadors. Ambassadors served as role models and assisted the instructors in conducting the conference.

Participants and their parents evaluated the conference on a scale where a 1 was equal to poor and a 5 was equal to excellent. Evaluations by students were as follows: enrollment and registration, 4.5; physical arrangements, 4.3; special classes, 4.4; and number of activities, 4.6. Parent evaluations were as follows: tuition fee fair, 4.8; your regard for the university, 4.6; overall evaluation, 4.7; and recommend conference to others, 4.9. Based on the evaluations, the youth conference will be continued in the current format. The conference allows current leaders in animal production to interact with future leaders of agriculture.