Youth have opportunities to work with livestock species in the 4-h programs. There are county and state level shows, as well as educational opportunities and competitions.
Livestock species include: beef, dairy, goat, horse, poultry, sheep, and swine.
Companion animal species are very approachable projects for 4-Hers. They are often already part of the family!
Companion animal species program areas include dog, pets, and rabbit/cavy.
State level hands-on educational programs allow youth from all over the state to form connections and try new things. Animal Crackers and Dairy Discovery happen one weekend each spring, while Career Explorations and Junior and Beginning Dairy Leaders are longer programs that give youth a more in-depth opportunity to make life long friends and learn new skills. County educators looking to start local programs in Vet Science or Science and Technology can find resources here.
4-H Youth get many opportunities to showcase their knowledge and hard work! Contests in horse, dairy, and livestock judging, horse and dairy quiz bowl, dog and livestock skillathon, and many more allow youth to practice public speaking, use practical knowledge, and gain confidence in their skills. There are opportunities for local, as well as state and national level participation in these events.
There are many opportunities for 4-H Youth to participate in the Great New York State Fair! They can show animals, participate in hands-on demonstrations, and compete in different contests.
4-H Animal Science in the News
Field Note
Brian Aukema ’98 joined the Department of Animal Science in fall 2023 as the New York state 4-H livestock and companion animal specialist. We sat down with him for a chat about his interests, goals and background. What is the focus of your new...
Field Note
The New York State 4-H Horse Program and Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) offer a wide variety of equine projects and activities to New York youth ages 5–19. Brieanna Hughes is the New York State 4-H equine youth specialist. With a background...
Field Note
Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) and the New York State 4-H Youth Development program recently held Animal Crackers, a full-day interactive event for students aged eight and up with interest in animal science. This year’s event happened on May 7th and marked the first year of returning to entirely in-person programming. Dana Palmer, Senior Extension Associate of Cornell’s 4-H Youth Extension, reflects on this year’s successes.
Field Note
Cornell PRO-DAIRY recently hosted Dairy Discovery, an interactive day of workshops for high school students interested in exploring careers in the dairy industry. After two years of online-only events, students were able to attend in-person...
Field Note
Cornell Animal Science Dairy Youth Extension and New York State 4-H provide youth programs for those interested in livestock, pet species, animal biology and production systems. These programs are catalysts for personal growth and development, encouraging leadership, cooperation, and marketable skills for the future. Bekah Martz '25 has been part of 4-H since she was 12 years old and participated in dairy youth extension throughout high school. We sat down with Martz to learn how these experiences led her to study at Cornell CALS Department of Animal Science.
Meeting
Mentoring youth has been a flagship program area since the inception of PRO-DAIRY and is critical to build the next generation of farm owners and managers. A cornerstone of the program is Junior DAIRY LEADER. Participation in Junior DAIRY LEADER...
Workshop
The annual Dairy Discovery program provides New York youth with fun, hands-on science-oriented learning experiences in dairy production and management topics that feature the unique facilities, industry professionals, and staff at Cornell...
Workshop
Animal Crackers 2022 “All Creatures Great and Small” to take place in-person on the Cornell Campus on Saturday, May 7, 2022. This year’s program will highlight the following species: equine, bovine, goat, and dog. The annual Animal Crackers...
Workshop
Entry for the Youth Dairy Judging competition is now open! The contest will be held on September 2nd during the colored-breed week during the New York State Fair. Registration is required and it is open to any New York youth ages 8 to 19 using...
Workshop
We are cautiously optimistic that we will be able to send our NYS 4-H Dairy Challenge Team to Harrisburg for the Junior Dairy Management Contest this Fall. There is a $1,000 scholarship available to the highest scoring youth at this contest and...