Welcome to Charles County Animal Science Project Area
4-H animal science projects represent the single largest project area nationally and are popular with Maryland youth as well. Animal Science projects provide opportunities for youth to develop responsibility, decision making, patience, and understanding by regularly caring for their project animals. In addition to feeding and caring for animals, 4-H members learn about animal health, nutrition, physiology, and reproduction. Members in the 4-H Livestock project area learn to understand marketing and the economic importance of the livestock industry as well as record keeping.
Projects are available for: Beef, Cats, Cavies, Dairy Cattle, Dogs, Goats, Horses, Poultry, Rabbits, Sheep, Swine, and Veterinary Science.
Because so much of the Animal Science experience involves the daily care of project animals information and requirements can be found on this site. Please contact Bonnie Boyden at bboyden@umd.edu for questions concerning the Animal Science project area.
On-Line Animal Husbandry & Quality Assurance Program
All Maryland 4-H members enrolled in alpacas, beef, dairy, goats, horse and pony, poultry, sheep, swine and rabbits are required to complete the Maryland 4-H On-Line Animal Husbandry & Quality Assurance (AH&QA) Program to be eligible to exhibit their project animals in Maryland County 4-H and State 4-H Shows. This program is offered to help youth who participate in 4-H animal projects in Maryland learn about the importance of caring for, grooming and showing their animals in safe and ethical ways.
4-Hers are required to complete the on-line training program when they reach each 4-H age division (juniors (8-10), intermediates (11-13), seniors (14-18) - all as of January 1 of the current year) OR when an Intermediate or Senior 4-H member chooses to show a new species since last completing the program within their age division they must return to program and complete the program for the new species area. (The Junior program does not have species specific sections like the Intermediate/Senior program does).
Complete the Maryland 4-H Quality Assurance Online Training Program - available online starting Mid-March and is closed July 31. You must have a current certificate on file as you move from Junior, to Intermediate to Senior.
The QA program must be completed using Firefox, Chrome or Safari web browsers. The program is not supported by Internet Explorer. The program contains two levels, a Junior-aged Level and an Intermediate/Senior-aged Level. The program automatically directs members to the correct level based on their birthdate.
Site will be available each year from mid-March thru July 31
Members may access the AH&QA program at: https://ahqa.umd.edu/
General Information
Dog Info
Dog Project Informational Page
4-H Dog Card: contact Jeanne Williams at jeanneh@umd.edu
Horse & Pony Info
Horse Project Informational Page
4-H Horse Card: contact Jeanne Williams at jeanneh@umd.edu
4-H Performance Animal Lease Guidelines and Statement of Understanding and Release Both forms due every year by May 31
Maryland Department of Agriculture Animal Health Requirements
Horsemanship Standards - levels 1 & 2 (County show) and 3 (State show) - Consists of a written test, oral practicum and riding pattern for each level. To set up an appointment with an examiner, please contact Jeanne Williams at jeanneh@umd.edu. Testing can be done year round.
Livestock Info
Livestock Project Informational Page
Livestock Ad Book Work Sheet Due May 1 of each year
2020 Breeding Animal Registration Due July 1 of each year
4-H Breeding Animal Lease Program Form for Heifers Only and Statement of Understanding and Release Both forms due every year by July 1
Maryland Department of Agriculture Animal Health Requirements
Poultry Info
Poultry Project Informational Page
4-H Poultry Card: contact Jeanne Williams at jeanneh@umd.edu
Maryland Department Agriculture Animal Health Requirements
Maryland Poultry Registration Form (MDA)
Poultry Guidelines and Instructions FOR STATE PROGRAMS (not County)
2015 AGNR - Avian Influenza: What You Need to Know, Not Fear
Rabbit & Cavy Info
Rabbit & Cavy Informational Page
4-H Rabbit Card: contact Jeanne Williams at jeanneh@umd.edu. Due June 1 if you plan to enter in the Maryland State Fair. If not, due August 1 each year
Rabbit & Cavy Guidelines and Instructions FOR STATE PROGRAMS (not County)
Maryland Department Agriculture Animal Health Requirements
For more information, contact Bonnie Boyden
Deadlines
May 1 - 4-H Horse and Dog Leases on file at the Extension Office and updated yearly.
June 1 - 4-H Horse and Pony Cards on file at the Extension Office and updated yearly.
June 1 - 4-H Dog Cards on file at the Extension Office and updated yearly.
July 1 - 4-H Animal Lease Statement of Understanding and Release on file at the Extension Office to be able to show at the fair.
July 31 - State Fair Entries Due
July 31 - Quality Assurance due for beef, goat, horse, poultry, rabbit, sheep and swine if you plan to participate in any of these projects. Available online starting Mid-March and is closed July 31. You are required to take the online training if:
1. You have never taken it before
2. You move up an age level as of January 1 of current year.
a. Juniors ages 8 - 10
b. Intermediate ages 11-13
c. Seniors ages 14 to 18
3. You are adding an animal project
Members may go directly to the AH&QA program at http://www.agnr.umd.edu/ahqa/
August 1 - 4-H Poultry, Rabbit and Cavy Cards on file at the Extension Office and updated yearly.
National 4-H Livestock Judging, Skillathon and Quiz Bowl
The Executive Committee of the National 4-H Livestock Contests Management Committee has been meeting with NAILE to move forward with the 2023 National 4-H Livestock Judging, Skillathon and Quiz Bowl Contest.
The National 4-H Livestock Contests Committee prides itself in conducting high quality, well run contests offering the best opportunity for 4-H’ers across the nation to excel.
We look forward to having the 2023 contests at the North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE) in Louisville, Kentucky.
National 4-H Livestock Judging, Skillathon, and Quiz Bowl Rules and Registration can be found at the following link: https://youthlivestockcontests.org/
Guidelines for National and Multi-State 4-H Competitive Events
Hotel Information:
Crowne Plaza Louisville Airport Expo Center Hotel
830 Phillips Lane
Louisville, KY 40209
(502) 367-2251
Please note that your reservations need to be confirmed no later than October 8, 2023. For individual guests to make a reservation, please use the link below or your guests can call 844-203-1276 and reference group code TH4.
Hotel Link: 4-H Livestock General
NATIONAL 4-H LIVESTOCK JUDGING INFORMATION
2022 Livestock Judging Workouts
Sample Scenarios:
NATIONAL 4-H LIVESTOCK Skillathon INFORMATION
A resource list and at least one example worksheet or problem for each individual and team station is provided below. These are examples only! Most individual stations typically have all species represented (breeds, equipment, meats), although individual quality assurance may be focused on only one species. Team stations are typically focused on one species. Examples of one or two species are provided below.
NATIONAL LIVESTOCK QUIZ BOWL INFORMATION
Presented by: AMERICAN FOOD GROUP
If you have a disability that requires special assistance for your participation in the North American International Livestock Exposition, please contact Bonnie Boyden, University of Maryland Extension, Charles County at 301-934-5404, Ext. 401.
Acceptance of sponsorship/donation does not imply endorsement by 4-H of any firm, product, or service.