In recent months, the University of Kentucky Department of Animal and Food Sciences has been offering biweekly, 20-minute webinars on very specific topics in animal care and animal science. These livecasts are an effective educational tool because they are interactive. The hosts issue a call for questions at the end of each session and give answers in real time and incorporate … [Read more...]
Want More? Check Out the ADGA National Show and Annual Convention
Our state 4-H goat program provides educational sessions and contests each year through the 4-H Goat Extravaganza, Junior Breeder Livestock Symposium at Rutgers, and the State 4-H Goat Show. 4-H members meet others in their project area, learn skills, and share their knowledge and creativity through a team poster contest, skillathon, quiz bowl, art contest, film festival, and … [Read more...]
A Nose for Scent Work
Scent work: What is it? And who can participate? Answer: Anyone can participate with their dog! The American Kennel Club introduced this new canine sport in 2017 based on the job working detection dogs do to locate and communicate the location of the 'hide' back to their handler without disturbing the environment. This is a game dogs love to play as they are born with … [Read more...]
Tack Tagging Game
Do you need a hands-on, fun activity for your next horse club meeting? Why not try a learning game that helps your members remember the types of saddles and their parts? To set up the game, all you need is a few basic materials and several different types of saddles. To start, collect the following items; Post-It Notes®, pens and pencils, scrap paper, saddles, and saddle … [Read more...]
Showcase Your Dog’s Talents with Trick Dog!
What's the first fun trick you taught your dog? Was it paw, shake, or "high five"? What about "speak"? Maybe you taught your dog to spin in a circle, jump through a hoop, go through a tunnel, or sit in a box. All of these tricks can now earn your dog a title in the AKC Trick Dog class. If your dog can perform 10 of the listed tricks, then a Novice Trick Dog title is in … [Read more...]
Ask The Expert – Joanne Powell (part 2)
(Editor’s note: This is part two of a two-part series) Every day is a new adventure for Joanne Powell. As the Research Farm Supervisor for the large animal unit at Rutgers University, Joanne gets to do the things she loves, including being outside with animals! In addition to that, Joanne is a 4-H leader in Somerset County, a role she has had for nearly 30 years. In … [Read more...]
Run an Animal Science Trivia Bowl
Ocean County 4-H runs a Jeopardy-style trivia competition, Animalology, once a year. There are several goals guiding this event: to challenge 4-Hers in reading comprehension, to make learning fun, and to build teamwork skills. We hope this event makes learning about animal science—and other areas of STEM—interactive and enjoyable. Interested in running (or collaborating on) … [Read more...]
State 4-H Small Animal Educational Symposium Set for February 23
The State 4-H Small Animal Educational Symposium will be held on Saturday, February 23, 9:15 am-3:45 pm at the Office of Government Services building located at 1200 North Delsea Drive in Clayton (Gloucester County). The Symposium will provide an opportunity for 4-H members, leaders, and parents to participate in a variety of educational events. Workshops and activities … [Read more...]
Breeds of Dairy Cattle
Did you know that there are six recognized breeds of dairy cattle? In New Jersey and many other states in our country, black and white Holsteins are the predominant breed because of their higher production levels. But in other parts of the world, other breeds are often more common. Most of the dairy breeds are from the British Isles or European countries. A good place to start … [Read more...]
New 4-H Turkey Project: Animal Science and Community Service
This year, New Jersey 4-H is introducing a Turkey project, offering the chance to engage families in poultry science and community service by raising turkeys for families in need for Thanksgiving. The 4-H Turkey Raising And Youth (TRAY) project is for families who wish to participate in a community service project while also learning how to raise turkeys that will be donated … [Read more...]