News Release Distributed 05/03/10
The LSU AgCenter is implementing an online quality assurance and
ethics training program for 4-H and FFA members and their families who
are interested in participating in its youth livestock projects.
A voluntary pilot version of the program was offered to youth during
the 2010 LSU AgCenter Spring Livestock Show held at the Lamar-Dixon Expo
Center during February 2010. The complete certification program will be
available for 4-H and FFA members and their families later this summer
and will be required for the 2011 show season.
“Many 4-H’ers and FFA members completed the program and provided
positive feedback on the training during the livestock show this
spring,” said Dr. Bobby Fletcher, assistant director of the LSU
AgCenter’s Extension Service. “The online program provides educational
materials on ethical treatment and showing of animals and features a
short certification process at the end of the program for each species
of animal students plan on exhibiting. “
Beginning with the 2011 district and state livestock shows sponsored
by the LSU AgCenter, all 4-H and FFA members must complete the
certification process prior to entering their animals in any of the LSU
AgCenter livestock shows.
“Livestock projects have long been a major part of the Louisiana 4-H
and FFA programs, and tens of thousands of Louisiana 4-H’ers and FFA
members have learned lifelong skills such as individual responsibility,
hard work, citizenship and personal ethics raising and showing livestock
in the 4-H and FFA programs,” said Dr. Gary Hay, interim director of
the LSU AgCenter’s Department of Animal Sciences. “Whether it’s beef or
dairy cattle, sheep or swine, livestock projects teach young people not
only the everyday responsibilities of feeding and caring for living
animals but also the patience, dedication and attention to detail
associated with training an animal to show as well as grooming and
preparing an animal for competitive showing.”
Officials stress personal ethics has long been a major part of the
educational process associated with livestock projects and that ethical
care and handling of animals is a key area of emphasis in the 4-H and
FFA livestock programs.
“Proper feeding, housing, health care and overall living conditions
are critical for the health and performance of animals,” said Dwayne
Nunez, state livestock and horse show leader for the LSU AgCenter.
“Those are values our exhibitors have known throughout the 75-year
history of our livestock shows.”
Before exhibitors will be allowed to enter animals in any of the
district competitions leading up the LSU AgCenter’s state livestock show
in 2011, they will be required to supply a copy of the certificate
showing they have completed the online training and received the proper
certification. A copy of the certificate must be supplied to LSU
AgCenter county agents or FFA instructors at the time entry forms are
filed by potential participants.
“This new opportunity is another part of the ongoing educational
experience that is 4-H,” said Dr. Paul Coreil, vice chancellor of the
LSU AgCenter and director of its Extension Service. “Ethical care and
showing of livestock is a fun and exciting tool to teach students
responsibility and ethical behavior.
“And, of course, responsibility and ethical behavior are two of many
lifelong citizenship skills learned in the 4-H and FFA programs.”
For more information about the Louisiana 4-H program or the LSU
AgCenter, visit www.lsuagcenter.com.
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Contacts:
Bobby
Fletcher
Gary
Hay
Dwayne
Nunez
Writer:
Tom
Merrill