From livestock evaluation to food production and animal care, Kentucky 4-H youth are gaining hands-on agricultural experience through a wide range of programs designed to prepare them for future careers and leadership roles. Through competitions, camps, and long-standing projects, Kentucky 4-H continues to equip young people across the Commonwealth with real-world skills that support its Beyond Ready mission.
Youth participation remains strong across numerous agriculture-based opportunities, including Livestock Quiz Bowl, Livestock Skillathon, Livestock Judging, Dog Camp, Dairy Jeopardy, Cow Camp, and the well-known Country Ham Project. These programs provide practical education in animal science, decision-making, and agricultural responsibility, while connecting youth to Kentucky’s farming heritage.
One of Kentucky 4-H’s largest and longest-running programs, the Country Ham Project, is currently underway, with ham houses filling across the state as participants prepare their entries for the Kentucky State Fair. The project continues to introduce youth to food production practices while reinforcing patience, record-keeping, and attention to detail.
Along with statewide participation, Kentucky 4-H youth also achieved significant success during the past fall competition season at the national level. The Kentucky 4-H State Livestock Quiz Bowl team earned recognition as Reserve National Champions, competing against teams from across the country. Team members Creighton Smith, Sophia Smith, Pollyanna Vaske, and Cate Noe were all named All-Americans, an honor awarded to top-performing individuals.
Kentucky 4-H also found success in Livestock Skillathon, where the state team placed in the top ten overall nationally. Team members included Sarah Vanzant, Ella Were, Hayden Westfall, and Stockton Stivers, with Vanzant earning recognition as a high individual overall competitor.
The Kentucky 4-H Livestock Judging Team had an active fall season, traveling nationwide to compete and further develop their judging skills. Through multiple contests and training opportunities, team members gained experience evaluating livestock and applying industry standards.
“All three of these competitions (Livestock Quiz Bowl, Skillathon, and Livestock Judging) have given me a foundation of real-world knowledge and experience that will allow me to be successful in a future ag career or in life,” said Creighton Smith, a member of the Kentucky 4-H Livestock Quiz Bowl team and Kentucky 4-H Treasurer.
Looking ahead, Livestock Quiz Bowl and Skillathon state competitions are scheduled for late February, with the Livestock Judging state competition taking place in May. Participation in these events continues to grow as more youth across Kentucky become involved in agriculture programs.
Serving more than 208,000 young people statewide, Kentucky 4-H remains the largest youth organization in the Commonwealth. Not only through agriculture projects and competitions, but across seven core content areas, the program continues to prepare youth to be Beyond Ready for the future of agriculture and life beyond the farm.