Education

Understand the importance of character education for Texas 4-H and FFA members. Ensure that all 4-H and FFA livestock projects meet food quality standards. Promote a positive image of youth livestock programs. Objectives

Character – The combination of qualities or features that distinguishes one person, group or thing from another (American Heritage Dictionary) Developed through day-to-day behavior Demonstrated by the way people act and the things they are involved in Young people emulate character traits of adult role models. Important to have role models who demonstrate good character traits What is character education?

Trustworthiness Respect Responsibility Fairness Caring Citizenship Six Pillars of Character

Recognizes that animals depend on their caretakers Feeds only approved livestock rations Feeds and waters animals daily Adheres to the possession deadlines Adheres to withdrawal times for drugs and dewormers Uses only approved drugs Trustworthiness

Showmanship Handles and treats animals humanely Cares for animals properly Listens to and follows advice of advisors Recognizes that animals depend on their caretakers Respect

Feeds and waters animals daily (even on busy, difficult days) Goes beyond providing the daily needs of the animal by giving it extra time and attention to produce a winner Adheres to deadlines for entry form and for arrival at livestock shows Feeds only approved livestock rations Uses only approved drugs Responsibility

Feeds only approved livestock rations Uses only approved drugs Accepts winning or losing with grace Follows rules in the show ring Follows recommended procedures for fitting and grooming an animal Fairness

Feeds and waters the animals daily Keeps the stall and barn clean Handles and treats animals humanely Caring

Accepts instruction Accepts winning or losing with grace Helps others at stock shows Teaches younger members Handles and treats animals humanely Ensures that meat is safe for consumption Citizenship

For additional information and activities on the Six Pillars of Character in the Quality Counts curriculum see: Chapter 1: Introduction to “Quality Counts,” Lesson 5 Activity 1 – Defining the Six Pillars of Character Activity 2 – Applying the Six Pillars of Character to Livestock Projects Activity 3 – It’s a Question of Ethics Activity 4 – Tight Spaces

Important for young people to understand the mission and purpose of both 4-H and FFA Helps them appreciate each of the organizations and the privilege of membership Each organization promotes the following Challenges Competencies Preparing young people Potential Life skills Success Leadership Educational experiences Personal growth Purpose of 4-H and FFA

For additional information and activities on the Purpose of 4-H and FFA in the Quality Counts curriculum see: Chapter 1: Introduction to “Quality Counts,” Lesson 2 Activity 1 – Understanding 4-H and FFA Activity 2 – 4-H and FFA Building Character

Teach young people how to feed and care for animals, work cooperatively with others, and exhibit animals properly Teach life skills Encourage responsibility in civic duties: –Excellent classroom grades –Exemplary behavior in school and community –Follow all rules related to showing livestock Purpose of Livestock Projects

For additional information and activities on the Purpose of Livestock Projects in the Quality Counts curriculum see: Chapter 1: Introduction to “Quality Counts,” Lesson 3 Activity 1 – The Real Purpose of Livestock Projects Activity 2 – Name that Skill

Learning to set goals is important to youth development. Young people who write clear, defined goals are more likely to achieve those goals. When writing goals, focus on raising and caring for livestock, practicing showmanship, and helping others. Making Decisions / Setting Goals

For additional information and activities on Making Decisions/Setting Goals in the Quality Counts curriculum see: Chapter 4: Showing With Sportsmanship, Lesson 1 Activity 1 – What motivates us to have livestock projects? Activity 2 – What is success? Activity 3 – Writing Personal Goals

Texas had 76,326 livestock entries by 4-H and FFA members in Texas leads the nation in the number of livestock projects exhibited. Young people are paid premiums for their animals at local and county livestock shows. Young exhibitors should be producing safe, wholesome food products. Effect of Livestock Projects on the Red Meat Industry

For additional information and activities on the Impact of Livestock Projects on the Red Meat Industry in the Quality Counts curriculum see: Quality Counts - Gold: Marketing Livestock Section

Identification is important for tracking animals. Helps tell the history of the animal This may include: –exhibitor / owner –birth date of animal –location of animal –genetics of animal If ID is lost or falls out, a new one must be put in. Animal Identification and Tracking

For additional information and activities on Animal Identification and Tracking in the Quality Counts curriculum see: Chapter 3: Proper Care of Livestock, Lesson 1 Activity 1 – Ear Notching

Young people should understand: –Food Quality Assurance –HACCP Plans –Effects of improper medications and incorrect feedstuffs Producing unsafe food can be detrimental to the food supply. Consequences include: –Contamination –Pesticide or drug residue problems –Food recalls Responsibility to Produce a Safe Product

For additional information and activities on Responsibilities of Producing a Safe Product in the Quality Counts curriculum see: Chapter 2: Food Safety, Lesson 2 Activity 1 – Create Your Own HACCP Plan Activity 2 – Identifying Hazards Activity 3 – Broken Needles

Young people should know: how to read medication labels and give proper injections the difference between label, off label and extra label drugs how to give injections properly injection site blemishes cause muscle cuts to be discarded Medication Use / Reading and Following Labels

For additional information and activities on Medication Use / Identifying and Following Labels in the Quality Counts curriculum see: Lesson 4 – Drug Withdrawal Times Activity 1 – Record Keeping Activity 2 – Calculating Withdrawal Times Activity 3 – Treatment Record Lesson 5 – Drug Residues Activity 1 – Disappearing Residue Activity 2 – Sunscreen No No Chapter 3: Proper Care of Livestock, Lesson 2 Activity 1 – Reading a Medication Insert Activity 2 – Reading a Feed Tag Activity 3 – Label Use of Drugs Activity 4 – Medication Labels Lesson 3, Administering Medicines Activity 1 – Livestock Injection Sites Activity 2 – Banana Injection Activity 3 – Injection Site Blemish Activity 4 – Burrs on Needles

Provide proper facilities for livestock. Facilities should be well ventilated and protect animals from extreme temperatures. Provide fresh water and feed daily. Proper bedding helps prevent disease and bacterial infections. Use low-stress methods when transporting animals. Animal Care and Well-Being

For additional information and activities on Animal Care and Well-Being in the Quality Counts curriculum see: Chapter 3: Proper Care of Livestock, Lesson 6 Activity 1 – Defining Character and Ethics Lesson 7, Caring for your Animal’s Health Activity 1 – Calculating Average Daily Gain Activity 2 – Calculating Dosage from Medicine Labels Activity 3 – Estimating Show Weight Activity 4 – Keeping Records for a Livestock Project

Adults should embrace all educational aspects of livestock projects. When showing livestock, exhibitors should not be focused on winning or losing but on gaining life skills and learning good character traits. Adults should emphasize the eight core concepts of Quality Counts: –Six Pillars of Character –Purpose of 4-H / FFA –Purpose of livestock projects –Making –Effect of livestock projects on the red meat industry –Responsibility to produce a safe product –Medication use / reading and following labels –Animal care and well-being Final Thoughts