4-H Animal Science Bonanza

Mark your calendars for the 4-H Animal Science Bonanza! This event kicks off the new year and introduces youth and families to the world of animal science with 4-H, and prepares 4-Hers for the show season ahead. The day features hands-on workshops about animal nutrition, veterinary science, marketing, meat handling, and more!

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE:

• 9:00am-9:30am: Check-in/ registration*
• 9:30am-10:15am: Workshop Session 1
• 10:30am-11:15am: Workshop Session 2
• 11:15am-12:00pm: Lunch (bring your own)
• 12:00pm-12:45pm: Workshop Session 3
• 1:00pm-1:45pm: Workshop Session 4
• *All youth will have a turn in the skillathon room for one of their workshop sessions*
• 2:00pm-2:30pm: National 4-H Trips Panel

* Light refreshments will be available in the morning. Sponsored by the Colts & Fillies 4-H Club but donations are welcome.

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS:

• Sheep Ultrasound: Ultrasound is an important piece of technology for the agriculture industry. Veterinarians are able to confirm pregnancies, view the fetus, and sometimes even tell the sex of the offspring. Join Simon Gascoyne, DVM, of the Walpole Veterinary Clinic as he demonstrates ultrasounds on a pregnant sheep.
• All the Places You’ll Go with 4-H: 4-H has endless opportunities and animal science is no exception. What is the Big E and how do you get there? What is the quiz bowl competition? What do I need to know to get ready to show at the county fair? All of your questions and more will be answered by Mary Davis, former NH 4-H Animal Science Field Specialist in this workshop.
• How to Pick your 4-H Project: For any 4-H project, there are a few fundamental things to know about how to select a healthy, sound, and productive animal. Join Katy Putnam, Virginia Tech alum and Cheshire County 4-H volunteer, as she leads participants through basic judging terminology and how to begin comparing and contrasting traits of animals.
• Marketing your 4-H Projects: Regardless of your end goals, marketing your 4-H project and your skills is an important skill to have. Being able to articulate the value of your work and results of your 4-H project will help with your goals of selling your project or just educating the general public. Join Sarah Carter, for this hands-on informative session on marketing your 4-H projects!
• Building Rations for Success: Getting your 4-H projects started on the right feed program is essential to their success in and out of the show ring. Getting newborn animals the nutrients they need and maintaining healthy growth is important for their productive life down the road. Join Dr. Pete Erickson and Dr. Drew Conroy from UNH in this workshop about building proper feed rations for your animals at home.
• Chiropractic Services for Animals: When people think of a chiropractor, they usually think of how they can benefit human health, but did you know there are chiropractors for animals? Receiving this kind of therapy can be beneficial for both performance and production animals. Elizabeth Morris, D.C, and Cheshire County 4-H alumni will share how she is able to offer her chiropractic services to people and animals alike!
• Anatomy in Real Life: 4-H preaches “learning by doing” and this workshop is just that! Kaylie Madore, USDA meat inspector, will be taking participants through various systems of the animal’s body with real organs and tracts. This is a great way to see first hand how an animal’s body functions and visualize how their systems work together to help them function.
• Judging Goats ADGA Style: When was the last time you brushed up on your ADGA (American Dairy Goat Association Guidelines)? The association provides helpful standards for showing your 4-H goat projects in the showring, and also judging animals. Sarah Gardner, 4-H alum, longtime 4-H volunteer, and owner of Dreamtimes Farm where she breeds and shows Toggenburg goats, will take you through these standards to set you up for success!
• National 4-H Trips Panel: NH 4-H offers several national 4-H experiences, and who better to learn from than the 4-H members who attending them! At the conclusion of the workshop sessions, all participants will be invited to listen to a panel of 4-H members who attended trips like the National 4-H Dairy Conference, Ignite by 4-H (formally the Agriscience Summit), and more! It’s never too early to start thinking about these opportunities!

EVENT REGISTRATION:

Registration will be open November 14 - December 22 through 4HOnline. Youth ages 8-18 are invited to participate in this event. Non 4-H participants are welcome! Register here: https://animalsciencebonanza.4honline.com

For event registration questions please contact the office at 603-255-3556, for all other questions, please contact the event’s coordinator Hannah Majewski at 603-255-3508.

If any accommodations are needed in order to participate fully in this event contact Hannah Majewski (603) 255-3508 by December 22, informing us of your need, to allow us time to make the necessary arrangements. 

COST:

There is a $5.00 fee per participant. Payment should be brought to the event. Checks can be made out to "Cheshire County 4-H Foundation".

No person shall be denied the opportunity to participate in this program because of inability to pay.