Adopt a Calf Program
This exciting opportunity is for any registered 4-H member in Louisa County who is interested in learning about cattle but does not own or have access to cattle. This is NOT for 4-H’ers who have cattle themselves.
Local cattle producers are matched with 4-H’ers who sign up for the program. The producer will provide the market or breeding calf, which will stay on the producer’s farm and ownership will remain with the cattle producer. The 4-H member will work with the producer to learn about what goes into cattle production and showing cattle, including safety around animals, basic care of animals (which will include doing chores), halter breaking animals, and practicing how to show the calf. The 4-H member will have the responsibility of feeding and watering their animal for the majority of the program time. The 4-H’er will be able to show the calf at the Louisa County Fair.
Sign up is open until December 1st. Matching with a cattle producer will occur as registrations come in. 4-H participants will attend a beginning cattle workshop in the winter. 4-H participants will begin with their cattle projects on January 1st, if they haven’t already started. 4-H participants will continue their cattle project until Louisa County Fair in late July.
Lease a Horse Program
This exciting opportunity is for any registered 4-H member in Louisa County who is interested in learning about riding and showing horses but does not own or have access to a horse. This is NOT for 4-H’ers who have horses themselves.
Local horse owners are matched up with 4-H’ers who sign up for the program. The horse owner will provide the horse and there will be an agreement signed between the 4-H’er and the owner. The owner will teach the 4-H’er riding showing techniques on showing the horse. The 4-H’er will be responsible for grooming the horse and learning what is needed to care for the horse in feeding and vaccinating (including chores). The 4-H’er will be able to show the horse at the Louisa County Fair.
Sign up is open until April 1st. Matching with a horse owner will occur as registrations come in. First time horse 4-H participants are encouraged to sign up in early spring to receive more practice with their horse. 4-H participants will continue their horse project until Louisa County Fair in late July.
Broiler Chicken Project
Here is a short-term livestock project for fair. Broiler projects are also especially suitable for those with limited space. Raise chickens at home for broiler meat as a means of producing high quality, nutritious chicken meat!
Any 4-H or FFA member enrolled in Louisa County can purchase a minimum of 15 broilers for $20 from the Louisa County Extension office - you can split your order with another 4-H or FFA member as long as you keep your birds and records separate. More birds may be purchased if desired.
Order for 2023 is due April 21st.
Clover Kids Livestock
Louisa County Clover Kids may show one bucket/bottle calf, lamb, goat, poultry, rabbit, a pet, or a combination of the six. The bucket/bottle calf, lamb, and goat must be born in the year of the show. If showing a pet, contact the Extension office to make sure the animal is allowed. The exhibitor must be an active Clover Kid. Exhibitors need to keep a record sheet, which must be in the exhibitor's handwriting. The exhibitor will need to bring the record sheet to their interview about their animal.
Clover Kid livestock exhibitors will be paired with a 4-H member prior to fair.
The Clover Kids livestock form is due to the Clover Kids leader/Extension office staff by July 1st.
Clover Kids do not need to complete 4hOnline Animal ID, YQCA, or FairEntry for their livestock.
Clover Kid Exhibits & Interviews
A Clover Kids exhibit for the fair should showcase an experience the Clover Kid had during the year. Each Clover Kid will be able to bring a maximum of 2 photos and 2 other exhibits (this limit does not include the forms for livestock - these are additional). Clover Kids will have a short interview (a one-on-one show and tell) with a volunteer to talk about their exhibit and experience.
There is no need to do entry on FairEntry for Clover Kids projects. Just bring it to the interviews!
