AMES, Iowa --The 2019 Iowa State Fair promises to be a record-breaking year for 4-H livestock entries. This year, 8,750 entries have been pre-entered by over 2,300 Iowa 4-H exhibitors. Growth is expected in the individual livestock areas of dairy and meat goat, dog and swine. Pre-entered dairy and meat goat entries have increased by nearly 40 each, dog entries are up 10 and swine numbers are 235 entries higher than previous years.
“Youth today have so many choices on what activities to devote their time and efforts to,” said Mike Anderson, 4-H livestock program specialist and livestock superintendent for the Iowa State Fair. “We’re pleased to see that exploring learning in Iowa 4-H livestock project areas continues to be something that Iowa young people and their parents’ value and enjoy.”
Livestock projects offer youth some of the best ways to learn and grow, by taking on the responsibility of the life of an animal. 4-H exhibitors must maintain proper nutrition, learn about necessary medications and teach their animal to lead, only part of the project learning. Exhibiting at the county and state fair provides them the opportunity to share their hard work and learning with others.
“The 4-H livestock program is still going strong, and the Iowa State Fair is considered by many across the country as the best state fair in the nation. The potentially record-breaking numbers are a testament to the dedicated volunteers and young people that make Iowa 4-H a high quality, engaging, educational program,” said Anderson.
For more information on how to get involved with livestock exhibits at the Iowa State Fair or on joining 4-H, please contact an ISU Extension and Outreach county office or visit the Iowa 4-H webpage at www.extension.iastate.edu/4h.
Photo: The 4-H dog show will be held Sunday, Aug. 18, at the Livestock Pavilion, Iowa State Fair.