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Scramble animal program and YQCA required to exhibit
One program that many may not be aware of is that 4-H’ers who want to experience an animal project in sheep, goat, swine or dairy steer may try it out by receiving a scramble (donated) animal for that particular species.
This is typically a youth who is in grade 3, 4 or 5 who wants to try the particular species animal project. Certain criteria apply like having the necessary facility to care for the animal, and one may only have one scramble animal in any given year. The intent is to help build interest in youth to show a particular species and learn from the project experience. Contact the Extension office (info below) if you would like to know more or sign up and we will let the respective species superintendent know of your interest.
4-H’ers exhibiting any beef, dairy, goats, poultry, rabbits, sheep and swine must complete the Youth Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) to exhibit these species of livestock. The YQCA is a quality assurance program similar to the Junior Pork Quality Assurance (JPQA) program that swine members have completed for many years in order to be allowed to sell swine. The only exception for someone to not complete the YQCA to show this year is for those who have a current valid JPQA card on show day. As JPQA cards expire, these youth will transition to the YQCA program as well.
What is the YQCA? It is a one-hour program that must be taught by a certified Extension educator, FFA adviser or veterinarian, or it may be completed online. Face-to-face adviser meetings will cost $3 while the online programs will cost $12. The fees are completely handled online with the YQCA registration website via credit card. The local Extension office has obtained a few coupon codes for those who do not have access to a credit or debit card for payment.
Emails/texts have been going to all livestock members to provide reminders of upcoming programs. All 4-H members will sign up for a training at https://yqca.learngrow.io/Account/Login and login with your 4honline account info if you want to check it out.
Also, there are links at the Putnam 4-H Livestock page located at www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam for a shorter URL. Many other livestock shows are said to be requiring this certification as well, so FFA or other youth not enrolled in the 4-H program may create an account and become certified as well.
Indiana 4-H, like many other states, has adopted this program to help ensure food safety and proper animal care educational awareness. Already having conducted four programs, the general feedback regarding the program has been positive locally. The slide decks required for use in the face-to-face programs are interactive in nature, keeping the audience engaged.
Upcoming YQCA programs may be found in the Upcoming Events section of this column. One may also complete the certification in another county. The certification is not species specific, meaning you only need to complete it once annually despite the fact one may exhibit multiple species.
One can still sign up for 4-H using https://v2.4honline.com/#/user/sign-in to enroll. Soon Horse and Pony, Archery and Dog will be closed. 4-H programming has continued despite COVID-19 in a safe manner following local health department guidelines and the Indiana State Department of Health map guidelines.
If you have questions about Putnam County 4-H, contact 4-H Youth Development Extension Educator Mark Evans, Education Program Coordinator Kim Beadles or Office Team Manager Kristy Straziscar for help.
Check www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam to view the most up-to-date info. Readers can also contact the local Purdue Extension office at 653-8411 for more information regarding column topics or to RSVP for upcoming events.
Upcoming Events
Feb. 7 – Eating More Heart-Healthy with Fiber, Putnam Extension Facebook page, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 8 – Keeping the Farm Resilient in Uncertain Times (three-night event), 6:30-8:30 p.m., $30, register by Feb. 3 at https://tinyurl.com/PU-SP2021
Feb. 10 – Wild Eats: Cooking for Flavor and Safety – Small Game -- virtual -- 3-3:30 p.m., register at https://tinyurl.com/wildeatswebinar
Feb. 11 – The Big Pine Creek Watershed Project, noon, register at http://tinyurl.com/WIAWebinar
Feb. 14 – Eating More Heart-Healthy with Sodium, Putnam Extension Facebook page, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 21 – Eating More Heart-Healthy with Fat, Putnam Extension Facebook page, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 22 – ServSafe Food Managers online exam, 9 a.m.-noon, $65-$115, register at https://www.purdue.edu/servsafe/workshops
Feb. 23 – Annie’s Project, 9 a.m.-noon or 1-4 p.m., $65, register by Feb. 9 at https://tinyurl.com/PUAP21
Feb. 28 – Eating More Heart-Healthy cooking demo, Putnam Extension Facebook page, 7:30 p.m.