The mission of the youth livestock validation program is to promote a positive youth development environment focused on ensuring rules for livestock exhibition are being followed under the supervision of county Extension agents and agricultural science teachers. This helps to foster integrity, virtues and values of youth and families.
The purpose of validation is to encourage positive relationships with county Extension agents, agricultural science teachers and local stake holders, create a level playing field for youth livestock projects, maximize youth experience and life skill development, and facilitate youth engagement with livestock projects.
Validation allows youth to build on life skills such as responsibility, respect, teamwork and communication. By participating in the livestock project, youth exhibitors learn daily care, nutrition, reproduction and production practices specific to livestock projects.
To accomplish these objectives, Hopkins County 4-H and FFA chapters partner with the Northeast Texas Livestock Association to conduct livestock project validations. The upcoming validation dates are as follows:
• Lambs and Goats: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14 at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center,
• County Steers: 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, live at Cattlemen’s Veterinary Clinic,
• County and State Heifers: 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, live at Cattlemen’s Veterinary Clinic,
• Swine (4-H projects for NETLA Jr. Livestock Show): 4-5:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23, live at the Extension Office and
• Poultry (for NETLA Jr Livestock Show, 4-H only): By Monday, Nov. 30, 2020 at the Extension Office.