Youth in 4-H Animal Science projects learn and practice life skills, emphasizing decision-making, acquiring knowledge, and taking personal responsibility through participation in 4-H animals science opportunities such as project animal care, judging, and bowl events.

Youth develop competencies in animal science, including an understanding of animal sciences and animal management and an awareness of agricultural issues in society (e.g., concern for animal well-being and increasing public agricultural literacy.)

Youth have opportunities to learn about the parts of an animal, breeds, costs to raise animals, how to care for animals, and much more. Youth can learn about animals without owning one!

Steps to Success for all Animal Projects

Market animals that will be part of the AAC Fair Auction must follow the policies and procedures set by the Livestock Auction Committee (LAC). Here is the Livestock Auction Committee Checklist with all requirements including: document and website links, due dates, contacts, etc. 

Animal Registration Forms - must be completely and accurately filled out:

  1. Maryland 4-H Dog Identification Card 
  2. Maryland 4-H Horse & Pony Identification Card (If the Horse or Pony are leased: the UME Maryland 4-H Performance Animal Lease Program Guidelines and Maryland 4-H Animal Lease Program Statement of Understanding and Release are required)
  3. Maryland 4-H Livestock Identification Card
  4. Maryland 4-H Poultry, Rabbit, and Cavy Identification Card

Leased Animal Forms

Additional Forms and Links

MDA Fair and Show Requirements (Must be done immediately BEFORE loading on the trailer)

  1. Equine Exhibitor’s Self Certification of Animal Health
  2. Livestock Exhibitor’s Self Certification of Animal Health
  3. Poultry Exhibitor’s Self Certification of Animal Health
  4. Rabbit Exhibitor’s Self Certification of Animal Health
  • Average Daily Gain Worksheet (Market Projects Only) - worksheet found on checklist
  • Feed Assurance/Animal Medication Form (Market Projects Only) - form found on checklist
  • Stall Poster – Thank You (Market Projects Only)
  • Raffle Ticket stubs, money, and extras (Market Projects Only)

Timeline for Animal Projects

January 1 - 4-H Member Registration (All 4-H Members and Volunteers) - 4honline.com

Second Saturday in January - Steer Weigh-In (Market Steers Only) 9am - Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds - bring Maryland 4-H Livestock Registration Form - must be completely and accurately filled out before weighing-in"

February 1 - All 4-H Members Record Books due to 4-H Office – anyone who carried an animal project must turn in project records from the previous year in order to carry a project in the current year.

February, TBA -  Mandatory Livestock Education meeting, for 4-H/FFA members holding a project to raise an animal and show at the Anne Arundel County Fair. (Rabbits, Poultry, Goats, Cattle, Pigs, Lambs, Llamas, etc)

Third Wednesday in May - Livestock Weigh-In (Market Goats, Sheep, Hogs Only) 4-7pm – Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds. A Maryland 4-H Livestock Registration Form must be completely and accurately filled out and submitted. 

April - July 31 -  Animal Husbandry & Quality Assurance (AH&QA). AH&QA opens beginning of April and closes July 31. All 4-H members enrolled in alpacas, beef, dairy, goats, horse and pony, llamas, poultry, sheep, swine and rabbits are required complete the training to be eligible to exhibit their project animals annually in Maryland County 4-H and State 4-H Shows. 

There is one part to the Junior Level. There are two parts to the Intermediate/Senior Level: • Part 1 is general animal information. • Part 2 contains specific information for each animal species - members will need to complete Part 2 of the program for each specie project they are enrolled in and wish to exhibit. Intermediate and Senior members must complete both parts.  

Additional AH&QA program details are posted on the Animal Science Program Area page of the Maryland 4-H website. Upon completion you will have an opportunity to print a Certificate of Completion for your records. Download/print this certificate and ensure it has your name, you are not a Guest. If it states "guest" you will not receive credit for completing your AH&QA.

July 31 Deadline - Animal Husbandry & Quality Assurance (AH&QA)

July - State Fair Online Pre-Entries Due 

August TBD - County Fair Animal Online Pre-Entries Due

September 1  - All Animal Project registrations/ paperwork not handed in at a prior Weigh-in event are due to County Office. Lease/Ownership paperwork due as applicable. 

September - County Fair Time!!