Animal Science

Youth in 4-H Animal Science projects learn and practice life skills, with an emphasis on decision-making, knowledge acquisition, and personal responsibility, through participation in 4-H animal 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!

Leasing Program

MDA Fair and Show Requirements

Livestock

Dog

  • Maryland Dog Identification Card
    • If you are planning to show or participate in any dog show events during the year, you need to register your dog with your local 4-H Office by completing a Maryland 4-H Dog  Identification Card. File with the Extension Educator one card for each dog prior to June 1 of the current year.

Horse

  • Maryland 4-H Club Horse & Pony Identification Card
  • If you are planning to show or participate in any horse show events during the year, you need to register your horse with your local 4-H Office by completing a Maryland 4-H Club Horse & Pony Identification Card. File with the Extension Educator one card for each horse prior to June 1 of the current year.
  • Equine Self-Certification
     

Rabbit

 

Poultry

  • Maryland Poultry Identification Card
    • If you are planning to show or participate in any poultry show events during the year, you need to register your poultry with your local 4-H Office by completing a Maryland 4-H Rabbit, Polutry, Cavy Identification Card. File with the Extension Educator one card for each dog prior to June 1 of the current year.
  • Poultry Self-Certification Form

Cavy

  • Maryland Cavy Identification Card
    • If you are planning to show or participate in any cavy show events during the year, you need to register your cavy with your local 4-H Office by completing a Maryland 4-H Rabbit, Poultry, Cavy Identification Card. File with the Extension Educator one card for each dog prior to June 1 of the current year.

Maryland 4-H Animal Husbandry and Quality Assurance Program 

  • Click here to start the program:  AHQA 

The site will open in May of the current year and remain open through August. Completion of this program is required to show your project animal(s) in County and State 4-H Shows. The deadline to complete the training is July 1 of the current year. 
Click here for Program Guidelines and Tips.

 

Diamond Clover Award - Forms

The Diamond Clover Award Program engages 4-H youth in a variety of projects and activities that will enable them to acquire skills related to leadership, community service, civic engagement and advocacy. The award consists of six levels that require a 4-H member to plan and accomplish a broad range of age-appropriate goals with supportive volunteers and community members. The Diamond Clover Project is one-way 4-H youth can make a lasting difference in their community. 

Diamond Clover - FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

All Diamond Clover Forms can be found here:

Diamond Clover Guidelines and Forms

Ag Expo & Fair

Washington County Ag Expo and Fair

Here is some helpful information and things you need to know when showing an animal at the Fair.  Click on each species for more info. 

Bringing a Steer/Heifer to the Fair?

Bringing Swine to the Fair?

Bringing a Sheep to the Fair?

Bringing a Meat Goat to the Fair?

Bringing a Dairy Goat to the Fair?

Bringing Dairy Cattle/Steer to the Fair?

Bringing a Rabbit to the Fair?

Bringing Poultry to the Fair?

Bringing a Horse to the Fair?

Record Book Forms

Completing a 4-H record book is a good way to learn the "Life Skill" of record keeping.  Your Record Book is a record of all your 4-H projects and activities for the year.  The year runs from January 1st through December 31st.  All 4-H club members are required to submit a 4-H record book, in order to show at the Washington County Ag Expo and Fair and/or the Maryland State Fair.  
2025 Senior Essay Question:
"When faced with the potential of limited funding, how would you advocate to your community the value of funding the 4-H youth development program?"

Record books are due to your club leaders by January 15, or any earlier deadline they set.
 

Record Book Guidelines
Record Book Workshop - Slides 

Senior Resume & Portfolio Guide Sheet
Senior Resume Example & Score Sheet
Senior Resume Record Book Workshop - Slides

Title Page

4-H Summary (Printable Version)
Summary Record Example
Summary Record Journal of Activities, Download, Fill-In and Save

Project Goal Examples
4-H Projects/Corresponding Record Book Forms

2025 Weigh-in Dates
Market Livestock Project (Printable Version)

Large Animal Breeding Project (Printable Version)

Horse & Pony Project (Printable Version)

Rabbit & Cavy Project (Printable Version)

Poultry Project (Printable Version)

Dog Project (Printable Version)

Small Pet Project (Printable Version)

Camelid Project (Printable Version)

General Project (Printable Version)