Youth Agriculture

All Youth Agriculture Content

Vast, rolling rangeland with spring plant growth.

Investigating Rangeland Systems and Practices

Curriculum to teach students about the facets of rangelands.

Series of trophies on display at a 4-H contest.

Why 4-H?

Reasons why 4-H is a great option for South Dakota youth

Youth campers working on a project together

Life Skills in South Dakota 4-H

Life skills are tools people use to deal with daily situations, make important decisions and enhance their quality of life.

Rangeland and Soils Days participants observing rangeland.

Range Roundup: Opportunities for Youth

There are several opportunities for youth in South Dakota to get exposed to rangeland ecology and management, with involvement from several partners across the state. Learn about some exciting opportunities offered each year!

Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) in South Dakota 4-H resources

About YQCA – the national program
Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) is a national multi-species quality assurance program for youth ages 8 to 21 with a focus on three core pillars: food safety, animal well-being, and character development. The YQCA program is an annual certification created for youth producing and/or showing beef cattle, dairy cattle, sheep, meat goats, dairy goats, swine, poultry, and rabbits. The program has been designed by extension specialists and national livestock program managers to ensure it is accurate, current and relevant to the needs of the animal industry and shows, and is appropriate for youth learning levels.

Group of Rangeland and Soils Day competitors observing grassland conditions during the competiton.

Judging South Dakota Rangelands for Livestock and Wildlife Values

Guide for judging South Dakota rangelands for livestock and wildlife values

two young males with their show goats at a competition

4-H Youth Experience in Animal Projects – Purposes

4-H Youth Development must place an importance on developing “youth experience” versus “contest participation and competition."

4-H member working on a robotics project

Youth Development

SDSU Extension's youth development programs help prepare youth to meet the challenges of adolescence and adulthood.

Olivia Amundson, SDSU Extension Cow/ Calf Specialist, demonstrating an ultrasound machine to a group of 4-H youth.

SDSU Extension Hosts Cattle AI Day Camp at Cottonwood Field Station

December 03, 2021

Twenty 4-H youth involved in the beef project area traveled to the Cottonwood Field Station to participate in the South Dakota State University Extension Cattle AI Day Camp held Nov. 6.

A small herd of cattle grazing a hilly pasture in early fall.

Sustainable Agriculture Curriculum Workshop Postponed

August 16, 2021

The Sustainable Agriculture Curriculum Workshop scheduled for Aug. 19 at the South Dakota State University Extension Pierre Regional Center has been postponed.