

Youth Development
SDSU Extension's youth development programs help prepare youth to meet the challenges of adolescence and adulthood.
SDSU Extension's youth development programs help prepare youth to meet the challenges of adolescence and adulthood.
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.
Use this guide to navigate the complete Science of Agriculture program; from recruiting team members all the way through celebrating at the end of the season.
Self-identification of 4-H animal projects means the youth/family are responsible for proper and accurate animal data entry.
4-H Youth Development must place an importance on developing “youth experience” versus “contest participation and competition."