Livestock Ethics
A Program for Mississippi Youth
Sponsored by Mississippi 4-H and FFA

Livestock Ethics

The junior livestock program is a unique opportunity to use live animals to develop youth. The main objectives of the program deal with the young person, not the animal. Youth do learn about agriculture and livestock production and develop an appreciation for the livestock industry, but the focus is on teaching life skills and helping youth become productive citizens of our society.

Owning and working with animals; being responsible for their care, health, growth and training; and exhibiting them in a competitive environment are tremendous character-building activities.

Youth exhibitors learn from adult and youth leaders through hands-on activities, while developing integrity, citizenship, and sportsmanship.

This I believe

1. The boy and girl are more important than the project.

2. 4-H and FFA are not trying to replace the home, the church, and the school--only supplement them.

3. Youth are their own best exhibit.

4. No award is worth sacrificing the reputation of a member or leader.

5. Competition is a natural human trait and should be recognized as such in club work. It should be given no more emphasis than other fundamentals.

6. Learning how to do the project is more important than the project itself.

7. Many things are caught rather than taught.

8. A blue ribbon boy with a red ribbon pig is more desirable than a red ribbon boy with a blue ribbon pig.

9. To "Learn by Doing" is fundamental in any sound educational program and characteristic of the 4-H and FFA programs.

10. Generally speaking, there is more than one good way of doing most things.

11. Every member needs to be noticed, to be important, to achieve and to be praised.

12. Our job is to teach members how to think, not what to think. (From USDA PA376 Highlighting the Heart in 4-H)

E	is for exhibitor	The exhibitor will learn to --	accept responsibility for care and training of project animal. create a positive image that reflects 4-H and FFA ideals. serve as a role model for other youth.
T	is for teacher	The teacher/leader will --	direct youth in developing goals that reflect sportsmanship, work ethics, honesty, and fun. encourage a positive attitude, while teaching selection, management, and grooming skills. respect, adhere to, and enforce show rules, policies, and guidelines.
H	is for hands-on-learning	Through hands-on-learning activities, exhibitors will --	develop knowledge and skills of animal science projects. develop compassion for treating animals humanely. learn to select, feed, and groom project animals.
I	is for integrity	Livestock projects develop positive character traits --	integrity is modeled by using only approved drugs in the care of animals, by practicing recommended procedures of fitting and grooming, and by demonstrating positive behavior.
C	is for citizenship	Citizenship is modeled in various ways --	producing high quality, safe, and wholesome food for the consumer, and by playing an important role in the future of animal agriculture. helping others and developing goals that reflect honesty and hard work.
S	is for sportsmanship	Sportsmanship is learned through participation --	learning to accept constructive criticism. appreciating other exhibitors' accomplishments and traits. practicing courteous behavior.

By 4-H and FFA Livestock Ethics Committee. Distributed by the 4-H Youth Development Department, Mississippi State University Extension Service.

Mississippi State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or veteran status.

Publication 2184
Extension Service of Mississippi State University, cooperating with U.S. Department of Agriculture. Published in furtherance of Acts of Congress, May 8 and June 30, 1914. Ronald A. Brown, Director

This document is public information and may be reproduced in part or in total. It should not be used to imply endorsement of any specific brand or product. Mississippi residents may get a printed copy of this publication through their county Extension offices.