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Goat (Dairy and Meat)

Participating in a Goat Project can be an excellent learning experience for a 4-H member.

4-H Goat Curriculum

Project Books (Curriculum) on Shop 4-H promote positive youth development through experiential learning. We believe that youth retain more information -- and have more fun! -- when they are part of the learning process.

Whether a beginner, intermediate or advanced participant in the Goat Project, using the 4-H Curriculum can be an excellent tool to help members complete learning objectives fitting to their experience and skill set level. 4-H Curriculum can be handed in at the end of the year (by August 31st) in place of a Project Achievement Record (Found in Section F of the Nelson County Record Book). All Projects and Records handed in will be returned to members at Awards Day in Sept/Oct.

Dairy Goat

Meat Goat

Just Browsing - Level 1 Meat Goat
Get Growing with Meat Goats - Level 2
Meating the Future - Level 3
Meat Goat Helper's Guide

The Nelson County Extension Office will purchase up to 2 curriculum guides per year for 4-H members. Contact Katelyn (katelyn.hain@ndsu.edu) if you would like assistance with purchasing.

Goat Events

During the Winter months, a number of Livestock Judging Events take place all across the State and region to test youth's knowledge of Goats and other animals. Some events judge live animals while others do not. Contact Katelyn if interested in competing in Livestock Judging Events. 4-H Members have a chance to join a team in a neighboring county if there are not enough youth interested in their home county to make up a complete team.

North Dakota State Livestock Judging Page

Record Keeping

Due May 17th, 2019: Large Animal Livestock Registration Form (Fillable PDF)

There are three different record books that are acceptable to help a 4-H Members keep track of animal care. 4-H members are permitted to use a different set of records if they find something that works better for them. Records (along with any partially or fully completed project book related to Goat) should be showcased to the Judge at the Fair.

4-H Dairy Record
ND 4-H Market Animal Project Record (Recommended for Senior Projects)
Nelson County 4-H Goat (Breeding and Market) Project Record (Recommended for Junior Projects)

Youth for the Quality Care Of Animals (YQCA)

YQCA certification is required in order to participate in animal exhibition at the Nelson County Fair and the ND State Fair. 4-H Members must be re-certified every year.

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.

YQCA certification is being accepted by many livestock shows and fairs that require youth quality assurance certification. View the list here, but always check the entry requirements of each show for complete details.

YQCA includes information for youth showing the following food animals:

Pigs
Beef Cattle
Dairy Cattle
Sheep
Goats
Market Rabbits
Poultry

There are two options available to youth in order to become YQCA certified.

Option 1: YQCA training will be offered in-person 2x per year in Nelson County; once in the Fall and once in the Spring. Dates TBA. Cost: $3.00

Option 2: Complete the training at home, online. Cost: $12.00

To Register for a training visit https://learngrow.io/. Search for a training in Nelson County to attend in person. Select the on-line training option if completing at home. To log in, create an account at https://learngrow.io/ or login with your 4-HOnline credentials.

Visit YQCA.org for more information about this nationwide program.

ND 4-H YQCA