{"id":9182,"date":"2025-08-06T15:19:49","date_gmt":"2025-08-06T22:19:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/4h\/?page_id=9182"},"modified":"2025-09-30T09:19:31","modified_gmt":"2025-09-30T16:19:31","slug":"animals","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/4h\/projects\/animals\/","title":{"rendered":"Animal Science"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Animal Science<\/span><\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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Animals raised may encompass a variety of uses, including those raised for food or fiber products (livestock), or those raised to perform or for companionship. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Extension was born out of a commitment to make science useful and available to our local communities. As an Extension program, 4-H strives to include Science, Technology, Engineering and Math into all projects and program areas. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Animal projects offered in Washington 4-H are designed to engage the learner for success and life-skill development. Animal projects are one of the foundational subject matter areas of Washington 4-H. By raising animals, youth gain responsibility and develop critical thinking through animal science-based subject matter, appealing to USDA\u2019s and WSU\u2019s push for STEM education. Many believe that the \u201cCounty Fair\u201d is the target for many youth, but the \u201cJourney to the Fair\u201d is the real education. Washington 4-H projects can serve as a career path for young people who have dedicated time and effort to their self-driven education when they age out of 4-H.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n

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Types of Animal Projects<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Companion, Performance, Food & Fiber projects offered in Washington 4-H are designed to engage the learner for success, resulting in the development of life skills. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The animal science projects are one of the foundational subject matter areas to Washington 4-H. Raising animal projects, youth gain responsibility and develop critical thinking through science-based subject matter, exposing them to STEM education. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCompanion\u201d, \u201cPerformance\u201d, as well as \u201cFood and Fiber\u201d are categories that define the general \u201cuse\u201d of animals.  <\/p>\n\n\n

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Companion Animals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Companion animal projects are any animal that serves in the capacity of companionship and emotional stability, including but not limited to dogs and cats as the most common fit. <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n

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Performance Animals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Performance animal projects are working animals that are intended for active performance; one of the more popular in Washington 4-H, is the horse project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Food & Fiber Animals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Food and fiber animal projects are livestock (large and small) raised to enter the food chain and\/or produce fiber for clothing or household goods. Some species could fit into numerous categories, but we have listed below the use category they are most aligned with.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n\n

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\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCompanion and Performance\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\n\n