YQCA (Youth for the Quality Care of Animals) is a useful tool to help guide youth through best practices when raising a food animal. This program will provide youth with the skills to produce a safe and wholesome product from an animal that was raised humanely while enriching their life skills through thoughtful content. It is supported by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Pork Board, and the American Sheep Industry Association as an equivalent to their adult quality assurance industry educational programs. Having youth participate prior to the beginning of their project will result in youth having the resources throughout their project for success.
Find out more about the Youth for the Quality Care of Animals program.
You may sign up to take the Youth for the Quality Care of Animals Training on the YQCA website.
Starting October 1, 2023 for the 2023-2024 year of 4-H, Snohomish County 4-H youth who raise livestock animals and are at least 8 years old will be required to maintain certification in YQCA (Youth for the Quality Care of Animals).
Youth who need a scholarship to cover the $12 cost for the online class may contact snoco.4h@wsu.edu . The Snohomish County 4-H Council is sponsoring youth in need.
In-person classes for YQCA certification are also available periodically! For more information, please contact snoco.4h@wsu.edu or 425-357-6044.