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Home > Youth Exhibitors > Education Requirements & Opportunities - Animals & Shooting Sports > Small Animal Departments

Small Animal Departments



The Dane County 4-H Small Animal Committee and youth leaders usually have organized in-person education meetings in January and March for those youth interested in Cavies (Guinea Pigs), Poultry, and Rabbits. These educational events are open to all youth and are free. All youth who are interested in showing cavies, poultry, and/or rabbits at the Dane County Fair are required to attend an education event related to the animal species they will show and must meet these educational requirements:
  • List of approved Small Animal Education Events (listed below)
  • 4-H Small Animal Page - More information on the 4-H meetings being offered
  • Education Requirement Card - Complete this card after attending an education event or meeting. The completed card must be uploaded to the ONLINE PORTAL - Opens in April. Education requirements must be met and submitted by June 15, 2024 at 11:59pm in order to show at the Dane County Fair.
  • Complete Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) certificate between 9/1/2023-6/15/2024. YQCA is required for youth who will show poultry, rabbits, or cavies at the Dane County Fair. Youth can complete this certification online anytime. There is a $12 fee for the online training. YQCA is designed as an annual education and certification program focused on food safety, animal well-being, and character awareness for youth ages 8 to 21. 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.
  • If showing in more than one species, youth must complete and submit the requirements for each species separately.
  • To receive credit for judging/showmanship, youth must include results.
  • To receive credit for an open show, youth showing poultry must include exhibitor list and highlight their name and youth showing cavy or rabbit must include a remark card stamped by the judge.
  • To receive credit for proficiency application, youth must include a copy of the proficiency.


2024 Approved Education Offerings More to be announced

Cavy (Guinea Pig)
  • 4/6/24 (RESCHEDULED DATE)Small Animal Education In-person Meeting (Cavy and Rabbits ONLY) – NEW LOCATION: Space Place Meeting Room in lower level (2300 S. Park Street, Madison) from 9:00am-11:00am (click link for details)
  • 4-H Cavy Project Meeting
  • 4-H Cavy Project Meeting Presenter
  • Open Cavy Show – must include a remark card stamped by the Judge

Poultry
  • 3/9/24Small Animal Education In-person Meeting (Small Animal Market Sale and Poultry ONLY) – 4-H Office from 9:00-11:00am (click link for details)

  • 4/20/24Hatchery Tour – Wolff's Bellefontaine Farms at 10:00am (more details to come soon)

  • 4-H Poultry Project Meeting
  • 4-H Poultry Project Meeting Presenter
  • Open Poultry Show – must include exhibitor list and highlight youth name
  • Agricultural Sciences Courses (Poultry): High School, Technical College, or University Courses in Animal Science, Animal Production, Feeds and Feeding, Animal Housing, Veterinary Science, Livestock Evaluation or Agribusiness during the school year completed prior to the DCF
  • FFA State Proficiency Application:
    • Agriscience Research-Animal Systems*
    • Poultry Production
    • Diversified Agricultural Production*
    • Diversified Livestock Production*
    • Organic Agriculture*
      *Ag Sciences instructor acknowledges Supervised Agricultural Experience Program include poultry as main focus
  • FFA Activities:
    • Regional FFA Career Development Events (UW-Platteville, Janesville, Marshfield etc.) – Poultry Evaluation or Veterinary Science (each contest counts as one activity)
    • State FFA Career Development Events – Poultry Evaluation or Veterinary Science
Rabbits
  • 2/17/2024 (RESCHEDULED DATE) Small Animal Education In-person Meeting (Small Animal Market Sale, Cavy, Poultry, Rabbits) – 4-H Office from 9:00-11:00am (click link for details)

  • 3/9/24 Badger Rabbit Breeders Association Show – Jefferson, WI (click link for details)
    • Alternative rabbit and cavy education opportunity - Youth can show a rabbit or cavy in the Badger Rabbit Breeders Association Show (information in link above) in Jefferson, WI to receive education credit. Youth need to receive a remark card stamped by the judge if they will use this for Dane County Fair education credit.
    • A Rabbit Show is an amazing opportunity to learn more about your breed or different breeds, but also have a chance to get a pet or show a quality rabbit of your choosing! These rabbits will come from respectful breeders most with pedigrees. This show will be your last chance to shop around for your fair rabbit or new breeding stock before April 15th. This show gets very packed with breeders and rabbits that sell like hotcakes. Make sure you come early on Saturday to ensure your best chance of getting the breed you are looking for. Sunday show will be lighter due to it being specialty only. Usually, rabbits are slim pickings if any being sold on Sunday. Make sure you express that you are a 4-H member looking at rabbits and maybe would like to know more about the breed you wish to show. Again, this will be your last chance IN STATE to look around at a show to purchase your fair rabbit, pet or show quality.
  • 4/6/24 (RESCHEDULED DATE)Small Animal Education In-person Meeting (Cavy and Rabbits ONLY) – NEW LOCATION: Space Place Meeting Room in lower level (2300 S. Park Street, Madison) from 9:00am-11:00am (click link for details)
  • 4-H Rabbit Project Meeting
  • 4-H Rabbit Project Meeting Presenter
  • Open Rabbit Show – must include a remark card stamped by the Judge
  • Pet Care/Veterinary Science Class - Oregon High School - Jillian Beaty, Instructor
  • Agricultural Sciences Courses (Rabbit): High School, Technical College, or University Courses in Animal Science, Animal Production, Feeds and Feeding, Animal Housing, Veterinary Science, Livestock Evaluation or Agribusiness during the school year completed prior to the DCF
  • FFA State Proficiency Application:
    • Agriscience Research-Animal Systems*
    • Small Animal Production and Care
    • Diversified Agricultural Production* (if meat rabbits)
    • Diversified Livestock Production* (if meat rabbits)
    • Organic Agriculture* (if meat rabbits)
      *Ag Sciences instructor acknowledges Supervised Agricultural Experience Program include rabbits as main focus
  • FFA Activities:
    • Regional FFA Career Development Events (UW-Platteville, Janesville, Marshfield etc.) –Veterinary Science (each contest counts as one activity)
    • State FFA Career Development Events – Veterinary Science


2023 Approved Education Offerings

Cavy (Guinea Pig)
Poultry Rabbits

Contact the Fair Office at info@danecountyfair.com to receive approval for educational opportunities not listed.



4-H Small Animal Education Committee 4-H Small Animal Education Committee
Small Animal Market Sale Small Animal Market Sale


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