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.
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To receive credit for judging/showmanship, youth must include results.
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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.
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To receive credit for proficiency application, youth must include a copy of the proficiency.
2024 Approved Education Offerings TO COME
2023 Approved Education Offerings
Cavy (Guinea Pig)
- 1/14/2023 Cavy – Small Animal Zoom Meeting (offered by 4-H)
- 3/18/2023 Cavy – Small Animal In-person Meeting – 4-H Office
- 4/2/2023 – UW Vet Medicine – Veterinarian Event
- 4-H Cavy Project Meeting
- 4-H Cavy Project Meeting Presenter
- Open Cavy Show – must include a remark card stamped by the Judge
- Alternative ONLINE Cavy Education - for those unable to attend an approved event in person. Youth will need to watch/read a presentation and then answer a quiz. https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/dane4hyouth/files/2023/05/Small-Animal-Alternative-Education-for-DCF-Cavy-2023.pdf
Poultry
- 1/14/2023 Poultry – Small Animal Zoom Meeting (offered by 4-H)
- 1/14/2023 Meat Market Zoom Meeting (offered by 4-H)
- 3/18/2023 Poultry – Small Animal In-person Meeting - 4-H Office
- 3/18/2023 Meat Market In-person Meeting - 4-H Office
- 4/2/2023 – UW Vet Medicine – Veterinarian Event
- 4-H Poultry Project Meeting
- 4-H Poultry Project Meeting Presenter
- Open Poultry Show – must include exhibitor list and highlight youth name
- Alternative ONLINE Poultry Education - for those unable to attend an approved event in person. Youth will need to watch/read a presentation and then answer a quiz. https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/dane4hyouth/files/2023/05/Small-Animal-Alternative-Education-for-DCF-Poultry-2023.pdf
- Alternative ONLINE Small Animal Market Sale Education - for those unable to attend an approved event in person. Youth will need to watch/read a presentation and then answer a quiz. https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/dane4hyouth/files/2023/05/Small-Animal-Alternative-Education-for-DCF-Meat-Sale-2023.pdf
- 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
- 1/14/2023 Rabbits – Small Animal Zoom Meeting (offered by 4-H)
- 1/14/2023 Meat Market Zoom Meeting (offered by 4-H)
- 3/18/2023 Rabbits – Small Animal In-person Meeting - 4-H Office
- 3/18/2023 Meat Market In-person Meeting - 4-H Office
- 4/2/2023 – UW Vet Medicine – Veterinarian Event
- Pet Care/Veterinary Science Class - Oregon High School - Jillian Beaty, Instructor
- 4-H Rabbit Project Meeting
- 4-H Rabbit Project Meeting Presenter
- Open Rabbit Show – must include a remark card stamped by the Judge
- Alternative ONLINE Rabbit Education - for those unable to attend an approved event in person. Youth will need to watch/read a presentation and then answer a quiz. https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/dane4hyouth/files/2023/05/Small-Animal-Alternative-Education-for-DCF-Rabbit-2023.pdf
- Alternative ONLINE Small Animal Market Sale Education - for those unable to attend an approved event in person. Youth will need to watch/read a presentation and then answer a quiz. https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/dane4hyouth/files/2023/05/Small-Animal-Alternative-Education-for-DCF-Meat-Sale-2023.pdf
- 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
Contact the Fair Office at info@danecountyfair.com to receive approval for educational opportunities not listed.