2025 Halifax County Dairy Calf Project
No livestock ownership or previous livestock experience is required!
The Dairy Calf Project starts April 12, 2025 and concludes with the Northeast 4-H Dairy Show June 1, 2025 at the East Carolina Livestock Arena in Rocky Mount. All youth ages 8-18 in Halifax County are eligible for the project with current 4-H Online enrollment.
ENTRY FORM
WHAT IS A DAIRY CALF PROJECT?
A 4-H dairy calf project is a hands-on youth development program where youth are responsible for working with a dairy calf, learning about proper care, nutrition, health and showmanship while gaining valuable life skills that include responsibility, decision-making, and communication,
REQUIRED ORIENTATION MEETING:
The required orientation meeting will be at 6:30pm on March 25th at the Halifax Ag Center. This meeting will go over guidelines for the project and for the show and to learn about working with the calves.
LOCATION:
The Project’s calves will be housed at Iles Cattle Farm, 241 Dairy Road in Littleton for the duration of the project and where all practice sessions will be held. (A big thank you to our host farm!) You must provide transportation to and from each practice for your child.
COST:
There will be a $40 entry fee per child payable to Halifax County due by April 5th
TIME COMMITMENT:
This is an eight week project that will meet on Saturdays starting April 12th from 9:00am to 10:30am to work with their calves. If the participant has more than two unexcused work day absences, they will be unable to show their animal at the show on June 1, 2025. Space is limited to only 12 participants (based on order of registration/age), so please be sure you understand the commitment you are making when you register for this project!
IMPORTANT DATES:
Mandatory Orientation w/ Pizza dinner
March 25, 2025 6:30pm at the Halifax Ag Center, 359 Ferrel Lane in Halifax
Practice at Iles Cattle Farm, 241 Dairy Rd in Littleton 9am-10:30am
April 12 May 10
April 19 May 17
April 26 May 24
May 5 May 31
Northeast 4-H Dairy Show
June 1, 2025 at the East Carolina Livestock Arena in Rocky Mount - We welcome all family and friends to join us!
ELIGIBILITY:
Youth between 8 to 18 years old on January 1, 2025 will be eligible to participate.. Youth must be a member of 4-H in Halifax County and must also be enrolled in 4-H Online.
The breakdown of age categories is as follows:
Juniors: 8-10 by Jan. 1, 2025
Intermediate: 11-13 by Jan. 1, 2025
Senior: 14-18 by Jan. 1, 2025
PROJECT RECORD BOOKS:
4-H Project Records are intended to provide participants with documentation of their progress towards a successful conclusion on show day. It is highly recommended that participants and their parents take the time to photograph and keep a diary of the activities and events as they occur. All this effort is geared towards providing youths with a meaningful, enriching experience to help them grow as individuals and gain confidence among peers. Record book preparation will not only help the youth develop excellent record keeping skills, but will serve as an interesting record of the youth's experiences. Completion of Project Record Books are required. No youth ages 8-18 will be permitted to show without turning in a completed project record book on show day, June 1, 2025.
DRESS
Workdays: For project work days, participants must wear long pants and closed toed shoes, preferably boots. There is a high probability that participants' clothes will get dirty, so dress accordingly. Workdays will be held rain or shine as we have shelter to work in!
Show: The dress code for the show while in the ring will be white polo shirts and khaki pants.
Any questions can be directed to Beth Burchell, Livestock Agent
at (252) 583-5161 or beth_burchell@ncsu.edu.
