4-H and FFA Youth Attend Food Safety Workshop
Contact: Mick Livingston
Colorado State University Extension
719-346-5571
mick.livingston@colostate.edu
It’s often what’s for dinner. Ultimately all 4-H livestock projects end up on a consumer’s plate as food. Producing a safe and wholesome product is a primary goal of the Colorado 4-H Meat Quality Assurance (MQA) program. 4-H youth development agents, agricultural educators and county fair personnel have determined that it is critical that all youth know and understand industry standards and safe practices in the production of livestock for food so that they can comply with those regulations. The MQA program was designed to make members aware of the issues involved in livestock production, including animal welfare, food safety, consumer protection and the environment. Many fairs require this for all youth livestock members as well.
Local 4-H and FFA members attended a highly interactive, hand-on workshop in Akron on April 3. There youth discovered a wealth of scientific information through multiple activities, including identifying livestock by retinal scan, ear notching and tagging a facsimile of their livestock. Other activities bolster understanding of medicine labels and proper storage, feed safety and feeding, injection sites and record keeping.
“We know from research that youth learn and retain more knowledge when they are actively engaged in activities,” says livestock and 4-H youth development Extension agent Mick Livingston. “Over the past three years we have been developing activities that present the materials in a manner that youth 8-18 enjoy and in which they can become involved.”
Small models show the right and wrong way to handle and care for livestock. Realistic animal models allow for teaching injection techniques and procedures. Electronic picture frames give audio and visual presentations developed to help with the standardization of materials in each participating county.
“The youth Meat Quality Assurance Training in Akron was 4-H at its best,” says Gisele Jefferson, Golden Plains Area family and consumer science and 4-H Extension agent. “People lingered and visited and enjoyed the evening.”
Funding for the program was provided by a CSU Extension Innovation Grant, the CHS parent company of M&M Cooperative, The Colorado Beef Board and Colglazier Livestock.
“It’s great to see the excitement as the youth go through the various stations from feed to medications and ethics,” Livingston adds. “One of the great side benefits is to see the parent moving through the program with their family and learning along with the kids.”
Updated Tuesday, September 13, 2011
