4-H Livestock Judging Team is a 4-H Special Interest (SPIN) Club that focuses on judging beef, sheep, and swine. The members work as a team to gain knowledge in these project areas, develop their critical thinking skills, and make connections across the state. For some, the skills lead them to college scholarships and careers.
No matter their career aspirations, the knowledge, skills, and connections youth gain are beneficial throughout their lives. Youth learn:
- Effective oral communication techniques and how to defend their placing of each class of animals.
- Eye contact while presenting their reasons is another skill learned in this club.
- Confidence brings out the best abilities of timid members, while fostering a friendly rivalry during competition.
The SPIN club meets at local farms where they observe animals while learning what characteristics to look for in each species and practicing judging classes. Then they travel to judging contests throughout the state to put their skills to the test. The members have a limited amount of time (10 to 12 minutes) to observe, take notes, and determine their rankings. Members also give oral reasons to back up their decision for placing each livestock class.
In this Extension four-county unit, we also have a Livestock Judging Team established in Fulton County.
To learn more the program in Peoria County, contact Kristi Smith, Peoria 4-H program coordinator, 309-685-3140.