Michigan 4-H Livestock and Veterinary Science

🎉 Registration is OPEN for the 2026 Michigan State Fair 4-H & Youth Virtual Showcase, and the deadline is quickly approaching! 🎡🎨🐄
Youth ages 5–19 from across Michigan can enter for free to showcase their projects—from livestock and showmanship to art, STEM, and more! 💡🎬 Plus, participants can apply for scholarships up to $1,000! 💰
No 4-H membership required. Submit your entries by August 7!
👉 Learn more & register: extension.msu.edu/MSF4HShowcase

Save the date! Hope to see you there 🎃🍁🍀

Attention Michigan 4-H members!

Mark your calendars for a brand-new Michigan 4-H animal science opportunity that is happening on Saturday, October 31st, 2026!

Join the Michigan 4-H Animal Science Ambassador Team and Michigan 4-H animal science staff for Fall Fest! This event will encompass everything about animal science and includes sessions on the following species: dairy, beef, sheep, swine, goats, dogs, rabbits, poultry, and equine.

There will be more information and registration details available soon!

Each year, the Dr. David Hawkins Award is awarded to the overall high senior team (either 4-H or FFA) with the highest score in the 4-H and FFA Livestock Judging State Contest. This year, the award goes to the Ionia County 4-H Senior team with a team score of 1,594.
The traveling trophy was presented to the team last night during the Michigan Livestock Expo Sale-A-Bration.
Congratulations, team!

🐾🍀 Highlights from 4-H Animal and Veterinary Science Camp 🍀🐾

More than 100 youth attended this MSU Pre-College Program last week. Each session was packed full of both fun, hands-on activities and informative presentations about animal and veterinary science careers. Through these experiences, youth explored opportunities and pathways within animal science and veterinary medicine and began building the knowledge and skills they need to be Beyond Ready for their futures!

This week, more than 100 youth joined us for 4-H Animal and Veterinary Science Camp over the two sessions!
More photos of all the fun-filled activities to come!

The 2026 4-H and FFA Livestock Judging State Contest took place last week at the Farm Bureau Pavilion at Michigan State University. This year's contest saw both record temperatures and a record number of participants! Congratulations to all of our contestants!

Events like this would not be possible without our livestock providers. A big thank you to the producers who brought high-quality classes of livestock for contestants to evaluate!
Seldom Rest Farms
McKay Farms
Kruger Cattle Company
Hubbard Club Lambs
Scales Farms
Hunt Livestock
Birchmeier Show Pigs
Michigan State University Swine Teaching and Research Farm

As always, a huge thank you to our friends at Michigan State University - Livestock Judging Team for their continued partnership.

Banners by Black Label Designs

All photos from the contest can be downloaded for free! Check them out: https://morganmckay.smugmug.com/2026/Livestock-Shows/4-HFFA-State-Livestock-Judging-Contest-East-Lansing-MI

Coaches and parents of youth participating in next week's 4-H and FFA Livestock Judging State Contest:
please check your email and read the entire thing carefully! We just sent a message about some important changes to next Wednesday's contest.

Please share this post to help spread the word.
Emails were sent to those who completed the registration and put themselves as the group contact. Coaches - please forward to parents as necessary.

Coaches - don't forget!
Team forms for the 4-H and FFA Livestock Judging State Contest are due tomorrow 6/24 at 5:00pm!

4-H Animal and Veterinary Science Camp participants - check your email for details about camp!
See you in a couple weeks!

Calling all Michigan youth ages 5–19 (as of Jan 1, 2026)!
Showcase your talents in the Michigan State Fair 4-H & Youth Virtual Showcase!
✅ Free to enter by August 7, 2026
✅ Open to all Michigan youth
✅ Receive helpful feedback from judges

Explore classes like:
Livestock & animal showmanship
Still exhibits & crafts
Educational & project-based entries
Bonus: Youth ages 8–19 can apply for scholarships thanks to the Michigan State Fair Foundation!

Learn more & enter:
https://www.canr.msu.edu/virtual-showcase/State-Fair-Virtual-Showcase/