Showmanship Success: Training Youth and Volunteers
4-H and Youth Programming
Ashley Stonecipher
Agriculture and Food Systems Agent
UF/IFAS Extension
Winter Springs
Abstract
County fairs are a cornerstone of the 4-H livestock experience, yet many youth exhibitors and adult volunteers reported feeling underprepared for showmanship expectations. In response, Extension faculty developed the 4-H Showmanship Series, a pre-fair, hands-on program designed to build youth confidence and skills in animal handling and presentation while improving animal care, biosecurity awareness, and safe, ethical exhibition practices. Workshops were offered for poultry, rabbit, and goat exhibitors from five counties, including Volusia County, with 193 youth and adults participating from 2024 and 2025. Extension faculty collaborated with experienced volunteers, fair board members, and species specialists to provide instruction on animal health and management, grooming techniques, show ring expectations, safety, and proper handling. Workshops used demonstrations and guided practice to reinforce experiential learning and foster mentoring relationships. Evaluation results showed strong outcomes: 92% of youth reported they could safely handle their project animal, 87% felt more confident presenting their animals, 90% planned to practice improved biosecurity, and 77% felt more confident communicating with adults. Improved handling and grooming contributed to safer fair interactions and better animal welfare, while adult volunteers gained practical knowledge that strengthened their mentoring capacity. Building on this success, the program is planned to continue in 2026 with the addition of a cattle showmanship component, including engagement from the Junior Cattlemen’s group as peer educators. This initiative was developed, coordinated, and delivered by the Agriculture and 4-H extension agents using field office resources, curriculum design, workshop facilitation, and collaboration with community partners. The 4-H Showmanship Series provides a practical, partnership-driven model that strengthens youth skills, volunteer capacity, and overall livestock exhibition quality, and offers a framework that can be adapted in other counties to enhance youth development and fair experiences.
Authors: Ashley Stonecipher, Chelsea Woodard
-
Ashley Stonecipher Agriculture and Food Systems Agent, University of Florida, Florida, 32708
-
Chelsea Woodard 4-H Youth Development, University of Florida, Florida, 32724