Livestock Achievement Program

The Nebraska 4-H Livestock Achievement Program is designed to promote all educational aspects of 4-H livestock projects, including selection, production, leadership, and exhibition, by recognizing youth striving to improve their livestock project knowledge and leadership. 

Members of Excellence are recognized within each 4-H livestock project area, including:

• beef
• sheep
• meat goat
• swine
• dairy cattle
• dairy goat
• rabbit
• poultry

The program consists of three levels that require 4-H members to plan and report a broad range of age-appropriate and project-related accomplishments. For each level, the Livestock Achievement Program provides a list of accomplishments from which 4-H members choose their goals.

• Juniors, ages 8-10, must submit pictures, posters, presentations, and other learning activities to receive the distinction of Junior Member of Excellence.
• Intermediates, ages 11-13, must complete 100 points worth of activities to receive the distinction of Intermediate Member of Excellence.
• Seniors, ages 14-18, must complete 150 points worth of activities to receive the distinction of Senior Member of Excellence.

At the beginning of the 4-H year, youth must apply to participate in the program. Upon acceptance into the program, participants plan what to accomplish. At the end of the 4-H year, they report on their completed accomplishments. Additionally, participants must complete their annual 4-H Online enrollment process, YQCA requirements, and project record books in order to receive a Member of Excellence distinction. 

Eligibility & Rules

• Youth must be currently enrolled 4-H members and be enrolled in the livestock project through which they plan to participate in the Livestock Achievement Program.
• Youth must be 8-18 years of age as of January 1 of the current year.
• Youth may participate as Juniors, ages 8-10; Intermediates, ages 11-13; or Seniors, ages 14-18. 
• Youth must designate at least one 4-H livestock project through which they will participate in the Livestock Achievement program. Youth may participate through any of the following project areas: beef, sheep, meat goat, swine, dairy cattle, dairy goat, rabbit, or poultry. 
• All activities must be completed during a single project year. Points received for completing activities do not carry over from year to year.
• Youth may participate in the Livestock Achievement Program multiple times and in multiple projects.
• Points for a single activity may be counted towards a single project emphasis. For example, a member participating in the program through the beef and poultry projects during a single year will need to complete separate activities for each project.

Instructions & Deadlines

1. Apply to participate in the recognition program by June 15.
2. Enroll in 4-H Online by June 15.
3. Complete Plan & Report Form and email it to 4hlivestockachievement@unl.edu by August 1.
4. Complete YQCA requirements by August 10.

Junior Member of Excellence

Ages 8-10

The Junior division of Livestock Achievement Project is designed to give youth ages 8-10 years old an introductory experience learning more about their livestock projects. There are no point values however youth are encouraged to complete the following projects:

Junior-level activity options: must complete three options:

• Participate in a community service activity.
• Exhibit an educational display, posters, or another related project at your county fair.
• Participate in a Premier Animal Science Event (PASE) contest.
• Participate in at least one state or regional clinic or workshop related to your project.
• Participate in at least one state or regional show with your project.
• Give an agricultural-related speech, demonstration, or public presentation at a county or state contest, club meeting, FFA contest, livestock Junior Nationals competition, etc.
• Complete and display a stall record sheet at the stall or cage of one animal exhibit at your local county fair and/or the Nebraska State Fair for its entirety.
• Exhibitor's Choice - must be approved and signed by your local educator. Examples include attending local producer organization meetings or banquets, shadowing or interviewing local industry professionals related to your project, highlighting your project at a local event, radio, or news interview, consulting with an industry professional about ways to improve your project, developing content for social media highlighting your project or industry, etc.

Intermediate Member of Excellence

Ages 11-13

By the deadline, participants must have successfully completed the necessary 100 points worth of activities and outline those activities in their record book. 

Intermediate-level activity options:

• Complete a project report including expense summary, profit and loss report, health records, project narrative, etc. See template. (Mandatory for all participants)
• Participate in a community service activity. (20 points)
• Exhibit an educational display, posters, or another related project at your county fair. (20 points)
• Participate in a Premier Animal Science Event (PASE) contest. (30 points)
• Participate in at least one state or regional clinic or workshop related to your project. (30 points)
• Participate in at least one state or regional show with your project. (30 points)
• Give an agricultural-related speech, demonstration, or public presentation at a county or state contest, club meeting, FFA contest, livestock Junior Nationals competition, etc. (30 points)
• Complete and display a stall record sheet at the stall or cage of one animal exhibit at your local county fair and/or the Nebraska State Fair for its entirety. (20 points)
• Exhibitor's Choice - must be approved and signed by your local educator. Examples include attending local producer organization meetings or banquets, shadowing or interviewing local industry professionals related to your project, highlighting your project at a local event, radio, or news interview, consulting with an industry professional about ways to improve your project, developing content for social media highlighting your project or industry, etc. (20 points)

Senior Member of Excellence

Ages 14-18

By the deadline, participants must have successfully completed the necessary 150 points worth of activities and outlined those activities in their record book. 

Senior-level activity options:

• Complete a project report to include expense summary, profit and loss report, health records, project narrative, etc. See template. (mandatory for all participants)
• Complete and display all stall record sheets at the stall of one animal exhibit at your local county fair and/or the Nebraska State Fair for its entirety. (20 points)
• Assist or mentor another 4-H member with their project. (20 points)
• Participate in a community service activity. (20 points)
• Plan and implement a community service activity. (20 points)
• Exhibit an educational display, poster, or another related project at your local county fair. (20 points)
• Participate in a Premier Animal Science Event (PASE) contest. (30 points)
• Participate in at least one state or regional clinic or workshop related to your project. (30 points)
• Participate in at least one state or regional show with your project. (30 points)
• Give an agricultural-related speech, demonstration, or public presentation at a county or state contest, club meeting, FFA contest, livestock Junior Nationals competition, etc. (30 points)
• Plan or help teach a clinic or workshop related to your project area. (40 points)
• Plan or significantly participate in a 4-H marketing activity or event. (40 points)
• Exhibitors Choice - must be approved and signed by your local educator. Examples include but are not limited to: attending local producer organization meetings or banquets, showing or interviewing local industry professionals related to your project, highlighting your project at a local event, radio or news interview, consulting with an industry professional about ways to improve your project, develop content for social media highlighting your project or industry, etc. (20 points)

Awards & Recognition

Those receiving Member of Excellence through the program will be recognized during the 4-H Parade of Champions at the Nebraska State Fair and will receive a cash award from the Nebraska 4-H Foundation and a special program award.