4-H?ers trained on good production practices

Seventeen million pounds of meat are produced by Iowa 4-H?ers each year. They are significant contributors to the food industry. As 4-H food producers, it is important they follow good production practices which leads to healthy animals which leads to safe food for consumers.

Washington County 4-H requires all members who show livestock that may enter the food chain to participate in a Food Safety and Quality Assurance training. Saturday, April 25, over 110 4-H?ers paraded the Washington County fairgrounds attending six different educational sessions. Tom Miller, ISU Swine Specialist, with the assistance of Iowa State University Block and Bridle students explained the safe and proper ways to administer medicine. Each 4-H?er injected an orange with an intramuscular and subcutaneous shot. Jodi Ebert, 4-H Youth Committee member, led a hands-on biotech activity teaching the easy and quick spread of infectious diseases. Gene Mohling, ISU Region 15 Director, shared several different scenarios and youth had to decide if they were ethical or unethical situations. Suzanne Black and Brandi Dawson, 4-H Youth Committee members, led a care and handling session on how to prevent stress in livestock.

Each 4-H?er ended the morning selecting one livestock session to attend. 4-H volunteers Jayme Sieren, Macy Marek, Makenna Brinning, Ruchel Hiller, Todd Schmitz, Clara Schmitz, Matthew Pemberton and 10 ISU Block and Bridle volunteers led those sessions.

Washington County junior 4-H?ers who still need to be trained can participate in a second FSQA training on May 11 from 5:30 p.m. ? 9 p.m. at the Johnson County Extension Office. Intermediates and Seniors may take the recertification test at the Washington Extension Office by appointment before July 1. For more information regarding FSQA or getting involved with 4-H program in Washington County, please contact the Extension Office at 319-653-4811. Follow ?Washington County 4-H ? Iowa? on Facebook.

4-H?ers experienced an infectious disease simulation through a hands-on biotech activity. Only a few unidentified youth started the activity ?contaminated? and as everyone was instructed to interact/exchange drops of liquid, the disease silently and blindly spread. A test liquid was then added to each 4-H?er's vial to see if they had contracted the disease. They tried to identify where the disease came from, but could not. This activity stressed the importance of strict biosecurity measures to prevent disease.