Animal Science Youth Programs
The Department of Animal Science offers an array of youth programs designed to engage and educate young enthusiasts about animal science. These programs include interactive clinics, hands-on workshops, and immersive camps that provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of animal science and competitive judging skills. Tailored to inspire the next generation, our youth programs offer a unique blend of theoretical knowledge and practical skills. By participating in our clinics, workshops, and camps, young individuals gain valuable leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills, while growing their knowledge of animal science.
Competitive Judging Camps/Clinics
Aggiefest Horse Judging Clinic
Aggiefest Horse Judging Clinic: November 2, 2024; College Station, TX
Join the TAMU Horse Judging Team at Aggiefest for an educational horse judging workshop. The clinic will cover English, Western and Halter classes, including evaluation of live classes, as well as reasons format and presentation. Members of the TAMU Horse Judging Team will present example set of reasons to the audience. More details will be available soon.
Register at judgingcard.com
Contact: Sarah Schobert
Aggiefest Livestock Judging Contest
Aggiefest Livestock Judging Contest: November 2, 2024; College Station, TX
Each year, the Texas A&M Livestock Judging Team hosts a competitive contest for FFA and 4- H students across the state during Aggiefest. Participants aged eight and up compete in eight classes as well as in a questions division. Awards are given to the top competitors in each age and species division. More details will be available soon.
Register at judgingcard.com
Contact: Kyle Despain
Aggiefest Meat Judging Contest
.Aggiefest Meat Judging Contest: November 2, 2024; College Station, TX
New for 2024!! The Texas A&M Meat Judging Team will host a competitive contest for FFA and 4- H students across the state during Aggiefest. More details will be available soon.
Register at judgingcard.com
Contact: Jennifer Wyle
Aggiefest Wool Judging Clinic
Aggiefest Wool Judging Clinic: November 2, 2024; College Station, TX
Join the Texas A&M University Wool Judging Team during Aggiefest! More information will be available soon.
Register at judgingcard.com
Contact: Shawn Ramsey, Ph.D.
Aggieland Lamb and Goat Camp
July 12-14, 2024: Bryan, TX
Held each July, the Aggieland™ Lamb & Goat Camps are designed for youth lamb and goat exhibitors and their parents. The three-day conference includes information on youth goat show programs, feeding, showmanship, show preparation, etc., and features some of the state’s leading experts on junior meat goat and lamb competitions.
Learn more about Aggieland Lamb and Goat Camp
Contact: Shawn Ramsey, Ph.D.
Horse Judging Camp
The Horse Judging Camp is a three-day event in which youth, ages 10-18, will be instructed in judging performance and conformation classes along with giving oral reasons.
Learn more about Texas A&M University Horse Judging Camp
Contact: Sarah Schobert
Horse Judging Clinic
Horse Judging Clinic: College Station, TX
The Horse Judging Clinic is a half-day event held each March in which youth will cover classes in rail (western pleasure, hunter under saddle) and reining.
View more information here.
Contact: Sarah Schobert or Jennifer Zoller, Ph.D.
Livestock Judging Camp
The Livestock Judging Camp is designed for 4-H and FFA members interested in building their knowledge of evaluating market and breeding animals, including beef, swine, sheep, and goats. The reasons camp focuses on selection principles, oral reasons, live market evaluation, and breeding animal performance data. Any 4-H and FFA member is welcome to attend. Instructors include Texas A&M faculty and staff, and members of the 2023 livestock judging team.
Learn more about Texas A&M University Livestock Judging Camp
Contact: Kyle Despain
Livestock Judging Clinic
The Livestock Judging Clinic is a half-day event designed for 4-H and FFA members interested in building their knowledge of evaluating market and breeding animals, including beef, swine, sheep, and goats.
Learn more about Texas A&M University Livestock Judging Clinic
Contact: Kyle Despain
Meat Judging Camp
July 18-20, 2024: College Station, TX
The Meat Judging Camp is a 2 ½ day program dedicated to teaching sponsors and students the fundamentals of evaluation, selection, and grading of beef, pork, and lamb carcasses and cuts.
Learn more about the Meat Judging Camp
Contact: Jennifer Wyle
Meat Judging Clinic
The Meat Judging Clinic is a half day clinic held in March, hosted by the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Meat Judging Team, and department faculty and staff. All classes including grading and retail ID will be available for viewing in various locations throughout the Rosenthal Meat Science and Technology Center.
Learn more about the Meat Judging Clinic
Contact: Jennifer Wyle
Online Horse Judging
This course is designed for youth and collegiate horse judging team members, their coaches, and anyone interested in learning more about horse judging. Learning objectives include understanding the rules for each class, applying the judging guidelines to each class, and learning to articulate placings during oral reasons.
View more details and purchase the Online Horse Judging course at AgriLife Learn.
Contact: Jennifer Zoller, Ph.D.
Wool Judging Clinic
The Wool Judging Clinic is a half-day clinic held each March hosted by the Texas A&M Wool Judging Team. The clinic is set up in a typical 4-h/FFA wool judging contest.
Contact: Dr. Shawn Ramsey
Additional Youth Programs
Horse Beginnings Kids Camp
June 14-15, 2024: College Station, TX
June 21-22, 2024: College Station, TX
The Texas A&M Horse Beginnings Kids Camp is perfect for kids ages 9-12 with no horse experience. Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity for your child to learn and have fun.
Register for the June 14-15 camp here.
Register for the June 21-22 camp here.
Contact: Chelsie Huseman, Ph.D.
Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course Youth Track
August 5-7, 2024: College Station, TX
The Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course is a highly respected nationally and internationally recognized program. It is the largest attended beef cattle educational program of its type in the world, and is the focal point for beef cattle educational information. This year’s event brings back the youth track for the first time since 2019.
Learn more and register at beefcattleshortcourse.com.
Contact: Jason Cleere, Ph.D.
Texas Sheep and Goat Expo Youth Program and Skill-a-thon
August 17, 2024: San Angelo, TX
The Youth Program and Skill-a-thon will feature hands on learning from industry experts. Skill-a-thon topics include: Skill-a-thon skills and contest, ultrasound, genetic selection and Mohair judging.
Learn more and register here.
Texas State 4-H Horse Show
July 21-27, 2024: Bryan, TX
Over 350 4-H youth plus their families attend the show from all over the state of Texas. The Texas State 4-H Horse Show is the pinnacle of the 4-H horse project and offers many opportunities to 4-H youth including up to 40 classes of competition, educational programs, scholarships, and college preparation opportunities.
Learn more here.
Contact: Chelsie Huseman, Ph.D. or Jennifer Zoller, Ph.D.
Veterinary Science Certificate Program
Training and programs in the area of veterinary science are offered to youth through the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Veterinary Science Certificate Program, VSCP. The VSCP hosts a variety of events, workshops and more for a range of youth audiences with an interest in veterinary science.
Learn about the VSCP program and upcoming events here.
Contact: Nikki Boutwell or David Sessum