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
Aggieland Lamb and Goat Camp
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. The camp will be July 11-13 at the Brazos Expo Center. Registration opens March 26th at 2pm. Space is limited.
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.
There will be a two-and-a-half-day camp in San Angelo on May 9-11, 2025, and a three-day camp in College Station July 11-13, 2025.
Learn more about Texas A&M University Horse Judging Camp
Contact: Sarah Schobert
Horse Judging Clinic
Horse Judging Clinic: March 29, 2025; College Station, TX
The Horse Judging Clinic is a half-day event held each March in which youth will cover classes in western horsemanship and ranch riding. Members of the TAMU Horse Judging Team will present example set of reasons to the audience.
Register on Judging Card by March 20, 2025.
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 2025 livestock judging team. This year there will be two reasons-based livestock judging camps. Camp 1 will be June 12-14, 2025 and camp 2 will be June 19-21, 2025. Click the link below to register.
Learn more about Texas A&M University Livestock Judging Camp
Contact: Kyle Despain
Livestock Judging Clinic
Livestock Judging Clinic: March 29, 2025; College Station, TX
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.
Register on Judging Card by March 20, 2025.
Contact: Kyle Despain
Meat Judging Camp
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. The camp will be July 24-26th. Registration will open soon.
Learn more about the Meat Judging Camp
Contact: Drew Cassens
Meat Judging Clinic
March 29, 2025; College Station, TX
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.
Register on Judging Card by March 20, 2025.
Contact: Drew Cassens
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
Wool Judging Clinic: March 29, 2025; College Station, TX
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.
Register on Judging Card by March 20, 2025.
Contact: Dr. Shawn Ramsey
Additional Youth Programs
Horse Beginnings Kids Camp
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. More information about the 2025 camp dates will be available soon.
Contact: Chelsie Huseman, Ph.D.
Junior Dairy Consortium
This program covers all aspects of a dairy operation and is open for high school seniors in Erath, Comanche, and Hamilton counties to learn about the dairy careers in the dairy industry.
Contact: Jennifer Spencer, Ph.D.
Texas State 4-H Horse Show
July 20-26, 2025: 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