The Youth Livestock Show Ethics and Animal Care Workshop is designed to educate students of the mandatory procedures and requirements that will be in effect for the Florida State Fair. Certifications are valid for three (3) Fair seasons, not 3 calendar years.
The Florida State Fair, along with some County Fairs throughout the State of Florida, believes that every youth exhibitor should receive proper training and information for raising and showing a youth animal project. With this in mind, the Youth Livestock Show Ethics and Animal Care Training Program was developed.
We are continuously adding additional workshops to our google doc linked on this page so please check back regularly for updated information and dates.
Many Fairs throughout the State are now requiring exhibitors to attend a training workshop. Check the rules, for the Fair you are attending, to see if it is required. This program has been endorsed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the University of Florida, Institute of Flood and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS). Due to the COVID-19 situation, the expiration date for the 2018 Certifications will be extended until May 2021. For the 2020/2021 Fair Season, Certification Numbers starting with 18, 19, 20, and 21 are valid.
It is important that the exhibitors understand the purpose of youth livestock projects and importance of ethics in youth livestock projects. Proper animal handling and management practices are the core of all successful livestock projects. This workshop also educates students on the difference between animal welfare and animal rights and to become an ambassador for animal agriculture.