Food
Animal Quality Assurance
Educational
Tool Kit
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Food
Animal Quality Assurance |
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Nearly one percent of the
animals produced in the United States entering the food chain are marketed
through youth livestock program auction sales — which is enough to cause
public concern if the wholesomeness of those animals has been compromised
in any way. Additionally,
these animals represent a small enough percentage of food animal
production for commercial agriculture to disown the youth livestock
program if it is not a source for quality animals. Should the youth livestock program become unable to market
its animals, the future of the program could be placed in jeopardy.
It is for this reason that food animal quality assurance must be
addressed and taught to the youth participating in these programs. Tool
Kit Components "Quality Assurance:
Strengthening the Chain of Wholesome Food Production"
Video and Facilitator Guide - This
video brings fun and entertainment to the subject of quality assurance.
When tested on a group of 200 FFA students, 99% of those who viewed
the video stated that they would watch the video again if given the
opportunity. "Line
in the Sand" Video and Facilitator Guide -
This video provides a simple test to enable 4-H and FFA members, parents,
and project supervisors to discern if a livestock showing practice is
ethical or unethical. "Learning Ethics at the
Fair" - This
interactive computer program consists of several games and activities used
to teach students about ethics and how ethics relates to livestock shows.
A teacher utility section of the program contains research papers
on the issue of ethics, vocabulary words, and a directory of complimentary
resources. "Show
Animal Care and Handling Guide" -
This reference guide, produced by the Animal Industry Foundation, provides
examples of national and regional educational programs developed to assist
youths in properly handling animals in livestock competitions. National Youth Livestock
Program Ethics Symposium Official Proceedings -
This 175 page document is filled with the presentations given at the 1996
national symposium held in Dallas, Texas.
The National Plan of Action and names and addresses of conference
participants are also contained in the proceedings.
This is one of the most used references of educators who address
this issue.
How
to Use the Tool Kit The
tool kit components can be utilized in a variety of ways to support formal
agricultural education in the classroom or in an informal setting
including: v
Reference material for 4-H and FFA students to support their
efforts in: Ø
Public speaking contests and events Ø
Demonstrations and talks Ø
Debate contests and events Ø
Reports and projects v
Curriculum for agricultural educators, extension educators, and 4-H
and FFA leaders to support educational efforts both in the classroom and
in project work. v
A formal presentation to be utilized individually for educational
meetings and association conferences. v
Training materials for new and experienced 4-H and FFA leaders,
extension educators, and agricultural educators at appropriate training
opportunities. v
A tool for relating the intricacies of food animal quality
assurance and livestock show ethics with FFA program and extension
administrators, agriculture industry representatives, and livestock show
officials. v
The key curriculum for mandatory food animal quality assurance and
livestock show ethics education training programs directed to 4-H and FFA
members and parents.
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