Youth across the Upstate had the opportunity to gain hands-on instruction on all aspects of preparing and caring for a dairy heifer at the inaugural Winter Dairy Weekend at the Laurens County Agricultural Center.
The event, which was hosted by Clemson Cooperative Extension Feb. 6-7, drew 28 youth. One of the primary goals was to provide hands-on dairy learning that would spark interest and build readiness for future opportunities. For the 24 youth who owned and brought their own heifers, the weekend gave them a chance to gain valuable skills and confidence as they prepared for the upcoming show season. The four youth who borrowed heifers were introduced to dairy ownership with the hope they would be inspired to own their own someday.
“Our goal is that each participant leaves better prepared, more confident and ready to be the best version of themselves, both in and out of the ring,” said Lucy Charping, a 4-H youth development agent in the Abbeville County Cooperative Extension Office.
The educational sessions included:
- Washing and daily care
- Feeding and nutrition
- Halter breaking and proper halter fit
- Judging dairy cattle
- Fitting and clipping techniques
- Showmanship skills and ring presence
Special emphasis was placed on attention to detail, confidence and communication. In addition to technical skills, the weekend provided the participants an opportunity to build friendships, work as a team and connect with peers and mentors.
“These experiences reinforced that dairy projects are about more than cattle; they develop responsibility, leadership, teamwork and problem-solving, which are critical life skills that prepare youth for future challenges,” Charping said.
“As the very first Winter Dairy Weekend, the event established a strong foundation for future programming. We hope this experience benefited both youth and parents and sparked continued interest in dairy projects while supporting long-term youth development through hands-on learning and leadership opportunities.”
