There is so much to love about 4-H, the sense of community it fosters in youth, the positive hands-on learning opportunities, the fact that no matter what time of year it is there is always something to look forward to! Many of these programs we do every year, and have had available for a long time: 4-H Embryology, Summer Camp, Presentations, Horse Shows, State Fair Exhibits. This year will be our second Pamlico 4-H Dairy Calf project. We are very excited that registration is now open!
What is the Pamlico 4-H Dairy Project?
Ms. Kristi Welke, our tri-county livestock agent, worked very hard to bring this opportunity to Pamlico County again this year.
What Youth Will Learn in the Dairy Project
Our Pamlico 4-H Dairy Project will start in April, when six calves will arrive from Kooba. For the next eight weeks, our youth will learn all about dairy calf husbandry. They will have lots of hands-on experience in caring for dairy calves. They will be responsible for feeding, cleaning, and training the calves. They will learn the proper way to show a dairy heifer, the breed standards of Holstein cattle, and the most desirable traits in dairy cows. They will also learn how to show dairy calves and gain master showmanship skills and train their calves to perform.
Pamlico 4-H Dairy Show Details
Our Dairy Show will be held June 6th. A dairy show is the culmination of all the training the youth and calves have put in over the course of the project. Dairy shows combine skills, training, calf features, and final grooming.
What Happens at a 4-H Dairy Show
Calves will be bathed and clipped. This helps the calves keep cool and it also allows the calves’ features to be observed by the judge. The dairy show is about both the conformation of the calf, but also in showmanship class, it is about how much work the youth have put into mastering skills, and working with their animal. This is an awesome project, and we can’t wait for it to start.
2026 Dairy Project Registration Information
Registration is open for youth (ages 8-18) from Craven and Pamlico, North Carolina, to participate in the 2026 Dairy Project. You can complete your registration online using the 2026 Dairy Project Registration Form.
Project Details and Schedule
Registration Deadline: March 30th, 5:00 PM
Cost: $65 per child
Practices: Mondays & Wednesdays
Feed commitment: at least once per week
Show Date: June 6, 2026 in Rocky Mount, NC (attendance required)
Registration Notes for Participants
- Youth will be accepted in the order registrations are received
- Submit one registration per family and list all participating youth
- Families will be contacted with additional information after registering
Additional Pamlico 4-H Spring Programs
Our Dairy project isn’t the only exciting 4-H Program that has been going on this spring.
Coastal Plains Chicken Project
4-Hers are also raising chickens for the Coastal Plains Chicken Project. Youth are working with their chicks so that on the day of the show, their chicken is calm and easily handled. During the show, chickens will be shown off using several different poses during the show to exhibit the chicken’s wingspan, keel, feet, and tail.
Chopped: International Cooking Days
We also have two more Chopped: International Cooking days coming up. We will learn about food safety, nutrition, and explore foods from around the world. We will also learn about the culture of the country we are making food from.
4-H Presentations and District Activity Day
We are also excited to start 4-H Presentations! Youth will be researching, writing, and presenting their presentations at our Southeast District Activity Day.
How to Register and Learn More
Ready to join? Complete your registration now using the 2026 Dairy Project Registration Form.
If you would like a little more information, or have questions about registration, please give us a call. You can also sign up for our email list! You can also get a head start on registration for specific programs by enrolling in Pamlico County 4-H Online. If you have any questions about accessing 4-H Online or the enrollment process, please give us a call and we will be happy to walk you through it.
To learn more about all 4-H programs in Pamlico County, contact Kait Neeland at (252) 745-4121, or kait_neeland@ncsu.edu. Don’t FORGET to REGISTER–spaces will fill up!!
