Quality Counts

The purpose of this site is to provide resources to County Extension Agents and
Agricultural Science Teachers who are implementing the Quality Counts Program.


4-H and FFA working together to enhance the educational opportunities for youth to ensure the wholesomeness of food products produced through youth livestock programs

 Relevance. Texas has the highest participation totals in 4-H and FFA livestock projects in the country. In 2000, there were over 70,000 market entries for steers, swine, meat goats, and lambs across the state (Boleman, Howard, Smith, & Couch, 2001). These figures have continually climbed over the last decade and into the new millennium. Thus, Quality Counts in Texas has been developed for 4-H and FFA members who participate in these livestock project areas.

Quality Counts in Texas is a new program for 4-H and FFA youth across Texas that exhibit livestock projects. This includes such market and breeding projects as beef cattle, sheep, swine, and goats. The purpose of Quality Counts in Texas is to provide an opportunity for youth across Texas to learn personal character attributes and acceptable livestock management practices associated with these projects. This unique combination of subject matter should result in the exhibition of the highest quality livestock projects by youth with unsurpassed character and ethics. Ultimately, this program will be an integral part of the junior livestock program. This will eventually lead to a safer, more wholesome nutritious product that is fed by responsible youth of Texas who are dedicated to providing the best meat products for consumers.

Overall Objectives of Quality Counts:
To implement Quality Counts in Texas, three major objectives have been defined to ensure the most effective programming efforts are being carried out in 4-H clubs and FFA chapters across Texas. These objectives are:

  • 1. Develop a strategy for enhancing character education for Texas youth participating in 4-H and FFA livestock project work;
  • 2. Ensure all 4-H and FFA livestock projects meet all food quality standards; and
  • 3. Promote a positive image (both internally and externally) of youth livestock programs.

Two Targeted Programs. In developing a comprehensive educational program to address new landowner issues in the South Region it will be imperative to target the audience where educators can capitalize on the specific characteristics of the audience. In order to effectively address this issue a three tiered educational program approach will be implemented.

  • Tier 1 Quality Counts Program (Knowledge) - This educational approach will target the youth and adult population that are interested in livestock exhibition. The eight core concepts will be taught toward a knowledge based outcome. The eight core concepts include:
    • Six Pillars of Character
    • Purpose of 4-H/FFA
    • Purpose of Livestock Projects
    • Decision Making/Goal Setting
    • Impact of Livestock Projects on Red Meat Industry
    • Responsibility of Producing a Safe Product
    • Medication Use/Reading and Following Labels
    • Animal Care and Well-Being

  • Tier 2 Quality Counts Program (Behavior)
  • This educational approach will target the youth and adult population that are interested in livestock exhibition. The eight core concepts will be taught toward a behavior change based outcome. The eight core concepts include:
    • Six Pillars of Character
    • Purpose of 4-H/FFA
    • Purpose of Livestock Projects
    • Decision Making/Goal Setting
    • Impact of Livestock Projects on Red Meat Industry
    • Responsibility of Producing a Safe Product
    • Medication Use/Reading and Following Labels
    • Animal Care and Well-Being

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For comments and questions about this site contact
qualitycounts@.tamu.edu