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Dairy

The 4-H Dairy Program gives youth hands-on opportunities to learn about caring for, raising, and showing dairy cattle. Through this experience, members develop responsibility, confidence, and important life skills.

As part of the larger 4-H Animal Science Program, the dairy project connects young people with real-world learning through work with animals. Other project areas include beef, goat, horse, poultry, sheep, and swine. Whether you are new to agriculture or looking to deepen your knowledge, the 4-H Dairy Program offers fun, educational experiences at every level.

Dairy Project Snapshot

Shows and Events

Tennessee 4-H members can participate in dairy shows at the county, regional, and state levels. These events are a fun way for youth to exhibit their animals, build confidence, and apply what they’ve learned in their dairy projects.

The Tennessee State 4-H Dairy Show takes place each fall at the Wilson County Fairgrounds in Lebanon during the State Fair. It features showmanship and breed classes, along with contests like Skillathon, sales talks, and graphic design.

For information about your local or regional dairy shows, contact your county Extension office.

For Tennessee 4-H State Dairy Show details and resources, click the link!

TN State Dairy Resources

Dairy Project Toolkit

Follow the links below to find some great online resources for your project.

  • Create a dairy breed ID poster – Highlight common breeds like Holstein, Jersey, and Guernsey.
  • Daily care chart – Track feeding, grooming, and health checks for a week.
  • Parts of the dairy cow – Learn and label key anatomy on a diagram.
  • Milk product scavenger hunt – Explore your fridge or grocery store to find dairy products and their ingredients.
  • Attend a local dairy show – Watch and learn how shows work and what judges look for.
  • Build a dairy budget – Estimate costs of feed, care, and equipment.
  • Compare dairy breeds – Create a chart comparing milk production, butterfat content, and temperament.
  • Explore milk safety – Research pasteurization and how milk is processed for consumers.
  • Recordkeeping project – Track milk production, feed intake, and expenses for your animal.
  • Teach a dairy workshop – Lead a session for younger 4-H’ers on showing or daily care.
  • Explore dairy-related careers – Interview a vet, nutritionist, or dairy processor and present what you learned.
  • Design a promotional campaign – Create posters or social media content promoting dairy products.
  • Conduct a dairy science experiment – Test how temperature affects milk spoilage or butter churning.

June is Dairy Month!

Since 1939, National Dairy Month has highlighted the nutritional benefits of milk and encouraged families to make dairy a part of their daily routine. Today, the tradition continues with communities, companies, and farm families celebrating in a variety of ways.

Visit the Dairy Alliance to take virtual farm tours, discover fun facts, and more!

The Dairy Alliance

Dairy Poster Contest

1. Members will make a promotional poster about milk and/or milk products using the theme designated by the sponsoring organization.

2. Poster size is 14 x 22 inches.

2. Current theme must be prominent part of poster. There will be one “Best Use of Theme” winner per county. The county agent will be responsible for determining the county winner and submitting

4. All submissions are due April. Please Check with your local extension office for the exact deadline.

5. Winning posters will be in the possession of The Dairy Alliance for one year to use for display andpromotional purposes, posters will not be returned to individuals.

6. Winners will be notified following the judging and recognized at the National Dairy Month Kickoff. The Winners County will also received $150.

1st Place

$550

2nd Place

$300

3rd Place

$200

  • Tennessee 4-H Youth Development
  • 2621 Morgan Circle, 205 Morgan Hall
  • Knoxville, TN 37996-4510
  • P: 865-974-2128
UT Extension 4-H Youth Development logo