YQCA or Youth for the Quality Care of Animals is a national multi-species quality assurance program for youth ages 8 to 21 with a focus on three core pillars: food safety, animal well-being, and character development. YQCA is required for the following food animals, beef, dairy (cattle and goats), meat goats, market rabbits, market poultry, sheep, and swine. Rabbit and poultry students should note that ONLY meat pens require YQCA certification. If you wish to exhibit your animal at the fair, sell in the premium auction, or show at the State Fair or KJLS, you are required to have completed YQCA by July 1.
Youth can acquire certification through attending a face-to-face training OR complete online learning modules. You are welcome to do it online or attend any of the following dates:
January 3 - 11:00 AM at the Nemaha County Community Building in Seneca. January 11 - 6:30 PM at the Fair Building in Valley Falls
March 13 - TENTATIVELY 6:30 PM at NE Kansas Heritage Building in Holton.
More information will be sent out once these dates are confirmed.
To sign up for both online and in-person classes, go to www.yqcaprogram.org. Be prepared to pay the fee online after you sign up! If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Clay Roland at croland@ksu.edu or 785-863-2212.