The Trempealea County Poultry Project is led by the Trempealeau County Fair Superintendents for the Poultry Project. If you have questions about the project please feel free to reach out to them.
Contact Information:
The Trempealeau County Fair Superintendents for the Poultry Project led this proejct. They are Rosa Mooney, who can be reached at livabelleacres@yahoo.com, and Jeff Sonsalla, who can be reached at myhometownvet@gmail.com.
Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA):
Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) is a set of web-based modules being required for youth that are taking animals to market. It is also required to show Dairy at the State Fair. (Please note that MAQA is now called YQCA). This program will allow youth to learn about other species of animals; not just the species they show. This program allows for the consistency of information being taught to youth in all states and in all species of animals.
Starting in 2019 all poultry exhibitors wishing to take part in the livestock auction must complete YQCA.
YQCA content and modules are age-appropriate and different each year (age as of January 1): Junior (8-11), Intermediate (12-14), Senior (15-18), and Young Adult (19-21). Each year, youth complete one new module in each the following categories:
- Animal Welfare (basic needs, proper animal handling, biosecurity, etc.),
- Food Safety (medications, medicated feeds, withdrawal times, avoiding residue, etc.)
- Character Education (ethics, goal setting, career exploration, etc.)
YQCA gives families flexibility in gaining this required certification, which is more convenient to accommodate busy seasonal schedules since it is online. It’s estimated that youth will spend roughly 60 minutes completing modules each year.
Youth must complete the YQCA module for their age by July 1 to be eligible to show at the Trempealeau County Fair if it is a requirement of your project.(Refer to the Trempealeau County Fair Book to see if it is required). To complete the YQCA module or to get more information, go to https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/youthlivestock/yqca/. Cost for YQCA is $12 each year. Requests for an appointment for use of a computer/internet and scholarships are available by confidential request to the 4-H Program Coordinator.
Here are the steps to complete the YQCA online module:
- Click on “YQCA Youth Log In” link at https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/youthlivestock/yqca/. Create a login and follow the login process through purchasing a “web-based course” ($12/youth). If financial support is needed please the 4-H Program Coordinator.
- Youth must complete the appropriate course for their age (follow on-screen prompts). The youth must pass the quiz at the end. Please note that youth are allowed to go back in the module to correct responses in the quize and be successful.
- Youth must save completion certificate and submit to the Jackson County Extension Office. You can submit the completion certificate by mail to the Extension Office at ATTN: YQCA, 227 South 11th Street, Black River Falls, WI 54615. OR, submit it via email to the support staff at the Jackson County Extension Office.
It is important to note that youth certification is NOT complete until the certificate has been submitted and recieved. It is the individual youth’s responsibility to confirm receipt.
For technical support with YQCA email help@yqca.org.
