Explore the swine industry, including market hogs, breeding hogs, or both. Raise or show one or more purebred or crossbred gilts, barrows or litters.
What can you do?
In the swine project, you can learn about:
- Breeding
- Health
- Feeding
- Fitting and showing
- Marketing and careers
Project information
4-H animal science project information for adult volunteers and youth members
Animal health and biosecurity
(Google Doc)
Animal science updates
(Google Slides)
Get started with 4-H'ers in your area
- Contact your local 4-H office for more info.
Get started on your own
- Swine information sheet (posted Dec. 17, 2025) - Important to read.
- National 4-H swine activity books (for sale)
- Utah 4-H swine activities (free download)
- The Ohio State University 4-H Swine Resource Handbook (for sale)
- National Pork Producers Council
- National Pork Board
- How to read ear notches of pigs (YouTube) (Video)
- Buying animals for meat processing
Learn about swine diseases and biosecurity
Deepen your project learning with these opportunities:
Local livestock committees
You may be able to join your county 4-H livestock committee. Contact your local 4-H office for more information.
Animal science volunteer updates
4-H animal science updates webinar slides (Google Slides) - presented on April 11, 2024
Swine project resources for volunteers (Google Site)
Find training, project development committees (PDCs) and more support for volunteers on our 4-H Volunteer Resource Center site.
To volunteer with the 4-H Swine Project in your area, contact your local 4-H office.
Minnesota 4-H State Show Committee
The 4-H state fair show committee has the responsibility of providing the necessary direction and support so that 4-H animal science state shows and educational opportunities meet the needs of youth and adults.
Committee members will be selected from submitted applications on an as-needed basis.
Selections will be completed by Sept. 30. All adults selected must have completed the 4-H volunteer screening process by Dec. 1. Please note: Local Extension educators may be contacted to serve as a reference for applicants.
Fair information
What does it mean to show at the fair?
For 4-H'ers, local and state showcase events (like the Minnesota State Fair) are not just fun events. They provide youth opportunities to exhibit the knowledge and skills they've gained throughout the year– and to continue their learning.
Contact your local 4-H office to learn about local livestock showcase opportunities.
Important to know
- Swine information sheet (posted Dec. 17, 2025)
- (posted Dec. 17, 2025)
- 2026 Minnesota 4-H Animal Science Identification Requirements
- 4-H animal ID page - for all requirements and processes
- Animal science 4-H premise ID information
- Minnesota State Fair 4-H swine marketing
- State Fair Swine Information for Families
- Cloverbuds and animals
- Leasing a 4-H animal
- Basic biosecurity for tagging 4-H swine
- Keep Your Show Pig Safe
- Swine Vesicular Guidelines for Exhibition
- How to Read Ear Notches of Pigs
- Swine ID 101
- MLBA 4-H Purple Ribbon Auction information for market animal exhibitors at the MN State Fair.
- See all 4-H policies
Record keeping and evaluation
- 4-H youth record keeping. Reflect on your project and what you've learned.
- Animal science project interviews evaluation — junior level
- Animal science project interviews evaluation — senior level
- General livestock judging contest evaluation with reasons
Contact your local 4-H office for sign-up deadlines and more information about how to get started showing.
Swine exhibits can include:
- Barrows
- Market gilts
- Breeding gilts
Visit the animal ID page to see requirements for breeds, birthdate and animal ID. These are required for all swine shows (state and local).
Science of animals
Science of animals is designed to help 4-H animal project youth learn about the many dimensions of the industry.
Science of animals is offered in all livestock species in one of four topic areas:
- Animal health
- Breeding
- Production
- Other
Please note:
- Exhibits do not have to be in the same species as your livestock exhibit.
- You can win a trip in science of animals and take a livestock trip to state fair.
- You can receive housing with your county livestock delegation and help with herdsmanship, herdsmanship judging, etc.
Science of animals evaluation sheet - use for county and state fairs.
Learn more about science of animals at the state fair.
Exhibit your knowledge
What is animal ID'ing?
Animal ID is a system for identifying and tracking all animals in the 4-H animal science project areas. It is important to follow the ID requirements to ensure health, safety and fairness.
ID requirements by species and class - You must follow all of these requirements, whether you own or lease your animal.
Important ID deadlines
- Feb. 17, 2026, for market beef (beef steers, market heifers and dairy steers).
- May 15, 2026, for beef, dairy, dairy goat, dog, horse, llama - alpaca, meat goat, poultry, rabbit, sheep and swine.
Find more information on the animal science ID page.
Leasing program
We want you to be able to learn about animals, even if you don't own one. You can lease an animal. You'll gain valuable hands-on experience managing and showing animals, and you'll learn from caring adults.
For full details, see the leasing a 4-H animal page.
The 4-H member or family must complete the 4-H animal identification process, just like owned animals. This will include verifying the leasing agreement. Read all about animal ID.
Livestock Quality Assurance (LQA) training
Livestock Quality Assurance training helps youth provide excellent care for their food animals and ensures a high level of food safety to consumers. We designed it to enhance the educational experience of 4-H animal science projects.
Do you hope to exhibit with 4-H at the Minnesota State Fair? All 4-H livestock exhibitors must complete livestock quality assurance training to exhibit at the state fair.
Two training options
Youth who complete either one of these training options will receive a certificate of completion.
- A three-hour in-person workshop (LQAE) including ethics. Valid for three years.
- Youth for the quality care of animals (YQCA) - A one-hour online training. Valid for one year.
For full details, see the Livestock Quality Assurance (LQA) training page.
Reviewed in 2025