Welcome!

We are excited that you have chose a livestock project in the Indiana 4-H Youth Development Program year! This page contains most of the information you will need to know this year. Make sure to review your club's information packet for more specifics for your project. Be sure to reach out to your club volunteers as well.

There are a lot of different ways for you to be involved on a county wide level from career development events and our Livestock Skillathon Contest held in June. We encourage you to participate in one of these great events to grow your skillset and challenge your learning.

Don’t forget to keep your email address and contact information up-to-date with our office so that you continue receiving important information. If you have any questions or need assistance along the way, please contact your club leaders or the Purdue Extension Elkhart County office at (574) 533-0554 or elkhartces@purdue.edu 

Contact Us

Purdue Extension Elkhart County
Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds
17746 County Road 34 Ste E
Goshen, IN 46528
(574) 533-0554
elkhartces@purdue.edu 

4-H Livestock Club Contacts

Click a club below to view contact information for 4-H Livestock Club leaders. Be sure to reach out to leaders for information and assistance. For additional information on livestock clubs including meeting dates, meeting locations, etc., visit the Elkhart County 4-H Clubs page.

Club Leaders:
Phil Lechlitner
574-536-4122
plechlitner@wanee.org 

Jason Nine
574-209-1000
9jasonj@gmail.com 

Club Email: elkhartcounty4hbeefclub@yahoo.com 
Best way to contact the club: Club Email or Text

Club Leader: Jade Mattson
Phone: 574-971-1204
Email: 4hcatclubelkhart@gmail.com 
Best way to contact this club: Call or email Jade Mattson

Club Leader: Stephanie Kronk
Phone: 574-312-8674
Email: strenshaw08@gmail.com 
Best way to contact this club: Call or text Stephanie Kronk

Club Leader: Ken Metzler
Phone: 574-535-3018
Email: Kdmetzler57@gmail.com 
Club Email: dfcclub@gmail.com 
Best way to contact the club: By email or phone to Ken

Club Leader: Melissa Cloud
Phone: 574-849-9872
Email: msebastiancloud@yahoo.com 
Club Email: elk4hdogclub@gmail.com 
Best way to contact this club: Personal email to Melissa Cloud

Club Leaders:
Crystal Kniesly
574-612-3519
kaprikid@msn.com 

Tyler Hunter
574-274-9982
jthunterj67@yahoo.com 

Best way to contact club: By club email
Club Email: ElkhartCty4HGoatClub@gmail.com 

Club Leader:
Lorae Smith
25202 County Road 36
Goshen, IN 46526
Phone: 574-361-4822
Email: n.I.smith981@gmail.com 
Best way to contact this club: Email, call, or text Lorae

Coming soon!

Club Leaders:
Betsy Kelly
574-361-0477
betsykelly2015@gmail.com

Tim Leer
574-238-6261
talfarm@yahoo.com 

Best way to contact this club: Phone or email to Betsy Kelly or Tim Leer

Club Leader: Valerie Jacobs
Phone: 574-354-0612
Email: poultryleader@gmail.com 
Best way to contact the club: Call or text Valerie Jacobs

Club Leaders:
Israel Stark
574-849-8823
starkiw2740@msn.com 

Tammy Stark
574-849-8824
starktl@msn.com 

Club Email: ec4hrabbitclub@gmail.com 
Best way to contact this club: By phone to Israel or Tammy, or by email.

Club Organizational Leader: Ashley King (Holdeman)
Phone: 574-354-7403
Email: ashleyholdeman4h@yahoo.com

Best way to contact the club: Phone or email Ashley King
Club email: leaders@elkhartcounty4hsaddleclub.com

Club Leader: Jerod & Megan Erb
Phone: 574-202-4440
Email: elkhartcountyswineclub@gmail.com 

Best Way to Contact Club: By club email

Animal Identification

Identification is an important part of your animal project. This will assist in making sure that you keep good records and know which animal is which. Below are the identification methods that are used by the 4-H program. Click a species below to view information that you will need to enter into 4HOnline. Please check the club deadlines at the bottom of this page and verify with your club leaders if you have questions. Visit the 4-H Online Animal ID webpage for more information. All Animal ID information will need to be completed via 4-H Online by May 15, 2027. Failure to do so will result in not being able to show.

County Required Animal Information

  • 840-RFID Tag
  • 5-digit County Tag

Additional State Required Animal Information

  • DNA Hair Sample

County Required Animal Information

  • 840-RFID Tag
  • 5-digit County Tag

Additional State Required Animal Information

  • DNA Hair Sample

County Required Animal Information

  • 840-RFID Tag
  • Tattoo

Additional State Required Animal Information

  • DNA Hair Sample

County Required Animal Information

  • 840-RFID Tag
  • Animal's registered name
  • Animal's registration number (or dam's registration number)

Additional State Required Animal Information

  • DNA Hair Sample

County Required Animal Information

  • Registered: Breed Registry Tattoo
  • Unregistered: Scrapie Tag or Tattoo

Additional State Required Animal Information

  • DNA Hair Sample

County Required Animal Information

  • 5-digit County Tag or Tattoo (Tattoo is only acceptable if the goat doesn't have ears big enough to tag)

Additional State Required Animal Information

  • DNA Hair Sample

County Required Animal Information

  • 5-digit County Tag

Additional State Required Animal Information

  • DNA Hair Sample
  • 840-RFID Tag

County Required Animal Information

  • Breed Registry Tattoo

Additional State Required Animal Information

  • DNA Hair Sample

County Required Animal Information

  • 5-digit County Tag

Additional State Required Animal Information

  • DNA Hair Sample
  • 840-RFID Tag

County Required Animal Information

  • Breed Registry Tattoo or Microchip that matches registration papers

County Required Animal Information

  • Official USDA Scrapie Tag or Official Scrapie Tattoo

County Required Animal Information

  • Two Color Pictures

County Required Animal Information

  • See poultry leader for details

County Required Animal Information

  • Tattoo, Breed & Sex

County Required Animal Information

  • 5-digit County Tag

Additional State Required Animal Information

  • DNA Hair Sample
  • 840-RFID Tag

County Required Animal Information

  • 5-digit County Tag or Official Scrapie Tag

Additional State Required Animal Information

  • DNA Hair Sample
  • 840-RFID Tag

County Required Animal Information

  • ID that matches registration papers - A copy must be given at check-in at fair

Additional State Required Animal Information

  • DNA Hair Sample
  • 840-RFID Tag

County Required Animal Information

  • 840-RFID Tag
  • Ear Notch

Additional State Required Animal Information

  • DNA Hair Sample

Quality Assurance Program Requirement

All 4-H youth that are exhibiting the following will need to complete the Indiana 4-H Quality Livestock Cares program or Youth for Quality Care of Animals program: Beef, Dairy Feeder, Dairy, Lamb, Swine, Goat, Poultry and Rabbits. This program will allow the youth to learn more about their role in food animal production, food safety, animal care, and how to use the life skills they learn from their projects.

The Indiana 4-H Livestock Quality care program will only be offered in person and is free. You will need to pre-register for the classes in 4-H Online: https://2026-27QLC.4honline.com 

An online option is also available through the Youth for Quality Care of Animals program. This program is available on the YQCA site and is $12.00. If you choose to complete the online training, you must submit a copy of your completion certificate to Brandy Cavanagh at the Purdue Extension Elkhart County office in person or by emailing bcavanagh@purdue.edu 

The requirement will need to be completed by June 15, 2027 in order to be able to show at the Elkhart County 4-H Fair.

Session Dates & Times

  • Monday, February 1, 2027 @ 6:00pm at the Sheep/Swine Arena (prior to Lamb Club meeting)
  • Monday, February 15, 2027 @ 6:00pm at the Sheep/Swine Arena
  • Monday, March 1, 2027 @ 6:00pm at the Sheep/Swine Arena (prior to Lamb Club meeting)
  • Monday, March 15, 2027 @ 6:00pm at the Sheep/Swine Arena
  • Saturday, March 27, 2027 @ 10:00am at Ag Hall
  • Tuesday, April 6, 2027 @ 6:00pm at ECCC - Room A
  • Tuesday, April 20, 2027 @ 6:00pm at Sheep/Swine Arena
  • Tuesday, May 4, 2027 @ 6:00pm at Fair Board Room
  • Tuesday, May 18, 2027 @ 6:00pm at Fair Board Room
  • Tuesday, June 8, 2027 @ 6:00pm at the Sheep/Swine Arena (prior to Swine Club meeting)

Animal Information

What is a Premises ID?

 If you are planning to show livestock (excluding rabbits, cats, dogs, and horses), it is important that you obtain a Premises ID number from the Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH). A Premises ID is a unique number assigned to the place where your animals are kept. This is part of the national animal traceability program, and allows for tracking and movement of animals. This is important for animal health and safety. You will have to have this information with you when you ID your animal for the 4-H program. Premises ID numbers are free, and easy to get. You can obtain yours by visiting BOAH’s website or by calling 877-747-3038. 

What is 4HOnline?

4HOnline is our web-based data management system. This is where you sign up, get project information, and Animal ID information. This allows the Purdue Extension office and 4-H Club leaders to generate reports and other items that they need to inform you of events, and project information. You as a 4-H family can read our newsletters, update your contact information and sign up for events using the 4HOnline system. It is important if you move, or change a phone number or email address that you update that information in your family profile.

What is FairEntry?

FairEntry is our data management system for items related to the fair. This system is where classes are selected, auction information is generated, and show programs are managed. All 4-H Livestock members will need to log into this system using their 4HOnline profile to place their animals into their proper classes, sign up for showmanship and other club events. It is important that you complete this information when you receive the instructions at the end of May. Not completing this information makes the fair check in process take longer.

Health Forms

Cats and dogs that will be used for the 4-H program are required to have vet sheets on file. This is for the safety of the animals and the 4-H members. These forms will need to be turned in before the animals can be brought to meetings and trainings. To get a copy of the forms you can go to the following links or hard copies will be available from Purdue Extension or your 4-H leader.  Please be sure to read over the forms and complete the appropriate information. Choose your project below for vaccination forms.

View, download, or print a Cat Vaccination Form.

View, download, or print a Dog Vaccination Form.

View, download, or print a Horse Vaccination Form.

View, download, or print Animal Lease Agreement Form.

View Lease Form

View, download, or print Animal Lease Agreement Form.

View Lease Form

Club Specific Information

Each species of livestock may have different requirements for IDs and other information. Dates for each can be found below under every species. Please check with the volunteers of your 4-H clubs to make sure that you have the most current information.

Beef

  • 12/13/25 - Tagging Day - 9-12 pm Shipshewana Barn
  • 2/21/26 - Tagging Day - 9-12 pm Shipshewana Barn
  • 5/15/26 - Animal ID completed in 4HOnline V.2 - https://v2.4honline.com/ 
  • 5/22/26 - FairEntry opens - www.fairentry.com 
  • 6/15/26 - YQCA/IN 4-H QLC completion deadline
  • 6/25/26 - FairEntry completion deadline

Cat

  • 5/15/26 - Vaccination papers due to club
  • 5/22/26 - FairEntry opens - www.fairentry.com 
  • 6/25/26 - FairEntry completion deadline

Dairy, Guernsey and Jersey

Dairy Feeder Calf

  • 5/2/26 - Tagging Day - 7-10:30 am Dairy Feeder Barn
  • 5/15/26 - Animal ID completed in 4HOnline - https://v2.4honline.com/ 
  • 5/22/26 - FairEntry opens - www.fairentry.com 
  • 6/15/26 - YQCA/IN 4-H QLC completion deadline
  • 6/25/26 - FairEntry completion deadline

Dog

  • 3/24/26 - Vaccination papers due to club for new members
  • 3/31/26 - Vaccination papers due to club for all but new members
  • 5/22/26 - FairEntry opens - www.fairentry.com 
  • 6/25/26 - FairEntry completion deadline
Goat
  • 4/25/26 - Tagging Day - Goat Barn
  • 5/2/26 - Tagging Day - Goat Barn
  • 5/15/26 - Animal ID completed in 4HOnline - https://v2.4honline.com/ 
  • 5/22/26 - FairEntry opens - www.fairentry.com  
  • 6/15/26 - YQCA/IN 4-H QLC completion deadline
  • 6/25/26 - FairEntry completion deadline

Lamb

  • 5/7/26 - Tagging Day - starts at 5pm, Lamb Barn
  • 5/9/26 - Tagging Day - starts at 7am, Lamb Barn
  • 5/15/26 - Animal ID completed in 4HOnline - https://v2.4honline.com/ 
  • 5/22/26 - FairEntry opens - www.fairentry.com  
  • 6/15/26 - YQCA/IN 4-H QLC completion deadline
  • 6/25/26 - FairEntry completion deadline

Poultry

  • 4/1/26 - Ownership deadline for non-commercial birds
  • 5/22/26 - FairEntry opens - www.fairentry.com 
  • 6/15/26 - YQCA/IN 4-H QLC completion deadline
  • 6/25/26 - FairEntry completion deadline
  • 7/11/26 - Exhibition bird banding 7am-1pm, Pullorum testing; No call ducks, pigeons or guineas
  • 7/18/26 - REQUIRED: Commercial bird banding, EXCEPT turkeys 7am-1pm
  • 7/23/26 - Poultry check-in - 12pm-7pm


Rabbit

  • 5/15/26 - Animal ID completed in 4HOnline - https://v2.4honline.com/ 
  • 5/22/26 - FairEntry opens - www.fairentry.com 
  • 6/15/26 - YQCA/IN 4-H QLC completion deadline
  • 6/25/26 - FairEntry completion deadline

Saddle

Swine

  • 5/2/26 - Mandatory Tag & 1st Vaccination Day - 7am-11 am
  • 5/16/26 - Mandatory 2nd Vaccination Day - 7am-10 am (Tag/Vaccine Days - Gate 4, Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds)
  • 5/15/26 - Animal ID completed in 4HOnline - https://v2.4honline.com/ 
  • 5/22/26 - FairEntry opens - www.fairentry.com 
  • 6/15/26 - YQCA/IN 4-H QLC completion deadline
  • 6/25/26 - FairEntry completion deadline

Outstanding Livestock Exhibitor Program

Did you know that by participating in Showmanship and the summer Livestock Skillathon contest you are automatically entered into the Outstanding Livestock Exhibitor Program? This is a way to highlight the knowledge of our 4-H members and their hard work. On the last Saturday of fair we will have our awards program for both the Outstanding Livestock Exhibitor Program and the County Livestock Skillathon Contest. We hope you will join this great program!

Indiana State Fair Information

The Indiana State Fair is a great way to showcase 4-H livestock projects from around the state. Many families have a tradition of going down every year to show and make new friends. The State Fair may have some different rules and animal ID requirements than we do in Elkhart County. Note that animals and/or products sold in place of that animal are not eligible to show at the Indiana State Fair that same year. Most of their livestock deadlines are June 1st. More information can be found at the Indiana State Fair website.
Indiana State Fair Website