Southern Maryland Meats 2024 Jr. Livestock Program Now Accepting Applications
SMM Jr. Program engages kids and youth in raising livestock for quality meat production
The Southern Maryland Meats Program (SMM) is pleased to announce the application process for the 2024 SMM Junior Livestock Program is now open.
The SMM Junior Program was developed to engage young people in raising high quality meat animals adhering to SMM standards for feed, humane treatment and responsible raising practices, and to incentivize participation in the adult SMM marketing program.
The SMM Junior Livestock Program is open to kids and youth (age 8 to 21 yrs) involved in livestock production resident in Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s, and St. Mary’s counties. More than 100 youth have signed up to participate in the SMM Junior program since its inception in 2017. Eligible SMM Junior livestock projects include beef, sheep, hogs, goats, poultry and rabbits. 4-H and Future Farmers of America (FFA) members are encouraged to apply.
Criteria
- Open to youth ages 8 to 21 years
- Must be resident and raising your animals in one of the 5 Southern Maryland counties
(Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s and St. Mary’s) - Eligible livestock projects are for meat animals (beef, lamb, pork, poultry, rabbit, and goat/chevron)
Requirements
- Sign up for the Southern Maryland Meats Program, the application can be found HERE, Application Deadline: June 21, 2024
- Raise your animals in accordance with the Southern Maryland Meats Quality Standards
- *Write a one-page essay about your livestock project using the Southern Maryland Meats Standards
Benefits
- No participation fees
- Free promotional materials
- Free Southern Maryland Meats T-Shirt
- Program Completion Certificate – Pending when your animals have been sold and your essay reviewed by the SMM Marketing and Livestock Manager
- $125 ‘completer’ reward – Awarded at project completion
2024 SMM Essay Topics
To be eligible for the final Completion Award Juniors are required to submit an essay on one of four topics:
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What inspired you to get involved in livestock farming, and what do you most enjoy about it?
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Can you describe a typical day in your life as a livestock farmer, and what are some of the biggest challenges you face?
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What advice would you give to other young people who are interested in starting their own livestock farming projects?
“Southern Maryland Meats has always seen one of its missions as nurturing the next generation of livestock farmers,” commented Craig Sewell, SMM Marketing and Livestock Manager. “Through the creation of the Junior Promotion Program and as premier sponsor for the past 16 years of the Southern Maryland Invitational Livestock Expo (SMILE), SMM has a demonstrated commitment of support for the region’s future farmers.”
Applications for the SMM Junior Program must be submitted by June 21, 2024.
VIEW/SUBMIT THE SMM JR APPLICATION FORM HERE
The Southern Maryland Meats marketing program is a program of the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC), a Division of the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland.
Header Photo: courtesy of the Schmidt Family – The Farm at Glen Mary, St. Mary’s County.