What is Small Animal Field Day:
An opportunity for 4-H members of all ages to come together to learn about the different small animal species, showmanship, housing, and medallist testing.

Who is in Charge:

• County Small Animal Chairperson and committee project chairs
• The committee will be comprised of 1/3 youth and 2/3 adult volunteers 

When:

• 4-6 weeks before the county fair.
• Usually 3 hours long, ending around noon.   

What to do:

• Try to have every small animal species represented in some exhibit.
• 1 year in advance
  • Contact youth advisor to select date
  • Reserve rooms that are wheelchair accessible.  When reserving facility, obtain a lease agreement (if not already in place) and submit to YDA for processing.
  • Notify Council Vice President of date to place on calendar.

• 6 months in advance:
  • Begin publicity
  • Recruit youth to help and begin holding committee meetings

• 3 months in advance:
  • Continue publicity
  • Develop budget and check figures with Council treasurer
  • Order tables and chairs
• 1 month in advance:
  • Publicize specific time, location, directions, and activities of the event in the Timely Topics.  Monthly deadline is the 15^th. 
  • Meet with committee
  • Confirm facility

• 1 week in advance:
  • Re-confirm facility
  • Check with committee that all activities are taken care of

• Day of:
  • Set up 1 hour before participants arrive
  • Assign locations for different activities
  • Welcome participants
  • Answer questions
  • CLEAN UP afterwards

• 1 week after:
  • Update the binder for the following year
  • Send thank-you cards to all that volunteered for the committee and event

Sample Publicity Ideas:

• Report at County Council Meeting/Executive Board meetings
• Send information in county club packets
• Advertise in the Timely topics
• Volunteer to attend club meetings and report
• Promote the event and encourage members to attend and participate

Sample Exhibits:

• Judging contest
• Project videos or demonstrations
• Showmanship Advice
• Individual Presentations
• Posters on feeding/housing/animal care
• Veterinarian talks