Perceived influences on youth in swine projects

This was a study of influences on participation in swine projects, improvement of skills in swine production, needs for information on swine, and life skills improvement. A mailed questionnaire assessing perceptions of influences was sent to two hundred randomly selected Iowa 4-H'ers with swine projects; return rate was 56%. A family farm operation and the opportunity to make money wre very strong influences on participation. Perceived improvemens in swine productions were in selling pigs and visual assessment of quality and weight. The highest needs for more information were: producing animals with certain carcass or grain characteristics, and using approved drugs to promote faster growing animals. Respondents perceived that their participation in swine projects helped them improve the following life skills: feeling better about themselves, making better decisions, increasing communication skills, developing leadership skills and coping with changes.