The dates for the Washington County 4-H annual food safety and quality assurance training program have been set. The program helps youth learn the importance of quality assurance when raising market animals. To show market and breeding beef, bucket bottle, swine, sheep, dairy, meat goat, rabbit and poultry exhibitors must be FSQA certified for the Washington County Fair and the Iowa State Fair. To be certified students can take the 2-hour class or pass an exam.

Junior Members (4th-6th grade) MUST TAKE THE CLASS every year as a junior.

Region 15 (Washington, Iowa, Johnson, & Keokuk Counties) will host two training dates. Saturday, March 29 at the Washington County Extension Office from 8:30 a.m. – noon. OR Monday, April 7 at the Johnson County Extension Office from 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Choose only one to attend. All youth will participate in a variety of FSQA hands-on training and mini-show clinic sessions.

Intermediate Members (7th-9th grade )
Option 1: Take the class every year. See dates listed above.
Option 2: Take the class, then take the test. When the test is passed, you don’t have to take it again until a senior member.
Option 3: Take the test and pass. When the test is passed, you don’t have to take it again until a senior member.

Senior Members (10th-12th grade)
Option 1: Take the class every year. See dates listed above.
Option 2: Take the class, then take the test. When the test is passed, you don’t have to take it again.
Option 3: Take the test and pass. When the test is passed, you don’t have to take it again.

The tests will be available in Washington County from 8 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 29.. The test may also be taken by making an appointment with the Washington County Extension Office during business hours. Tests may be taken up until July 1. Please take care of this certification in a timely fashion to ensure county fair eligibility.

If 4-H’ers are unable to attend one of the trainings, they may attend training in another county, however, please contact the Washington County Extension Office, 319-653-4811, as soon as possible for those opportunities.