The purpose of the study was to identify perceptions of Indiana 4-H livestock members enrolled in beef, sheep and swine projects regarding their ability to perform project skills and develop life skills. A questionnaire was mailed to a sample of 420 4-H beef, sheep, and swine members, with a response rate of 41.9%. Members were able to accomplish project skills in the areas of sportsmanship, safety, animal grooming, and animal selection. Respondents are not as confident in their abilities related to animal health care. Members who exhibited at the state fair have higher skill levels in the areas of animal health care, animal grooming and animal selection, than 4-H members who exhibited only at the county fair. Members use the responsibility skills they developed from raising 4-H animal projects to complete homework assignments, be on time at work, and care for younger siblings. These skills are benefiting youth in school, at home, and on the job to be more dependable, confident, and qualified individuals. Conceptual Framework John Dewey is regarded as the most influential educational theorist of the twentieth century (Kolb, 1984). According to Dewey (1938), "There is an intimate and necessary relation between the process of actual experience and education" (p. 19-20). William Heard Kilpatrick, an educational philosopher and a student of Dewey, believed that education becomes involved in teaching children how to live (Tate, 2001). Kilpatrick was responsible for coining the term "project method". He argued that learning should take place in settings outside of school. Leadership of the 4-H organization wants its members to receive more from their projects than ribbons, trophies, trips, and monetary gains. More importantly, the 4-H leadership wants its members to acquire project and life skills. Many 4-H alumni attribute their success in later life to the skills they gained through the 4-H program (Lang, 2000). 4-H members enrolled in animal projects typically develop project skills such as record keeping, health care, proper drug use, ration development, and marketing (Gamon, Laird, & Roe, 1992). According to Sawer (1987), acquiring knowledge and skill are the most important aspects of successfully raising an animal. Sawer identified animal science knowledge and life skills developed by Oregon 4-H beef, sheep, and swine members. Researchers determined that knowledge acquired and experience gained in the animal science projects were closely related. More than half of the respondents indicated they had learned about: training and grooming their animals, good sportsmanship, choosing proper equipment