Success StoryInvesting in our Youth



Investing in our Youth

Author: Dana Anderson

Planning Unit: Mercer County CES

Major Program: Agriculture

Plan of Work: Agriculture & Environment Education for Youth

Outcome: Long-Term Outcome

Youth Investment Programs

Teaching youth entrepreneurial skills is not taught in the traditional school classroom today. To equip our youth, we offered them the opportunity to sell their 4-H/FFA market livestock and country hams at Mercer County Investment in Youth Sale. The program's objectives are to learn how to engage in a contract and understand their requirements to participate in the sale. An integral part of the program is youth are creating a networking system. The participants are required to learn marketing techniques and identify potential buyers. In addition, participants learned how to network and market themselves by approaching potential buyers and the language they should use when promoting their project. In the long term, we have equipped students with the mindset that they can be successful and more engaged and take ownership of their success. In addition, the program provided a mechanism to promote agriculture and cooperative extension and its programs to individuals outside our traditional extension clientele.

Over the year, youth not only learned the skills with their 4-H projects but also improved their personal communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and critical thinking skills. The year-long path paid off for the youth. The 2024 program involved nine livestock participants and 39 country ham youth who sold their market animals and country hams for $90,406. 

We incorporated "add-on donations" to the youth without purchasing the project due to holding a live auction. The buyer added the " add-on donations " to the total bid amount on their project; the youth received all the money. Add on option allowing individuals to support youth with a much smaller financial commitment.

 








Stories by Dana Anderson


Investing in our Youth

about 26 days ago by Dana Anderson

Youth Investment ProgramsTeaching youth entrepreneurial skills is not taught in the traditional scho... Read More


Stories by Mercer County CES


Summer Extension Open House

about 25 days ago by Tara Duty

The Mercer County Extension Council hosted a Summer Open House to increase awareness about programs,... Read More


Fort Harrod Area Officer and Chairperson Training

about 25 days ago by Tara Duty

Fort Harrod Area Extension Homemaker2024-2025Officer and Chairperson TrainingSuccessStory?Research s... Read More


Stories by Agriculture


Livestock Safety at Youth Safety Day

Livestock Safety at Youth Safety Day

about 11 days ago by Nicole Rhein

There are approximately 13, 600 head of cattle in Marshall County (USDA National Agriculture Statist... Read More


Promoting Local Farms & 4-H through the Allen County Farm to Fork Program

Promoting Local Farms & 4-H through the Allen County Farm to Fork Program

about 26 days ago by Anna Meador

Eating local isnt just a fashionable trend. By eating local farm produce and animal products, consum... Read More