Author: Levi Berg
Planning Unit: Clark County CES
Major Program: Ag Marketing
Plan of Work: Henry County Livestock Production
Outcome: Long-Term Outcome
Due to Henry County’s topography and soil, animal production has always been strong with in Henry County. According to the 2012 Census of Agriculture, Henry County has nearly $12,277,000 in animal sales, and the average age of the farmer is 57.6 years old according to the USDA Census of Agriculture. With this knowledge, the Henry County Extension Office wanted to find ways to encourage youth to begin or stay in animal agriculture. The Henry County Extension Office decided to partner with local agricultural producers, the Henry County Chamber of Commerce, the county judge executive, 4-H and FFA member parents, and Farm Bureau representatives to form the Henry County Youth Livestock Foundation for a total of 15 committee members. The primary purpose of the Henry County Youth Livestock Foundation is to promote youth livestock and add financial incentives for showing livestock and raising livestock for 4-H and FFA members. The first action the Henry County Youth Livestock Foundation did was to hold the first Henry County Youth Livestock Auction in September 2018. This auction is for youth that participant in 4-H or FFA, showed an animal project at the Henry County Fair which met the Kentucky State Fair requirements, and obtained the necessary level of livestock education required for both 4-H and FFA. In the first year, fifteen individuals met the requirements to be able to participant in the Auction, which is the first in Henry County History. The ages ranged from 9 years old to 19 years old, and species of animals sold include beef, swine, sheep, goats, and chickens. In total, the auction brought in over $27,000 which was distributed to the kids. Another important point to make is that this auction brought in over 300 individuals to support these young livestock producers. Which the money earned, some youth have stated that they are purchasing more animals, others stated that they were using it to purchase livestock equipment such as handling equipment, and others stated that they were using the funds to invest in other agricultural enterprises. The first year of the Henry County Youth Livestock Foundation has been a success, and the Henry County Youth Livestock Foundation is planning for future auctions and other ways to encourage youth to start or stay in livestock production.
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