We need young people to enter an industry that promises a lot of hard work but not necessarily a lot of financial return. It sounds like a hard sell, yet our country won’t survive without young people willing to become the next generation of farmers. Those who decide to take on the challenge of farming have many obstacles to overcome before they can find success. Financial challenges are high on the list. Here are some lesser-known opportunities that can help aspiring farmers get a leg up in the industry.
Essay Contests
Purchasing livestock to start a herd is a huge up-front cost. Youth with a knack for writing can take advantage of essay contests offered by breed associations, private breeders, 4-H or Future Farmers of America (FFA) programs, and more. One such contest is the Youth Conservationist Program, which runs alongside the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival. Young farmers age 9 to 18 submit an essay and letters of recommendation. Selected winners receive a heritage-breed yearling ewe from a participating breeder, plus mentoring.
The chosen recipient must commit to showing the ewe at least twice, preferably once at the state fair; breeding her to a registered ram; using her fleece or giving it to someone who will; and sharing the experience and promoting the breed in a written article. With these commitments, youth are given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a quality animal, plus they learn how to help preserve the future of a rare breed.
Similarly, the Iowa Dairy Goat Association (IDGA) offers the Share-A-Kid program to their members, as well as 4-Hers and FFA students. Participating breeders donate a doeling. The recipient, in 4th through 12th grade, is chosen based on their essay, and “Spelling, content, and effort count.” The winner agrees to show the doeling and write an article sharing the experience for IDGA’s newsletter. Winners are also encouraged to help build the project by donating a doeling back to the program when funds allow.
Sponsorships
Businesses, especially local ones or those in ag sectors, may offer sponsorships to youth who are willing to promote the business through their work. Generally, a sponsor will donate a specified amount of funding to the youth, who will then advertise the business or product through whatever means is available to them. If the youth is active on social media or on a website, this could include posting ads, reviewing products, or sharing logos or other promotional materials. Youth may offer additional exposure at events and shows; for example, by using the company’s products or even placing ads on show equipment. If you go this route, make sure the business aligns with your goals and values.
While finding your way into any agricultural field is no easy task, there are ways to lessen the financial burden. If you or someone you know is looking for a way in, do a little digging into what’s around you, and you may find your start.
Youth in Ag Spotlight: Henry Pierce
Henry Pierce, a longtime 4-H member from Ohio, understands what it takes to keep agriculture in the limelight. For his 2024 4-H Service Project, Henry committed to increasing local business attendance at the annual 4-H livestock auction. He personally visited local businesses and explained the benefits of buying an animal raised by a 4-H kid. Henry emphasized that this investment would provide year-round advertisement for the businesses while also giving them the potential to connect with future employees. Every business owner or local legislator who attended the sale in-person was entered into a raffle to win two Thanksgiving turkeys, plus two to donate. Chris Glassburn, who was then a North Olmsted City Council member and is now an Ohio state representative, was the recipient, and he donated all four turkeys to a local food pantry.
Beyond his 2024 service project, Henry is heavily involved in his club, having served as president, vice president, and treasurer. His main 4-H projects include market steers, market turkeys, market chickens, and rabbits. He has led various community service activities within the club, such as making blankets for children in foster care and visiting senior citizens with the Cuyahoga County 4-H PetPALS program.
After college, Henry plans to pursue a career as a veterinarian. In preparation for that, he participated in Purdue University’s Boiler Vet Camp and Pre-College Molecular Agriculture Summer Institute, and he’s working toward becoming a veterinary assistant through Texas A&M’s veterinary sciences certificate program. This program requires the completion of 200 classroom hours and 225 clinical hours, which he’s completing under the supervision and preceptorship of veterinarian Lindsay Kostal, owner of Greystone Veterinary Hospital and Urgent Care. Henry plans to take the veterinary assistant board exam in June 2025.
Originally published in the May/June 2025 issue of Grit magazine and regularly vetted for accuracy.
