Youth business guide to success – Make the most of your 4-H market animal project curriculum teaches entrepreneurship and marketing
This MSU Extension curriculum provides unique learning opportunities for all involved in 4-H market animal projects.
According to a 2014 article in the Journal of Research on Adolescence, “Entrepreneurship offers a viable and proven pathway to economic growth and personal fulfillment.” Entrepreneurship encompasses mixing an interest or hobby with creativity and business and marketing principles. Youth entrepreneurship is growing through Michigan 4-H.
What does it cost to raise a market animal? How can raising a market animal teach positive financial management? How are presentation and marketing skills related to an animal project? Youth Business Guide to Success – Make the Most of Your 4-H Market Animal Project by Michigan State University Extension is ready to assist 4-H youth staff members, volunteers and 4-H members in answering those questions.
Youth Business Guide to Success – Make the Most of Your 4-H Market Animal Project was written with partial support from a Michigan 4-H participation fee grant. Youth ages 12-19 will benefit from 14 lessons that revolve around the following six units and learning objectives:
1. Goal Setting Unit
- Youth will create a SMART goal related to their market animal project and break down their goals into action steps.
2. Record Keeping Unit
- Youth will identify a variety of records that are kept for their market animal project, apply record keeping skills to their personal life, and explain the connection between a market animal project and a business.
3. Budgeting Unit
As a result of working through three lessons, youth will:
- Identify the basic items needed for a market animal project related to budgeting.
- Calculate percentages related to their market animal project budget.
- Prioritize items needed for raising 4-H market animals through budgeting.
- Explain the two parts of a spending plan and the difference between the financial terms income and expense.
- Be able to recognize that some decisions related to market animal projects impact future earnings.
- Create a sample budget/spending plan for their market animal project.
- Calculate a break-even point for their market animal project.
4. Communication Unit
Following five lessons focused on verbal and non-verbal communication, youth will:
- Identify written communication tools that can be used in market animal projects and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
- Identify the components of a good communications piece.
- Explain what makes a communication piece professional.
- Explain the importance of a thank-you note.
- Create a thank-you note using the seven steps to creating a good thank-you note.
- Identify a variety of communication options available through technology and utilize a technology tool in their market animal projects.
- Create and deliver a 30-second pitch.
- Demonstrate a proper business handshake.
- Explain how to dress and behave appropriately around potential buyers.
5. Marketing Unit
As a result of completing three lessons, youth will:
- Identify and generate examples of each of the five Ps in a marketing plan.
- Calculate the break-even point for their market animal project.
- Demonstrate they can develop a marketing plan.
- Explain the concepts, processes and systems needed to determine and satisfy customer needs/wants/expectations.
- Create a customer profile.
- Describe and identify various target markets.
- Explain the six market strategies and identify an advantage of each.
6. Teen Leadership Unit
- An opportunity for teens to teach younger 4-H members.
- Youth will identify the five basic needs that every animal requires and give an example of each.
Youth Business Guide to Success – Make the Most of Your 4-H Market Animal Project may be purchased at the MSU Extension Bookstore. MSU Extension and Michigan 4-H Youth Development helps to prepare young people for successful futures. For more information or resources on career exploration, workforce preparation, financial education, or youth entrepreneurship, email us at 4-HCareerPrep@anr.msu.edu.