Year two of the Youth Market at the Audrain County Youth Fair is hopefully going to continue to build on what 2021 started.

Created as a way to give back to those “non-traditional” FFA students, this allows those to present and potentially sell their work that is outside the livestock arena and more about creating tools that benefit people in all ways agricultural or otherwise.

“The Audrain county youth market is for youth to sell a product they have made through their project groups,” Matt Van Schyndel, who will once again assist with multiple facets of the fair, said. “We want the kids to understand cost of goods and the time it takes to make their project. Budgeting, project development, communication, and making the decision for the sale price are all key factors in this activity. 

“I would love to see a line of customers outside a kid's booth waiting to be able to take home one of their projects. The youth market is an alternative way to support our youth outside of the youth livestock, ham, and bacon sale. This event caters to those in our community who want to support our future ag leaders but who aren't interested in the big sale.”

Mexico High School FFA instructor for the past 11 years, Kendra Smith, says this market allows the student creativity flow and also sees a reward at the end of the rainbow.

“The youth market allows our young entrepreneurs to have an outlet for their products whether it be their homemade items, or they are refurbishing something,” Smith said. “Last year for the electrical project for 4-H, the kids made lamps that were one-of-a-kind that were really cool.

“They have a chance to sell their projects and make some money back while learning that skill.”

Smith added that FFA has a very agriculture kind of history, but more so today, it also is about leadership development with an emphasis on agriculture.

“These kids are producing a product that is agriculture-based, but not necessarily production agriculture,” Smith said. “They are making that product and how to market the product, put a price on it and your time and those types of skills to be successful out of their FFA project.”

Community R-6 FFA instructor Stacey French says the market is an inspiration for those who don’t get to indulge with the concept of raising an animal for sale.

“It’s a cool opportunity because over half of our chapter doesn’t have livestock – either they live inside the city limits or it’s not something their families have,” French said. “They now have an opportunity to sell some things and gives the kids more incentive to make more of those shop projects.

“The kids were pretty excited they had that opportunity too. (Prior to the market) they didn’t get that same connection with the fair that our livestock kids got.”

Last year, they had four or five kids selling in the youth market.

“I think it will be about the same,” French said. “We have some new kids this year and some that would usually do it have some conflicts.”

Smith noted the Mexico High School numbers were about the same from last year at press time, but that could likely change.

“Last year, we had a lot of kids participate between the youth market, 4-H and FFA,” Smith said. “We are still collecting registrations for this year’s market, but I feel like we have a lot of kids that are doing things. 

“I think it will be about the same size. We had about 10-15 kids last year and I think it has a bright future, especially after last year with the community support for our kids. It was cool, they made a little bit of money and it encouraged them to do it again this year.”

Of course, knowing that a potential reward for the kids’ hard work outside the arena can only aid in bringing more students into the fold.

“It’s a good recruiting tool and a good element to help them with their SAE projects and give them an opportunity to strive to win different awards,” French said. “They get a little opportunity now to earn more income and spend more time on their projects.”