Commodity Carnival teaches local youth about raising livestock

By: 
Michaela Kendall

GRUNDY COUNTY – This year at the Grundy County Fair, local youth lined up for the chance to participate in a fun, interactive game called “Risk Ranch,” which was being offered at the Commodity Carnival booth.
The Commodity Carnival, which is sponsored by CME Group and the National 4-H Council, is aimed at teaching youth the fundamentals of risk management in agriculture. They do this by way of a fun, interactive game called “Risk Ranch.”
The game teaches youth the components and challenges of livestock production all the way from wean to market. It consists of three activities that guide participants through the process of producing and selling livestock: growing your livestock, selling your livestock and winning a ribbon.
Along the way, participants will deal with real life setbacks, such as raising gas prices, sick hogs, broken fences and drought. The goal is beat these setbacks, take your hog to market, and sell it for a profit.
"The Commodity Carnival and Risk Ranch are invaluable tools for teaching youth everywhere key lessons on agriculture, business and the economy in an approachable and engaging fashion," said National 4-H Council's President and CEO Jennifer Sirangelo. "We've heard from volunteers and fairgoers across the country that the Commodity Carnival experience is a highlight. Our partnership with CME Group allows us the unique opportunity to connect the curiosity of the next generation of farmers with the expertise of industry leaders, to the great benefit of both." 
For the full story, see the July 28 edition of The Grundy Register.

The Grundy Register

601 G. Avenue - P.O. Box 245
Grundy Center, IA 50638
Telephone: 1-319-824-6958
Fax: 1-800-340-0805

Mid-America Publishing

This newspaper is part of the Mid-America Publishing Family. Please visit www.midampublishing.com for more information.