DANVILLE, Ky. — In a tough economic climate, many businesses are struggling to make it, but young people here are learning to navigate the world of commerce by their involvement in 4-H.

Dr. Stephanie Blevins, a 4-H youth development specialist with the University of Kentucky (UK) College of Agriculture Cooperative Extension, said a program known as 4-H Means Business is teaching students to set up and operate their own businesses while contributing to their communities.

After seeing the program operate in a nearby county, Blevins thought the idea was so good, she wanted to get it started in her hometown in Boyle County.

Part of her enthusiasm came from the fact her daughter, Griffin, an eighth-grade student, was so interested.

The first year got off to a slow start with only three participants. But Blevins said those three started their own businesses and really practiced what they had learned. “The focus of the entire club is really about learning while doing,” she said. “Not so much about pencil and paper, sitting in a classroom setting and learning in that aspect, but really going to shows and learning by actually doing it.”

Those shows not only included 4-H events where students could set up as vendors, but other types of gatherings and events such as festivals or craft fairs. In getting started, the students were encouraged not to spend more than $50, and the project had to be a prototype juried by outside people to ensure the quality of the products and that students would have success in selling their products while maintaining the high standards of 4-H.

Blevins said the idea is to let students learn even from their mistakes, and they are shown very little before going to an event other counting out change. This allows them to see the needs for their business, even something as simple as saying “hello” to customers. “All the teaching takes place at the shows, so when a customer comes up, we’ll talk about what they would say to them to really get them engaged,” she said.

Blevins added the project allows students to learn as they go, not requiring a business plan or record-keeping. These are things the students discover along the way and once they see the need to know how much they have sold, the record-keeping follows.

“That really gets them to buy into this and gives them the power to make business decisions and how it’s operated,” she said. “It’s a concept that seems so simple, but I think so many times as adults we feel like we know what’s best and we’re going to tell you how to do it and what to do.”

Allowing the child to really develop the idea and decide for themselves seems to work better, Blevins noted. It didn’t take long for the Boyle County club to grow after other students saw the three making money and participating in activities. Today, the club has 17 members.

“We set this club up so that not only is it about going to the shows and selling and learning basic business concepts and customer service, good communication and even how to use technology, but the kids that are in it can really write their own careers in this,” she said.

One important aspect of the club is the requirement to give a portion of the earnings back to a cause or community service.

“We don’t require a fee to be in the club, but we do require that the children donate 10 percent of their profit back in some way,” Blevins said. “They can choose whatever organization or group or entity that they want to give their contribution to.”

Griffin has taken that aspect of the club to a whole new level, as she speaks to groups around the area about the need to give back. Her jewelry business, which includes unique scrabble tiles with a variety of emblems such as college logos, has taken off, allowing her to give to others in memory of a fellow 4-Her who meant a lot to her.

Kara Murphy, once a 4-H student from Lancaster, was active in showing sheep every year at the state fair. She passed away in her early twenties, but her memory lives on as Griffin gives away gifts cards to the youngest showmanship champion during the fair competition to honor Murphy and her accomplishments as a 4-H participant and mentor.

One of Griffin’s recent speaking engagements came at the Kentucky Summit on Philanthropy, where she talked to adults about the importance of giving. The summit, held annually, is part of the Kentucky Philanthropy Initiative that was created to promote and support philanthropic endeavors throughout the state. Blevins said it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for her daughter to speak to the gathering and that children have so much to teach adults if they will just listen.

Griffin said she enjoys talking about the program and how important it is to give back to a worthy cause. “I think everyone in 4-H is happy to give back to their communities because people we know give so much to us. We feel the need to give back,” she said.

Griffin added the act of giving has to start somewhere, and that by children her age doing it, it helps others see the need. She has also turned into a recruiter of sorts, when it comes to getting friends and other students involved.

“I’m always telling my friends how 4-H is a great experience and how I would love for them to join the club. It just kind of builds on itself,” Griffin said. “I feel very strongly that the things we learn, it will all help me later on in life.”

Blevins said regardless of what is ahead in a student’s career, the 4-H Means Business program teaches skills they will always be able to use. For more information about Kentucky 4-H, go to www2.ca.uky.edu/4-H