Teens, kids encouraged to learn the ropes about business

Local farmers are hoping to encourage entrepreneurship in the next generation.

Teens like Danielle Sistrunk and children like Ruth Fagan and Ashton Newland are already on board at the River City Farmers Market, selling their wares and learning the ropes of owning a business.

But Tom Fagan, owner of Fagan's Farms LLC, hopes to expand the opportunity to other young business owners.

"I'm excited about the whole program. Basically I was thinking about all the people that encouraged me when I was a teenager and learning the ropes of agriculture, now I would like to do the same for someone else, inspire that next generation," he said.

The plan is to offer a half-rate membership to teens wishing to sell their wares at the weekend market held at the Washington County Fairgrounds each Saturday.

"Our normal membership for the year is $100 but if you're a teen member of 4-H, FFA or just a teen entrepreneur we'd charge you $50 to be a part of our market," he explained. "That's less than a dollar a week."

Fagan's oldest daughter Ruth, 8, has helped on the farm with the tomato stakes and the rest of his children have helped with the family's first group of Corgi puppies, with the hanging baskets and the rest of the farm.

"But I want kids to think outside of the box. If growing vegetables is not your thing but maybe you're in beef or baking, we'll work with you and help you get licensed with the state to sell," he added.

One father-daughter pair that has grown into a teen-led business is that of the Sistrunks.

"My daughter is selling candles, soaps, aloe plants and baked goods," said Nat Sistrunk, of Belpre.

He has his own honeybee business and had given his daughter Danielle, 17, the opportunity to make a small wage by managing the table for his honey at the market about two years ago.

"I saw the opportunity when my dad became a beekeeper and had extra wax that he wasn't using," Danielle said as she explained how she got into making specialty soaps and candles. "I was also more prone to buy homemade soap and candles before that so I figured other people would be too."

Then one aloe plant at home was easily propogated into multiple plants, and Danielle saw the chance to continue her love of baking that had started during her 4-H days.

"I've always been very independent and wanted to make something for myself," she said. "So I knew that if I started this, it would be something that I could do on my own fairly easily."

Part of that ease is due to the lack of a huge investor overhead needed to start up at the market, said Andrew Newland, of Marietta.

Newland's son Ashton, 13, roasts his own coffee beans to sell at the market and has learned the ropes of inventory, financial tracking and public communication.

"The farmers market has allowed him this incredible opportunity, especially in communication," noted Andrew. "He has to talk with the people there and they ask him questions and are surprised that it's his business. His ability to communicate with all kinds of people has skyrocketed."

Ashton said he has enjoyed saving his earnings and understanding and perfecting the process of roasting coffee.

"For a batch of beans it takes about 45 minutes to roast. We have dark roast, regular and decaf," he explained. "I like the process and it's a good experience in telling people how it's made and it's something to be proud of."

But he said he hopes to also make more friends and meet more teens at the market too.

"I would like to see more young people there," Ashton added. "It would be fresh and I think would attract a lot more people to the farme's market."

Danielle said she's learned over the two years of making candles and soaps how to judge her market and fine-tune quality control.

"I've learned that I really have to make the most out of the resources I was given and to really prioritize my time," she said. "I've made the mistake (in the past) of not really researching what I should have done, such as recipes. I wanted to kind of eyeball most sizes and amounts of things but I know now that I have to be more careful and double check a lot of things before I say they are sale ready."

Her father added that he hopes the opportunity creates more mindfulness and responsibility in his daughter regardless of what career path she pursues.

"I'm confident it's building her interpersonal skills and public speaking skills," he said. "Whether she continues in selling candles down the road or not she's been afforded the opportunity to learn in a mini-business and put in that sweat equity. She's starting to see her time has value."

For more information about how to get involved contact Tom Fagan at 740-516-6253.

At a glance:

The River City Farmers Market is offering a new program geared toward teen and child business owners.

¯ For a reduced rate at the market members of 4-H and FFA and other teens are encouraged to sell produce and wares at the market.

¯ For more information on the program call Tom Fagan at 740-516-6253.

Source: Tom Fagan.