Youth Agribusiness Pitch Contests Announced

Whitley EDC staff (left) presents Amy Brown with a $500 check.
Hayley Puckett (four from left) stands with a handful of her mentees.

COLUMBIA CITY, Ind. (July 18, 2022) -- The Whitley County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) announced the two finalists for the inaugural Youth Agribusiness Pitch Contest. 

Amy Brown, South Whitley, and Hayley Puckett, Columbia City, were each awarded a $500 check for their youth agribusiness. Brown's applicant was sheep production and Puckett's business was youth mentorship. 

The Whitley County Youth Agribusiness Pitch Competition is a business/idea pitching competition to encourage the youth to engage in the agricultural industry. The competition aims to ensure the continuous creation of investable ideas that will contribute to Whitley County agriculture.

The competition was open to individuals in grades 5 through 12 who attended a Whitley County School; including Smith Green Community Schools, Whitko Community Schools, and Whitley County Consolidated Schools, or provide proof of homeschooling education. 

The awards were presented at the Whitley County 4-H Fair.  The application is here and will open again in March.