Mission Thanksabunch: Saying Thank You Makes a Difference

Situation

Recognizing and thanking contributors is crucial to maintaining community support for 4-H programs. Market animal projects are a large part of many Idaho 4-H programs, and finding ways to retain existing sale buyers and recruiting new ones can be a challenge. In addition, it is important to recognize all 4-H supporters regardless of how much they contribute or what projects they support.

According to the 2000 Idaho census, Minidoka County has lower wages than similar counties in Idaho. Unemployment rates in 2005 have remained high at between 7.1% and 5.5%. Employment in the region is heavily dependent on agriculture and food processing, primarily potato and sugar beets. Simplot, the major employer in the area, announced the closure of their potato processing plant in 2002. This closure displaced approximately 600 employees and had a negative impact on area businesses. It has been estimated that the Simplot plant closure will result in $200 million of economic loss to the Minidoka and Cassia County area. Despite the struggle with economic growth and poor agricultural prices, businesses and individuals in Minidoka County have continued to strongly support 4-H Youth Development programs.

Saying "Thank You"

A program called "Mission Thanksabunch" began in Minidoka County in 2000 in order to thank market animal sale buyers. The program's original intent was to thank buyers, not demand their support. The program offers great opportunities for 4-H youth to personally show their appreciation. Specific instructions, contact information, and a timeline requirement are distributed to county 4-H livestock clubs at least 1 month before the county fair.

Before the Fair

4-H youth enrolled in market animal projects are encouraged to visit a buyer from the previous sale, thank them for their past support, and invite them back to the current year's fair and livestock sale. In addition, they present a gift sponsored by the 4-H/FFA Livestock Sale Committee, along with a sale brochure and breakfast tickets. Youth must also invite one additional business or individual that did not purchase an animal the previous year. Gifts, sale brochures, and breakfast tickets are also provided.

At the Fair

During the county fair, youth have their photograph taken with their sale animal. This photograph is presented immediately after their animal is sold to their buyer with a thank you for supporting the sale and the 4-H program. Wooden buyer plaques and date plaques to be displayed in the buyer's place of business are also presented, showcasing the community support of businesses for the youth program.

After the Fair

Mission Thanksabunch is continued when youth send a "thank you" to their buyer, which must be done before livestock sale checks can be picked up. The sale committee also purchases advertisements in the local newspapers thanking buyers for supporting the sale.

Sale Committee Responsibility

Mission Thanksabunch is monitored and supported by the Minidoka County 4-H/FFA Livestock Sale Committee. The committee is made up of 11 volunteers representing various backgrounds and associations. Representatives on the committee include a 4-H adult and youth, an FFA adult and youth, a fairboard member, and six community members from agriculture, finance, merchant, commercial agriculture, commercial business, and agribusiness.

The purpose of this committee is to assist youth by operating and managing the livestock sale in conjunction with the Minidoka County Fair. With this goal in mind, committee members have agreed to provide financial support for Mission Thanksabunch. In addition, committee members are assigned individual 4-H clubs to contact prior to the county fair to determine whether assigned buyer contacts have been completed.

Program Outcomes

Figure one shows the number of livestock buyers at the Minidoka County Fair has increased from 116 to 152, a 31% increase from 2000 to 2005. Sale receipts for 2005 have increased by 104% for this same period, reaching an all time high of $250,299.32 for 201 animals in 2005. The number of new buyers, which also includes those previous buyers who have not bought in the last 5 years, rose by 43 in 2001, 36 in 2002, 39 in 2003, 33 in 2004, and 26 in 2005. Livestock sale committee members and county 4-H staff agree that personal contact and a sincere thank you from 4-H youth encourages members of our community and local businesses to become and stay involved in supporting 4-H in Minidoka County.

Figure1.
Number of Buyers, Sale Receipts and Number of Animals for Minidoka County Market Animal Sale 2000-2005

Budget

The 4-H/FFA Livestock Sale Committee budgets approximately $2,500 each year to purchase gifts, newspaper advertising, wooden plaques, and cookies and soda for the buyers at the livestock sale. $1,000 has been spent each year for gifts delivered by youth to buyers. These items have included:

• Candy bouquets
• Minidoka County 4-H coffee mugs
• "Glory Be" stuffed animals
• Colored "Glory Be" stuffed farm animals
• Minidoka County Livestock Sale stadium cushions

In addition, the committee sponsors the Buyer's Breakfast each year on sale mornings. In 2005 there was a 34% increase from the previous year in the number of free breakfasts served to buyers. Two hundred and twelve people enjoyed a full breakfast prepared and served by a local 4-H club, an increase from 158 in 2004 and 135 in 2003.

Thanksabunch

Mission Thanksabunch has evolved to include much more than the original intention of just thanking sale buyers. Mission Thanksabunch was started primarily by the Minidoka County Livestock Sale Committee for livestock projects but has crossed over to every aspect of the Minidoka County 4-H program. For example, a local 4-H club now sends Christmas cards to all 4-H supporters each year. The Minidoka County 4-H Teen Association has also become involved by sponsoring a community dance during fair week and helping at fair activities and the livestock sale. The teens also donate a Christmas tree to the Red Cross Caring and Sharing Fair each year, with all proceeds going to support local community needs.

The University of Idaho Minidoka County Extension Office encourages 4-H youth and adults to thank and serve the community by maintaining a list of names and addresses of 4-H supporters and coordinating Mission Thanksabunch. County 4-H supporters are also publicly thanked through programs, signage, and paid newspaper advertisements.

Conclusion

The data support the idea that making the extra effort to say "Thank You" really works in local communities. Even in times of depressed economic growth, local businesses and individuals are willing to support a successful and grateful youth development program. Longtime 4-H supporters, like the manager of the local Les Schwab Tire dealership, says he continues to support 4-H because he appreciates the work ethic that is developed by 4-H kids and feels the fair livestock sale is the best use of his advertising dollars. 4-H alumni, appreciative of his community support, are now doing business with his tire store. Mission Thanksabunch will continue to show the local community how much 4-H youth appreciate their continued support.