In partnership with the Louisiana Council of Farmer Cooperatives, 8th-12th grade 4-H Members will have opportunities to explore the cooperative business structure through simulated, real-world experiences. This conference features guest speakers from various types of cooperative industries, career readiness sessions, personal branding tips and strategic marketing challenges.

Participants will test their knowledge as they compete for educational trips and cash awards. While ALL 8th- 12th graders are encouraged to participate in this opportunity, students in ag based projects, such as livestock, welding, gardening/farming and electricity, who are interested in business would benefit greatly from this experience.

Check out this 2019 Louisiana 4-H Annual Report article titled, Partnerships: A Cooperative Enterprise, to learn more about this opportunity.

Sample Event Schedule:

Day 1:

• Guest Speaker Session: What is a Cooperative & Who Makes it Work?
• Group Networking/Teamwork Challenge
• Guest Speaker Session Can You Market and Sell Yourself? [Personal Branding 101]
• Ice Breaker: Speed Networking
• Cooperative Organization Meeting
• Presentation of Cooperative Charter
• Cooperative Membership Drive
• Cooperative Board Meeting

Day 2:

• Cooperative Report – Cooperative Presidents & General Managers
• Business Set-up, Sales Time
• Guest Speaker: Marketing Strategy & Fundamentals
• Break-out Sessions:
• Marketing Practical Application
• Sales and Marketing Cooperative Reports
• Group Teamwork Challenge
• Break-out Sessions:
  • Loan Application Simulation
  • Personal Credit and Finance
• Cooperative Knowledge Check
• Award Candidate Interviews
• Cooperative Advertising Development
• Talent Show [with Commercial Breaks]
• Dance/ Final Sales Session
• Cooperative Board Meetings & Financial Reporting Time

Day 3:

• Inspirational Service at the Multipurpose Bldg.
• Cooperative Annual Meetings at the Multipurpose Bldg.
• Evaluation Time and Presentation of Certificates