Conversation with Mike Talbott of Allen County Extension OfficeBy Teresa Royer
Member Relations Specialist
I met with Mike Talbott the other day. Mike is the Allen County Director of the Purdue Extension Service. You will find them on our Chamber directory as Allen County 4-H Clubs.
When I asked Mike why he was listed with the Chamber specifically as Allen County 4-H Clubs, he told me it was their hope upon joining (many years ago) that the business people of Fort Wayne would attend their livestock auction during the 4-H fair to help drive bids up and ultimately purchase livestock.
Hhhmmm, right away I’m thinking “ok, what is a business person usually donning business attire going to do with Bessie the prize heifer?” I’m assuming putting her in the backyard would be against most neighborhood association bylaws. I didn’t have the heart to tell Mike, I thought he was on the wrong track.
However, I’m glad I exercised caution using the “think before you speak” tactic. Mike told me that in the past business people would attend the auction and listed names that you and I would both recognize that purchased livestock and helped make the auction a success.
The cool thing about businesses attending the auction, bidding and buying is the impact it makes on the young person that owns the livestock. It makes them feel great that this important person took the time to attend the auction and thought enough about their “project” to actually bid money on it. It’s GREAT for their self-esteem and actually gets them thinking about the business this person represents—then the ripple effect comes in. Mike tells me there have been times where the young person will then start to research the industry the business person is from and may have a direct impact on the decisions this young person makes when it comes to choosing a career, education, etc.
It just goes to show, that you never know how your actions will affect others – especially in the life of a young person. I encourage any and all business people to consider attending the 4-H livestock auction this July and consider bidding on Bessie, Brutus or Elmer, you don’t have to put him or her in the backyard, you could donate to the food bank or any other worthwhile cause. While you’re at the auction you can take in the Allen County Fair and have an ice cream and apple dumpling!
It can be a great two-fold opportunity to help the community – impacting the life of a young person and feeding the hungry!
If you have any specific questions on the auction I’m sure Mike and his team would be happy to help you. Here is their number: (260) 481-6826.
When I asked Mike why he was listed with the Chamber specifically as Allen County 4-H Clubs, he told me it was their hope upon joining (many years ago) that the business people of Fort Wayne would attend their livestock auction during the 4-H fair to help drive bids up and ultimately purchase livestock.
Hhhmmm, right away I’m thinking “ok, what is a business person usually donning business attire going to do with Bessie the prize heifer?” I’m assuming putting her in the backyard would be against most neighborhood association bylaws. I didn’t have the heart to tell Mike, I thought he was on the wrong track.
However, I’m glad I exercised caution using the “think before you speak” tactic. Mike told me that in the past business people would attend the auction and listed names that you and I would both recognize that purchased livestock and helped make the auction a success.
The cool thing about businesses attending the auction, bidding and buying is the impact it makes on the young person that owns the livestock. It makes them feel great that this important person took the time to attend the auction and thought enough about their “project” to actually bid money on it. It’s GREAT for their self-esteem and actually gets them thinking about the business this person represents—then the ripple effect comes in. Mike tells me there have been times where the young person will then start to research the industry the business person is from and may have a direct impact on the decisions this young person makes when it comes to choosing a career, education, etc.
It just goes to show, that you never know how your actions will affect others – especially in the life of a young person. I encourage any and all business people to consider attending the 4-H livestock auction this July and consider bidding on Bessie, Brutus or Elmer, you don’t have to put him or her in the backyard, you could donate to the food bank or any other worthwhile cause. While you’re at the auction you can take in the Allen County Fair and have an ice cream and apple dumpling!
It can be a great two-fold opportunity to help the community – impacting the life of a young person and feeding the hungry!
If you have any specific questions on the auction I’m sure Mike and his team would be happy to help you. Here is their number: (260) 481-6826.
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