Page 66 - Tennessee Teen Volunteer Judge's Book 2022

What can you do during your Tenure of Service as a Titleholder to impact your community?
I want to bring the farms and small businesses to the forefront of peopleś minds. I feel the small town farms and privately owned small businesses were suffering well before the pandemic but it has brought an added strain to those hoping to keep their way of life alive. I have started my platform to help people in the community connect with the local businesses and farmers. I feel so many of us want to shop at local farms and know where our food comes from but the problem seems to lie in not knowing where to look. My hope is to use my platform Tennessee Farm to Home to feature local farms on social media platforms so you can see what they offer and where they are located hence encouraging people to utilize shopping local vs the big box stores. Helping farmers thrive instead of just survive.
What has been your involvement with your platform?
I will admit I am early in setting up this platform. I am now 13 and was granted a phone and parent involved access to social media for my birthday which was August 10th 2021. At that time I told my mom I wanted to help the local farmers and we came up with Tennessee Farm to Home Directory. I have begun sitting up a Facebook page and plan to utilize my Instagram as well. I am homeschooled so I do have more time to focus on growing the platform. We are brainstorming the best ways to set up the directory that could have a map. I plan to utilize pictures, videos and maps to show locations where products offered.
What inspired you to first become involved in your platform?
I have been involved in agriculture in one way or another my entire life. I began my performance herd of Nigerians 4 years ago when I was 9. In that time I have met many people in the dairy industry. I have watched farms come and go and struggle as prices of feed and hay as well as other products continue to rise when we struggle at times just to sell products. Every for-sale sign I see on a farming property breaks my heart. I don't want my children to grow up in a world where small farms no longer exist. Yet farmland is being sold off at an alarming rate due to the struggles of big markets taking over or cost being too much over profit. I see people wanting to help and all kinds of shop small signs but its hard to do when you don´t know where to look or what they have. It seems to me a directory will really help people find what they are looking for locally.
If you are selected as the winner, how would you mobilize and market your platform nationally?
I would utilize the opportunity to go farther visiting farms to feature as well as find a website designer to help me with a website where a map could be clicked on in your area and would list the farms in that county and what they offer. I would visit farmers markets and go live showing what is available to bring more awareness. I would encourage other youth in their states to do the same.
How would you utilize social media in order to positively further your position as a titleholder if you are selected as the winner?
I will utilize social media multiple times a week to promote my platform by reaching out to other youth and encourage involvement in agriculture. I would post interviews at local farms and visit county fairs to be seen and discuss the Teen Volunteer Program with other girls. The opportunities it brings to bring awareness to important issues in their community and all the fun it is!