Youth Sugarbeet Project

 

Designed specifically for youth in the sugarbeet producing areas of Michigan, the Youth Project seeks to promote education and interest in sugarbeets.

The program is for all youths, grades 3-12, who wish to participate in a supervised sugarbeet project sponsored by Michigan Sugar Company.

Registration Form

We believe that today’s youth are the sugarbeet industry’s future. The Youth Sugarbeet Project is a program that runs from June-August for kids in 3rd through 12th grades. The purpose of the program is to help kids learn about sugarbeet production and the agriculture industry, gain networking and professional skills, and meet new people. Participants also learn agronomy practices and why cooperation is necessary between growers and processors.

Youth Project members attend and participate in a Youth Sugarbeet Project orientation meeting prior to starting their project. Members also participate in beet field tours to discuss production practices.

Students can sign up between for this upcoming year’s project from January 2017 through May 1, 2017.

Participants will be grouped by grade level based on the 2017/18 school year:

• Group A: Grades 3-5
• Group B: Grades 6-8
• Group C: Grades 9-12

*Effective for the 2017 Project Year – Graduating seniors may not participate the summer after their senior year, but at that time can join the Young Farmer Program.

Activities for the Youth Project include:

• Creating an Ag Report and completing an age appropriate test and interview
• Attending and participating in the Youth Field Day
• A scavenger hunt
• Creating exhibits for the fair
• An annual summer trip (previous years have included Tigers’ games, the Detroit Zoo, and the Great Lakes Loons games)
• Awards Banquet (January)

Benefits and Awards

Throughout the year, the Youth Project will hold educational and fun events such as Field Day and a planned Summer Trip. YP participants will have the opportunity to learn more about the sugarbeet industry, careers in Agriculture, and much more.

Award banquets in each growing area are held between December and January. At these banquets, the participants are recognized and awarded for their accomplishments. Since participants will be learning with other participants in their age group, all groups will be recognized and rewarded for their accomplishments. Awards will be distributed on a per district basis based on points the participants accumulated throughout the year.