Craig Schroeder Senior Associate Youth Engagement

Critical Issues: Youth Impact  Generational Wealth Transfer  Historical Youth Out-Migration Trends  Loss of Farms, Industry and Small Businesses  Erosion of Leadership and Civic Capacity

What do we mean by “youth”? 1. Elementary to post-secondary (K-16) age young people that we can engage in civic leadership roles, entrepreneurship and career opportunities in their community. 1. Young adults (19-35 years) that we can encourage to live and work in our communities (potentially with families of their own!).

Gallup Poll Results Seven out of 10 (69%) high-school students are interested in starting their own business, but 86% rated themselves as very poor to fair on their knowledge of business and entrepreneurship. 85% of these students thought it was important or very important to receive entrepreneurship education in schools. Gallup Organization, Inc.

New Opportunities – Entrepreneurship – Information Technology – Biotechnology Youth Perspectives – Family and Community – Quality of Life and Civic Engagement – Entrepreneurship – a preferred career path We need to rethink our options and learn from history…

Learning From History: Not that long ago, 9 in 10 Americans were self-employed. They knew how to create and sustain entrepreneurial communities.

Your Entrepreneurial Heritage?

Youth Are Critical to Rural Vitality! 3:1 positive impact upon population Long-term business and career goals Educated workforce for expanding businesses Substantial consumers of goods and services New energy, skills, ideas and resources Support and use public institutions Retention of local generational wealth

Why Target Youth “E” Talent? Youth currently in your community may well represent your greatest resource for economic growth and community sustainability. The challenge is to: engage these youth, equip them with the skills and knowledge to be successful, and then support them and their enterprising ventures.

How do communities involve youth? Do to YouthDo for YouthDo with Youth Skateboard Zoning Trash Cleanup Focus on Stars and Ignore Other Youth Teen Center College Scholarships Tell Youth the Right Way to Do Things Youth Events Decision Making Listen and Support Youth Discovery

Getting Educators Involved

Community Support of Youth & Enterprises Entrepreneurial Education & Career Development Youth Involvement & Leadership in Community Engage Equip Support Youth Engagement System

EntrepreneurShip Investigation (4-H ESI)

14 Thinking Outside the Box Retreat

15 Welcome Back Home Exercise

Norfolk Area Recruiters 16 Over 30 Families in 3 Years