“Without the help from the youth loan I received from the Farm Service Agency I wouldn’t have the herd I have today.”
Those were the words of 17-year-old Brian Linton of Inwood, W. Va., as he sat by his prized steer at the Berkeley County Youth Fair last week. Linton received his loan in 2008. He says the FSA loan helped him with the front loaded costs of buying his show heifer and cow calf pairs.
“Those start up costs were expensive,” said Linton. He said getting the loan has taught him to save money and learn financial responsibility.
“When the payment comes due you have to have the money to make it,” Linton said. “Dealing with this loan has really helped me look at finances in a whole new light.”
This was the 63rd year of the Berkeley County Youth Fair, which the only county youth fair in the United States. Exhibits range from yeast breads and sewing projects to veterinary science and money management.
—by Dann Stuart, deputy director, Farm Service Agency Public Affairs
