Georgia Youth Finds Eggs-cellent Success with FSA Youth Loan

 

Muhammad worked with Fatima Jones, farm loan manager, at the Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Dawson to obtain a youth loan to purchase his chickens and to build a coop.

By Dana Rogge, Public Affairs Specialist

His vision – build an egg empire. Aaron Muhammad, 15, of Dawson, Georgia, wasn’t raised on a farm and had no prior farm experience, but decided to try something new and discovered his passion for raising chickens. When he’s not tackling his school work, he’s working on building his eggs-trodinary business.

Muhammad decided to raise chickens at the age of 12 to expand his horizons and to try something new. To help him get started, he worked with Fatima Jones, farm loan manager, at the Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Dawson to obtain a youth loan to purchase his chickens and to build a coop.

FSA Youth Loans help youth between the ages of 10 and 21 start and operate income-producing projects in connection with their participation in 4-H, the National FFA Organization, a Tribal youth group, or other similar agricultural youth organizations. Youth Loans provide an opportunity for young entrepreneurs to acquire experience and education in agriculture-related skills.

Muhammad currently sells his eggs to family and friends, but would like to become a more well-known source, and supply eggs to businesses such as bakeries.

“Since 2014, I have watched Aaron grow as a responsible youth, taking control of his egg production, keeping records of his expenses and income, making decisions, making payments on time, dealing with disaster and communicating with local FSA loan officials,” Jones said.

Muhammad is currently in his third semester studying Electronics Technology at Albany Technical College while continuing to raise his chickens and sell eggs. He currently sells his eggs to family and friends, but would like to become a more well-known source, and supply eggs to businesses such as bakeries.

“I would like to be the first name on people’s list when they need eggs,” Muhammad said.

He said the Youth Loan helped him to pursue this business venture without putting a financial burden on his parents. He credits his parents for helping guide him through the process of building a business.

“They helped me financially and mentally by giving me tips for building a business as far as what to do and what not to do,” Muhammad said.

Muhammad said through the FSA Youth Loan he has learned how to maintain a line of credit and how to pay debts on time. Aside from the business skills he has acquired, he said he has learned a lot about patience.

“In the city, everything is instant,” he said. “With raising chickens, it all takes time. Time to give them water, to feed them to watch them grow – the whole cycle takes time.”

To learn more about FSA’s Youth Loan program, visit www.fsa.usda.gov.