Micole Jorgenson’s grandfather “Beep” helped her get started with her 4-H project, funded by an FSA Youth Loan.
By Lacy Roberts, FSA
The youth loan Micole Jorgenson received from USDA’s Farm Service Agency has allowed her to experience the ups and downs of ranching first hand and help her pave the way to one day becoming a veterinarian.
FSA youth loans help young people like Micole start and operate income-producing projects in connection to their participation in 4-H, FFA, a tribal youth group, or similar agricultural youth organization.
Micole first learned about youth loans through her grandfather, Emerald “Beep” Grant, Jr., who also serves as board chair of the local Blackfeet Natural Resources Conservation District.
“My grandpa was talking about it [youth loans] and I wanted to be around livestock and get to help,” shared 14-year-old Micole at her family ranch on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in northwestern Montana.
A Learning Curve
To help her get started, Grant picked out the three best-bred heifers out of the group of 50 cows he purchased three years ago.
“It is not as easy as it seems,” Micole said. The first year went well, but the second year brought her an important lesson about the challenges of agriculture. She discovered that two of the cows were dry and one died, leaving her with just the one cow she started with before the loan.
These experiences have made Micole more eager to learn. “She has been a lot more interested in agriculture and asks a lot more questions,” said Grant. “She knows the cows more now and instead of just looking at them and reading their tag number she knows that one is the mean cow and that is the cow that doesn’t have much milk. She remembers a lot of stuff I don’t remember anymore!” laughed Grant.
Micole has had the opportunity to delve more into recordkeeping and keeps detailed records for her 4-H projects. She is also expanding her livestock handling and cowgirl skills through 4-H programs.
Micole has had the opportunity to delve more into recordkeeping and keeps detailed records for her 4-H projects.
“She has gotten to see life and death. The good times and the bad times. I don’t know what I would do without her now,” said Grant.
Advice for Others
For those considering an FSA youth loan, Micole cautions about the work involved, but says “my favorite part is checking calves and cows and seeing the little calves running around.” For Micole, those fun times definitely make it all worthwhile.
In her down time, Micole enjoys playing basketball for Browning High School and working on her other 4-H projects, which have included everything from guinea pigs and photography to sewing and beading.
More Information
USDA offers a variety of risk management, disaster assistance, loan, and conservation programs to help agricultural producers in the United States weather ups and downs in the market and recover from natural disasters as well as invest in improvements to their operations. Learn about additional programs.
For more information about USDA programs and services, contact your local USDA service center.
