MONROE - Green County fairgoers can find out if they have what it takes to be a modern-day farmer and get their steers to market.
Alissa Grenawalt, Green County's University of Wisconsin-Extension 4-H agent, is making Commodity Carnival's Risk Ranch available in the Exhibit Hall, where adults and children can send their "steer" through the perils of farm management to see if they can gain a profit.
The hands-on, educational game board teaches players about the risks and costs associated with producing and bringing animals to market - feed, vet bills, transportation and energy costs.
And players can take the "Risk Ranch" game home with them on their mobile device. The app version expands on the board game to include some ways to manage those farming risks.
Commodity Carnival's inaugural fair game, Pig-linko, was offered last year.
"A lot of adults said they weren't aware of all the risks" in farming, Grenawalt said.
Not only is Commodity Carnival helping to increase agricultural science and economics literacy among people who may not understand the importance of the industry, it is also improving financial literacy in the agricultural community, particularly for the farmers of tomorrow.
Young adult, UW-Extension interns, assisted by younger volunteers, are being prepared as peer leaders to engage and teach other young people at the fair event, Grenawalt said.
Having the game set up at the county fair also gives people another avenue for connecting with those involved with agriculture.
The game's purpose works well, Grenawalt said. Smaller children enjoyed the thrill of the game, while older children and adults recognized the unavoidable variables associated with farming.
Grenawalt would like to see more people who are not agriculturally proficient try their hand at Risk Ranch.
Risk Ranch will be at the Wisconsin State Fair, July 31-Aug. 10 in West Allis, before returning to Monroe for Green County Cheese Days, Sept. 19-21.
The National 4-H Council and CME Group (Chicago Mercantile Exchange) are partners in the development and distribution of Commodity Carnivals, which is going to 120 different state and county fairs in 11 states.
Educating more than 54,000 youth on agriculture commodities last year, the Commodity Carnival is extending beyond the fairgrounds.
Risk Ranch is available on the Web, in the App Store and through the Android Market. Players will experience real-life agricultural risks and will need to make strategic decisions to avoid risks, allocate their coins wisely and purchase futures to protect their investment, in order to win the blue ribbon.
Commodity Carnival is enabling 4-H to extend its impact and provide valuable education, according to Jennifer Sirangelo, president and CEO of the National 4-H Council.
To see Risk Ranch in action, go to www.cmegroup.com/4Hcarnival.
Alissa Grenawalt, Green County's University of Wisconsin-Extension 4-H agent, is making Commodity Carnival's Risk Ranch available in the Exhibit Hall, where adults and children can send their "steer" through the perils of farm management to see if they can gain a profit.
The hands-on, educational game board teaches players about the risks and costs associated with producing and bringing animals to market - feed, vet bills, transportation and energy costs.
And players can take the "Risk Ranch" game home with them on their mobile device. The app version expands on the board game to include some ways to manage those farming risks.
Commodity Carnival's inaugural fair game, Pig-linko, was offered last year.
"A lot of adults said they weren't aware of all the risks" in farming, Grenawalt said.
Not only is Commodity Carnival helping to increase agricultural science and economics literacy among people who may not understand the importance of the industry, it is also improving financial literacy in the agricultural community, particularly for the farmers of tomorrow.
Young adult, UW-Extension interns, assisted by younger volunteers, are being prepared as peer leaders to engage and teach other young people at the fair event, Grenawalt said.
Having the game set up at the county fair also gives people another avenue for connecting with those involved with agriculture.
The game's purpose works well, Grenawalt said. Smaller children enjoyed the thrill of the game, while older children and adults recognized the unavoidable variables associated with farming.
Grenawalt would like to see more people who are not agriculturally proficient try their hand at Risk Ranch.
Risk Ranch will be at the Wisconsin State Fair, July 31-Aug. 10 in West Allis, before returning to Monroe for Green County Cheese Days, Sept. 19-21.
The National 4-H Council and CME Group (Chicago Mercantile Exchange) are partners in the development and distribution of Commodity Carnivals, which is going to 120 different state and county fairs in 11 states.
Educating more than 54,000 youth on agriculture commodities last year, the Commodity Carnival is extending beyond the fairgrounds.
Risk Ranch is available on the Web, in the App Store and through the Android Market. Players will experience real-life agricultural risks and will need to make strategic decisions to avoid risks, allocate their coins wisely and purchase futures to protect their investment, in order to win the blue ribbon.
Commodity Carnival is enabling 4-H to extend its impact and provide valuable education, according to Jennifer Sirangelo, president and CEO of the National 4-H Council.
To see Risk Ranch in action, go to www.cmegroup.com/4Hcarnival.