Million Dollar Milestone
brooke schnarre
zach schnarre
blair
schnarre
The FCS Financial Ag Youth Program reached a milestone this year by providing its millionth
dollar to help fund 4H and FFA projects. The Schnarre family from Centralia, Mo., became
the millionth dollar users.
The program began in 2014 and offers interest-free funds for specific 4H and FFA projects.
It is available to all Missouri 4-H and FFA members in FCS Financial’s 102-county service
area.
Brooke, Blair and Zach Schnarre each received funding to purchase livestock. They
worked with Vice President Joe Abbott throughout their project to stay on track.
“I was really excited to hear the Schnarre kids received the millionth dollar of funding for
the FCS Financial Ag Youth Program,” Abbott said.
Showing pigs and Angus heifers, Brooke has been a 4H and FFA member for 12 years.
“I used the ag youth program to help purchase my animals this year to get me started. I
will pay it back at the end of the year once I sell my animals,” Brooke said.
Each Schnarre child feeds, bathes and walks their animals as well as cleans pens and stalls
each day as part of their project.
“I’ve gained many things from raising and showing livestock. With livestock I’ve learned
that you can’t just do everything on your own,” Brooke said. “You’re going to need help with it
along the way because it is a lot to take on and it is challenging.”
The program assists students by providing financial aid and educational assistance. The
goal is to emphasize the importance of accurate records, budgeting and honoring obligations
to repay – setting up the future farmer or rancher with the tools, skills and contacts to move
forward into a rewarding and successful agricultural career.
Blair has been in 4H for five years. The FCS Financial Ag Youth Program complements
the leadership and social skills she has been developing.
“I used it so I could pay for my show pigs,” Blair said. “I’ve gained more responsibility and
I got to meet new friends at the county fair.”
Funds may only be used for the project specified in the application. Each student must
keep accurate records and a detailed cash flow for FCS Financial to review. At the end of the
project, funds must be repaid.
“Each year I sit down with the Schnarre kids and we discuss their projects. We also look at
their cash flow that they have prepared. They show me how they are going to use the funds and
when they are going to pay it back,” Abbott said. “The Ag Youth Program is not a grant. It’s an
interest-free funding program for our 4-H and FFA members with the expectation the funds
will be repaid when the projects are sold.”
Zach Schnarre participates in cattle, archery and woodworking through Centralia 4H
Club.
“I used the ag youth program to help pay for my cattle and feed them,” Zach said. “Then I
will it pay it back. I gained a lot of respect (from raising and showing livestock). I show them at
county fairs and junior nationals.”
Funds are available for one project per year, per applicant. Advances are made payable to
the applicant and parent or guardian. To apply, submit a completed application and agreement
along with a detailed projected cash flow statement. A parent and adult club supervisor must
sign as well. Applications are available at myfcsfinancial.com or contact your local office. Visit
our YouTube page to see a video featuring the Schnarre kids and their project.