Youth learn ag risks at Commodity Carnival

Local kids will get a chance to learn the risks involved in food production at the Commodity Carnival during this year’s fair.

The Commodity Carnival, which will be available at the Cheyenne County fair on Aug. 1, is an interactive, educational game that teaches kids ages seven to 14 about the risks and costs involved in producing and bringing animals to market, according to a press release from CME Group.

“This idea really came out of wanting to reach the next generation of farmers and ranchers,” said Chris Grams, director of corporate communications at CME Group.

The game is the result of a partnership between CME Group and the National 4-H council. This is the second year for the carnival, but its first year at the Cheyenne County fair. Also new this year is a free downloadable app tied to the carnival called Risk Ranch that kids can play on their mobile device or computer to continue with the carnival after the fair is through.

The carnival reached about 50,000 youths last year, but expanded this year to 120 state and county fairs in 11 states. In addition to reaching young agriculturalists, this game will teach those not exposed to farming about food production.

“They’re learning that food doesn’t just show up on the dinner table,” Grams said.

Although the carnival is funded through a grant from the CME Group, it’s truly a partnership in Gram’s eyes. The 4-H youth who perform the activities at the fair do a large part of the work, he said. CME Group is a 165-year-old derivatives marketplace which began as a place to trade physical grain and as a way for farmers to manage risk.