For one Indiana dealer, care that comes full circle is natural. Giving back to local county fairs is a way they help ensure the fairs survive. Lalon Allen appreciates how important fairs are for raising and empowering young people, the future of our industry.
“We donate 10% of whatever we sell back to the fairgrounds. That also prevents 5 to 10 people from each county coming and asking for a donation,” said the owner of Allen Feeds, based in North Manchester, Indiana.
Education on a School Bus
Where does that 10% come from that Allen Feeds donates? The feed company has converted an old school bus into a mobile livestock show shopping experience. It uses that bust to take product on the road!
“We took an old school bus, gutted it, and put shelving and racks in it. We go to 15 or so different county fairs around us,” Allen said. “The original goal was to sell more product, but we weren’t going to be a ‘me too,’ which means we weren’t going to have just a trailer, and nobody knows what’s in it,” Allen said.
He further explains that after gutting the bus, adding shelves and LED lighting, customers can enter from the front, and flow through the bus to shop.
“They ask a million questions because there are products in there they have never heard of before. Then they shop and check out at the end of the day. The more they spend, the more they (the show) get back,” Allen said.
Building for the Next Generation
“If we can get the little kids hooked, then they will come back as adults,” Allen adds with a grin.
However, he also knows the essential lessons that livestock kids learn in the barn with their animals, preparing them for the county fair and beyond. Lessons in responsibility, work ethic, respect, and animal care are all reasons Allen gives back to the fairs. After all, they’re an arena where these efforts are rewarded.
“You have to give back or it (the fair) will dry up and go away,” Allen said.
With nearly 45 years of experience in the feed business, Allen can tell if someone grew up around livestock projects. He knows they are an important way to teach numerous life lessons including goal setting, sportsmanship, patience and time managment.
Thank you to Allen Feeds for taking your Sure Champ® products on the road to help so many youths prep to win, and for showing this level of care that comes full circle!