How to Write a 4-H Buyer Letter
Just a few more weeks until fair! That means it is time to write a 4-H buyer letter for your animal project that’s going to the livestock sale.
Why is the 4-H buyer letter and marketing so important?
Each year the community comes out to attend the 4-H auction and spends thousands of dollars supporting 4-H kids in their projects. Without the support of local businesses there would be no stock sale for your kids to sell their animals at. Getting out and delivering market letters to these local businesses is a great way to keep your auction going and to get new buyers to the fair!
You might also like this post: 4-H Buyer Thank You Tutorial.
*This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you purchase something from one of the links on this page I will make a percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you. See full disclosure here.
Who should you send/deliver a letter to?
- Any local business your family patronizes
- Your families Doctor, Dentist, Eye Doctor, Orthodontist or any other specialist you see
- Previous Buyers of your 4-H animal
- Relatives, Family Friends, Neighbors
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What should you include in your letter?
- An introduction: Your name, age, Club, and project
- Something you learned raising this animal
- An invitation to the auction including:
- Fair information
- Sales Dates, Time and Location
- Extension Office phone number for more information
- Thanks for their support in the past if they’ve previously bought an animal
- Picture of you with your project animal
What Not to Include
- Any hardships your family is going through
- Having an asking price for your animal
- Asking for a direct donation
- Any threats to not do business with them anymore if they don’t buy your animal
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Example Letters
Letter 1:
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Jones,
Hello, my name is Mark Brown. I am 13 years old and I am part of the Clover Critters 4-H Club. This is my third year doing the market swine project. I am also the club historian and do the electricity and woodworking projects.
This year I have worked really hard training my market hog Pete! I made an extra effort to work with Pete every day so that he will walk nicely for me in the show ring. This summer I experimented with a different feed plan and am very happy with the results. I’m so excited to take my pig to fair!
I would like to invite you to the 2017 4-H Market Stock Sale where I will be walking Pete through the sale. On Saturday August 26th swine, beef, sheep, and goats will be auctioned off starting at 8am. I hope you will come to the swine sale and take a look at Pete and the other pigs that are in the auction to see if any of them catch your eye!
If you have any questions please contact the extension office at 209-630-2943. Come enjoy a day at the fair and support your local 4-H groups.
Sincerely,
Mark Brown
Letter 2:
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Jones,
Hello, my name is Mark Brown. I am 13 years old and I am part of the Clover Critters 4-H Club. This is my third year doing the market swine project. I am also the club historian and do the electricity and woodworking projects.
My family has had a tough time this year because my dad lost his job. We could barely afford to feed my pig. I really need to make a lot of money on my pig at fair. Last year you bought a pig and paid a good price for it, I hope you will do the same for me.
I would like to invite you to the 2017 4-H Market Stock Sale to buy my pig.
Sincerely,
Mark Brown
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Good luck at your local fair and happy marketing! For more tips and how to guides check out this post: “4-H Program|An Overview”
Have any questions or comments? Leave a comment below. Let’s get a conversation started!
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4 Comments
Audra
Several questions: 1st time doing letters. Should I type this out for my 3rd grader or hand write? Or should I make a generic one and have my son fill in the blank? Do I insert a picture on the document or get a 4×6 printed?
Jennifer
Hello, we usually typed our buyer letters and inserted a pic or two on the document. I know some people prefer receiving hand written letters but that can be a lot of writing for the little ones. Thank you letters should definitely be handwritten! Good luck with your project.
Sarah
Hello! I am a 4-H Program Specialist in Yakima County, WA. Would it be possible to have permission post this information in our 4-H Focus Newsletter? We thought it would help our local youth with their livestock projects this year.
Jennifer
Hi Sarah, I apologize for not replying sooner. I work at a tax/accounting office during tax season and have little time to keep up with my blog during those few months. Please feel free to link to this post or use the information in your Newsletter.