More than 6.5 million young people across the U.S. are 4-H members, several thousand of them in Frederick County. The organization promotes leadership and life skills -- it has even helped two local youngsters develop their own businesses.
Bailey Roe, of Knoxville, runs Bailey's Catering Service. Carrie Wivell, of Emmitsburg , markets her Yorkshire and Hampshire pigs.
Bailey entered some of her favorites wares at this week's Great Frederick Fair -- oatmeal toffee cookies, carrot cake and cinnamon rolls. "I got a blue ribbon on my carrot cake and cookies," she said. "And I got a red on my cinnamon rolls."
The Calico Clovers 4-H Club member said she's been making baked goods to sell for more than two years. "I love to bake for friends and family," she said. "My mom said I could turn it into a business and take orders -- so that's what I did."
Bailey keeps busy juggling school, 4-H projects and her catering service. "I take orders anytime, but especially at Christmas, Thanksgiving and even for anniversaries. My cakes are $10, cookies are 25 cents each and decorated cookies are 50 cents each."
The Brunswick Middle seventh grader said she's always enjoyed baking. "I grew up baking with my mother and my grandparents. I learned a lot from them and grew up loving it. The first-place carrot cake was an old recipe from my grandpa, Mitch Geasler."
Bailey said all her earnings have been reinvested back into her business. "I save my money for baking items, like if I need a new whisk," she said.
Reinvesting money in her project is also important to Carrie. The Catoctin High School senior not only exhibits her pigs at county and state shows, but has developed her own swine marketing business.
"I have 11 breeding sows," she said. "I get over 100 piglets from the litters and I raise about 45 for me to show. I sell the rest to other 4-H members and the remaining pigs go to market."
The Monocacy Achievers 4-H Club member said she puts all her earnings back into a fund to feed the pigs. "When I graduate from high school I hope to continue raising pigs and earn enough to help pay for college."
Carrie is continuing a family tradition. "My brother raised pigs and my dad raised pigs too. I've raised pigs since I was eight years old and I really enjoy it."
