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BOZEMAN - - When National Geographic's photographers take to the road this summer, it won't be to cover Jacques Cousteau or the penguins of Antarctica. These reporters are heading for Ravalli County -- with vegetables on their minds.
Their targets? Young entrepreneurs, namely Trapper and Kylee Payne.
Together, the two Lucky Horseshoes 4-H Club members operate their own home-based produce business. The business is successful, growing, popular with neighbors...and by a year from now, will have been featured in one of the world's most loved and well-known magazines.
It all started a few summers ago when Trapper and Kylee were working in the garden with their mom, Cindy. It was hot, they were sweaty, and the work seemed endless. Suddenly, Trapper (who was 11 at the time), had an idea: "Mom?" he asked. "Would you care if I sell some of these vegetables?"
Cindy said "sure," but none of the Paynes would have ever guessed how that tiny spark of an idea would develop.
Now, three summers later, Trapper and Kylee run a successful and growing business, and their hard work and entrepreneurship will be honored with a photo spread and article in National Geographic. Representatives of the magazine are expected to arrive in late July or early August.
Trapper and Kylee raise a one-acre garden and sell their produce door-to-door to neighbors. The business is so successful the kids have purchased their own 4-H livestock, grain and school clothes with their profits. They each have their own savings account, and are already saving for college. Kylee also has her eye on a paint horse.
"This is a very good opportunity for them," said their mom. "They earn their own living and put it back into the business."
"It's kind of hard work, but it's fun!" said Kylee, who added that she and her brother, unlike many siblings, have no problems getting along together.
Part of the Paynes' secret to success, as well as the image that attracted National Geographic, is Trapper and Kylee's savvy business set-up: rather than merely trudging door-to-door with their vegetables, the kids make good use of their pony, Cocoa, and homemade pony cart. They decorated their cart with brightly colored wooden vegetables, and they even wear catchy costumes.
Each year their business has expanded. One year they started growing and selling wildflowers, another year brought Indian corn, gourds and pumpkins to extend the season far into the Fall. Kylee says her favorite part of the business is making baked goods -- she expertly whips up breadsticks, zucchini bread, zucchini cake and other baked goods to add to the available merchandise. Trapper's favorite activity is harvesting.
One of Trapper's plans is to build a farmer's market stand at their home so customers can buy directly.
"I had no idea it would get this big," laughs Trapper. "I just asked my mom one day if we could do it!"
From the 4-H Clover Project Selection Guide
