As the assistant manager at Growing Minds Farm Stop, Lilly Cox understands how much work running a business can be. She creates work schedules, networks with local farmers and producers, manages inventory, does bookkeeping and helps customers and student workers with anything they need.
Even though Cox is only 18, she feels she was “Beyond Ready” to step into the role this spring, in large part thanks to her 10 years in 4-H.
“4-H prepared me for working here in a lot of different ways,” Cox said. “It brought me out of my shell and gave me confidence and leadership skills. I’m a very bubbly person and love connecting with people. 4-H allowed me to build relationships with people I normally wouldn’t, like farmers at the local farmers market.”
The farm stop, which Cox describes as a store that’s “a farmers market seven days a week,” started a few years ago, when a local organization called Madison Youth Unlimited partnered with Cox’s school. The project’s goal was to create an entirely student-run business that offered fresh produce to those living in Madison, Indiana and benefited local farmers, who set their own prices and kept 70% of the earnings.
The project’s advisor — encouraged by glowing recommendations about Cox from two people connected to 4-H — approached her and asked her to join the business team. Cox jumped at the opportunity. Over the next two years, Cox and seven other students on the business team researched everything from how other farm stops ran to how long it would take the farm stand to become profitable.
When it was time to share the results with the school and local stakeholders to secure funding, Cox was ready. “When I did 4-H Junior Leaders, I sat in front of my community and other 4-H members and talked about the future of 4-H in our county — how we can do things differently, how we can improve. My communications skills really blossomed.”
After two years of planning and research, the farm stop had its soft opening in August 2025. Cox’s previous experience on the business team, community connections, strong leadership skills and recent high school graduation made her a natural choice for the assistant manager position.
Cox’s time now is split between managing the farm stop and pursuing an associate's degree in agriculture. She looks forward to connecting with the next generations that come through the store and helping other Madison students become ready for their next giant leap after high school.
With 4-H, you can do many things that you’d never dream of otherwise. I never would have thought I would be here as an assistant manager at 18, meeting with leaders in the community all the time. 4-H gave me the confidence and opportunity to do that.
- Lilly Cox, Growing Minds Farm Stop assistant manager