Judd Went, 17, made his way to Indianapolis to receive a National Agri-Entrepreneurship Award and $1,000 during the 80th National FFA Convention.

Went, the son of Ryan and Jan Went, is one of just 10 FFA members across the United States to earn the award this year.

“Judd’s Lean Lamb,” the second of Went’s two successful micro-businesses, is the FFA project for which he

will be recognized.
“I want to thank my mom and dad,” Went said. “I want to thank my mom for all the help she gave me in applying for and preparing for these awards and my dad because it was through his example of raising hogs as a kid that I learned I wanted to follow in his footsteps with my market lambs.”

Went’s newest venture, Judd’s Lean Lamb, provides a variety of lamb cuts to local grocery stores and area restaurants.

“I seek out restaurants and grocery store owners who value a high-quality, farm fresh, all natural product and who wish to fill a void in their current choices,” Went said.These restaurateurs value the health benefits derived from fresh, wholesome lamb and also wish to satisfy their growing Hispanic clientele.”
Went’s customer base is growing. He recently placed his product at Corner Stop, located at 23rd Street and 3rd Avenue in Columbus.

He plans on marketing further through the Farmers Market in Lincoln next season and through local restaurants by offering samples and recipes for use in their menus.

Went offers his lean lamb in a variety of cuts and prices. His ground lamb is $4.99 per pound; kabobs sell for $6.99 per pound; ribs are $7.99 per pound; butterfly chops bring $11.99 per pound; and a leg of lamb is sold for $12.99 per pound.

“I can take special orders with a seven to 10 day turnaround,” Went said. “The leg of lamb is my favorite and I can also offer recipes and instructions on how to cook lamb for the best results.”

This is not his first foray into the world of entrepreneurial ventures. He began his first small business, Went Club Lambs, five years ago at the age of 12. The goal of his first business was to produce show lambs suitable for county fairs.

“I started raising market lambs when I was only nine or 10 years old,” Went said.

“Show lambs are a different thing altogether. This has been my best year for show lambs.
I sold about 30 this year at between $175 to $300 per head. I enjoy both of my businesses because they give me something to do and something to take pride in. I’ve grown up around this and I always wanted to do it.”

Went’s market for show lambs extends from Polk and Platte Counties to customers in Iowa.

Went said his participation in 4-H and FFA, formerly the Future Farmers of America, has helped him learn the skills and responsibility needed to pursue his projects.

“For me, I would recommend that others get involved in FFA. It has taught me responsibility, how to keep records, how to understand profitability and has given me many friends,” he said. “I enjoy these projects because at the end you can see how the hard work pays off.”

Went is a senior at Lakeview High School and his served as sentinel of his local FFA chapter for the past few years. He is an honor roll student and an all-state honorable mention football player. Went has served as president, secretary and treasurer for his 4-H club.

He plans to attend Northeast College in Norfolk to obtain his degree in animal science and intends to return home after college to work with his father in the family’s livestock production operation.