Texas 4-H Livestock Ambassador Program

2013 Texas 4-H Livestock Ambassador Short Courses:

Texas A&M University July 15-18, 2013

               Cost: $200

Texas Tech University July 22-24, 2013

               Cost: $150

Selection Criteria:

•  senior aged (14-18) 4-H youth that have exhibited a superior level of ambition regarding their livestock projects

• students with a profound interest in animal science and animal production

• students have shown advanced leadership qualities and a willingness to help others

• County Extension Agent approval

• top 25% class rank

Process:

 A selection committee will review the applications and accept 25 participants per university.

 TEXAS 4-H LIVESTOCK AMBASSADOR PROGRAM

 Mission

 The Texas 4-H Livestock Ambassador program strives to provide high school aged 4-H members the opportunity to develop and practice advanced leadership skills related to mentoring other youth, and to become advocates for animal agriculture.

Objectives

 Prepare youth to serve in leadership capacities in junior livestock programs

across Texas.

• Prepare youth for the experience of the University setting, through intensive

science based instruction and experiences.

• Prepare and provide opportunities for youth to serve in advocacy roles for

animal agriculture,   4-H, and junior livestock programs.

• Develop a heightened awareness of career opportunities in animal agriculture

and advocacy.

History

 The Texas 4-H Livestock Ambassador Program is an in-depth learning experience for selected youth to represent the agricultural industry in Texas. Training includes a short course experience on the campus of either Texas A&M  University or Texas Tech University. During this three/four-day training, more than 30 hours of rigorous instruction by university faculty, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Specialists, and County Extension Agents cover topics such as animal science principles, leadership, career development, and animal agriculture advocacy. Youth also learn the value of giving back to the community.

Once a young person becomes a Texas 4-H Livestock Ambassador they are required to commit at least 30 hours of service annually, in most cases the service goes back to assisting novice 4-H families with their livestock projects and education. Ambassadors conduct and assist with educational livestock project clinics, conduct home project visits, speak to civic groups, assist with livestock shows, speak at agricultural awareness days and advocate for the livestock and agriculture industry across Texas.

In the five years since the inception of the Texas 4-H Livestock Ambassador Program, there have been 147 outstanding  4-H members complete the course and serve in the role of Texas 4-H Livestock Ambassador.   On average, these youth have  volunteered more than 150 contact hours over their year of service. This equates to a value in volunteer time of more than $915,000.

4-H Livestock  Ambassadors  have  presented  topics  in  agriculture  advocacy,  nutrition, selection, daily maintenance and care, showmanship, sportsmanship, preparing new 4-H families for show, and management of show animals during a livestock show. Additionally, the ambassadors teach livestock ethics and animal care to the novice 4-H families. These individuals have represented 4-H at interpretative  events  with such individuals and groups as members of the Texas House of Representatives and Senate, Texas  Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture, County Judges and Commissioners, Livestock Show Management and 4-H Families.