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.
