Texas Livestock Ambassador Program

The Texas 4-H Livestock Ambassador Program is coming off of a truly groundbreaking year. In 2016, our program added West Texas A&M University and they graciously hosted our group along with Texas Tech University. The addition was an unquestioned success and WT has agreed to host the Livestock Ambassadors again in 2017. In August 2016, 19 Ambassadors boarded a plane in Houston headed for South America. We traveled to Uruguay and Argentina on an international agricultural experience. With visits to family farms, historic ranches, feedlot tours, major agricultural research institutes and various production facilities, Ambassadors were able to immerse themselves in cultural experiences exclusively found in these countries and develop new perspectives of international agriculture. As rewarding as it was for our Ambassadors to be recognized internationally, the program is successful only because of outstanding work you lead locally.

County Extension Agent support and coordination has been the driving force behind this successful program. Please consider approaching potential Texas 4-H Livestock Ambassadors in your county and recruiting he/she to the program.  Our hope is when they return from the course, you will find them to be eager to assist you with educational programs.  Below are the 2017 details and application link. Attached,  you will find a Texas 4-H Ambassador promotional document.

2017 Texas 4-H Livestock Ambassador Short Courses:

Texas A&M University July 17-20, 2017
              Cost: $250

Texas Tech University/West Texas A&M University July 24-27, 2017
              Cost: $250

Selection Criteria:

•             Senior age (14-18) 4-H youth that have exhibited a superior level of ambition regarding his/her 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
•             Top 25% class rank

Application Process:

•             Applicant goes to: http://tamuag.az1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_0JPBcTafCz8b52J

·                Student will complete the application and enter the contact information of supervising County Extension Agent

·                CEA will be automatically emailed a recommendation survey
•             A selection committee will review the applications and accept 25 participants per university
•             Applications are due June 2, 2017. Applicants will be notified by June 16, 2017 regarding application result


If you have any questions regarding the program please feel free to contact me by any means listed.  Cell: 940-886-7129.

My best,

Billy

Billy Zanolini, PhD
Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist
Youth Livestock and Agriculture
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
4180 State Highway 6
College Station, TX 77845
Tel. 979.458.0466<tel:979.458.0466>
Fax. 979.845.6495<tel:979.845.6495>
www.texasyouthlivestock.com<http://www.texasyouthlivestock.com/>
wfzanolini@ag.tamu.edu<mailto:wfzanolini@ag.tamu.edu>