Equine Ambassador Program
Our Mission
Our Purpose
- Prepare youth to serve in leadership capacities in Horse projects and programs across Texas.
- Prepare youth for higher education, through intensive science-based instruction and experiences in a university setting.
- Prepare and provide opportunities for youth to serve in advocacy roles for the Equine Industry, 4-H, and the horse programs.
- Develop a heightened awareness of career opportunities in the equine industry and advocacy.
Our Results
Through the creation of the Texas 4-H Equine and Livestock Ambassador Programs a new generation of knowledgeable, educated, and well-spoken youth will emerge in Texas to teach other youth and adults the skills of being good stewards, producers, and exhibitors of horses and livestock. These young people will begin a new generation of equine and livestock industry professionals.
- 1001 ambassadors trained
- 82,583 hours served
- 2,246,014 people reached
- $1,906,584 monetary impact
- 99.2% college age ambassadors enrolled in higher education
The Equine Short Course
Ambassadors are exposed to various topics in the equine industry such as: reproduction, nutrition, dentistry, and veterinary science. Beyond the classroom, ambassadors get to have hands on experience by visiting renowned horse ranches and facilities such as the Four Sixes, Timbercreek Veterinarian Hospital, and Scivally Ranch.
Advocacy Academy
The Advocacy Academy is confronting the challenge of a lack of agricultural literacy and misinformation by an increasing number of Texans. Hosted in the Texas Capitol, Ambassadors hear from industry leaders in agricultural policy, law, agricultural environmental impact, labor challenges, and eminent domain. However, the central feature of the course are three independent media trainings where students are challenged to advocate on agricultural issues. Educational partners provide the elite training providing Ambassadors honest feedback to improve communication skills. Ambassadors emerge with a better understanding of the political process, credible threats, and effective advocacy strategies to implement each of our young leaders.
The Texas 4-H Livestock Equine and Poultry 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.
