Livestock Ambassador Program
Our Mission
Our Purpose
Our Results
Leadership
Ambassadors must contribute 40 hours of service in presenting 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. Not only that, ambassadors are charged with seeking and creating animal agriculture advocacy engagements through civic clubs, radio stations, newspapers, television, social media, grocery stores, major livestock shows and elected official interactions.
- 1001 ambassadors trained
- 82,583 hours served
- 2,246,014 people reached
- $1,906,584 monetary impact
- 99.2% college age ambassadors enrolled
Knowledge
“From working in the meat lab at Texas A&M to garnering industry leading knowledge from the most unique agriculturists on the West Coast, each relationship along the way has granted me varying perspectives. In turn, this has allowed me to have a more sustainable voice for all in agriculture. My time and relationships built with the people throughout the entirety of the Ambassador Program has made me the richest person in the world.” - Cooper Ford, Former Livestock Ambassador
Career Development
In 2010, in a research study, students were tested on his/her livestock production knowledge before and after the short course. The exam was 100 questions, multiple choice and short answer. The average before was 49% and elevated to an outstanding 75% at the conclusion of the course. Further investigating knowledge gained students received a livestock production expertise instrument administered pre and post course.
Positive reports of student achievement from our partner universities have become the norm. Livestock Ambassadors are leading student organizations, serving in critical student worker positions, staff for elected officials, national champions in competitive events, serving as ambassadors for his/her university, coordinating educational programs and mentoring new students.
Our Short Courses
Texas A&M- Kingsville Short Course
Texas A&M Short Course
WT/Texas Tech Short Course
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.
