Agriculture Programs Bring Youth to Texas Tech Campus

Starting Monday through Wednesday the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at Texas Tech University will be highlighted during two summer programs offered to high school students who excel in their 4-H clubs.

Texas Tech has partnered with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension to offer the Texas 4-H Livestock Ambassador Short Course to students. The program takes a look at different opportunities available in higher education for those interested in studying livestock and animal sciences.

“It’s exciting because we get to have the cream of the crop visit our facilities and see what we have to offer in the animal science program here at Texas Tech,” said Moriah Beyers, the coordinator of meat science programs.

The ambassador program is offered at both Texas A&M and Texas Tech with 25 students invited to participate at each campus. The 4-H’ers attend classes and seminars designed to enhance knowledge and skills to become ambassadors for animal science and the livestock industry.

During the course, students are exposed to college level animal science curriculum and discuss topics such as food safety, nutrition, reproduction and animal well being.  Beyers said students also get the opportunity to interact with Texas Tech students to learn more about the animal science program.

After the three-day course, students earn the title of ambassador and are required to log at least 30 hours of service annually helping with 4-H projects and educating fellow students.

This summer, for the first time, Texas Tech will simultaneously host the second part of the ambassador program called the Advocacy Academy. Students who attended the ambassador program the previous year are eligible to apply for the 25 spots open in the Advocacy Academy.

The academy looks deeper into lessons taught in the ambassador program while also covering communication and marketing topics such as media training and how to effectively use social media to promote agriculture.

Beyers said their program is excited to educate the next generation of agricultural industry leaders.

“Texas Tech will benefit from getting exceptional prospective students on campus to meet our faculty, staff and students,” Beyers said. “Hopefully these students will consider attending Texas Tech University when they decide where to further their education.”