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The Missouri Youth Pork Ambassador Program is designed
to provide youth with an opportunity to become actively involved in the
pork industry. The program will help youth develop strong relationships
with both pork producers and allied industry members. It is an
opportunity to learn about pork production and the industry and to
improve communication and leadership skills.
The main goal of the Youth Pork Ambassador is to
promote the Missouri Pork Association and the pork industry at various
events. The successful candidate will gain valuable experience and
develop relationships that will last a lifetime. The Ambassador will
also receive a $1,000 scholarship, payable to a technical school,
community college or 4-year University at the end of the program.
For 2011, the Missouri Pork Association
selected three youth for the program: Andrew Fisher from Middletown,
Caraline Harrelson from Clinton, and Bradley Morgan from Lamar.
Scholarship:
The Ambassador will receive 2 Missouri Youth Pork
Ambassador shirts and will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship, payable to
a technical school, community college or 4-year University at the end of
the program. The Ambassador will be reimbursed for lodging and travel
expenses in accordance with MPA policy.
Rules:
- The applicant must be a senior in high school up to a sophomore in
college as of January 1st of the year they will begin the program.
- Applicants may apply more than once, but may only be selected as an
Ambassador once.
- Applicant must be involved in the pork industry or the son/daughter of
a parent or guardian involved in the pork industry (owner, operator or
allied industry).
- Applicant must be a resident of Missouri.
- Must have own transportation.
- Must continue education at a technical school, community college or
4-year university.
Judging and
Selection:
Judging and selection will take place in two rounds. Round one consists
of an application, three letters of recommendation and a current
transcript. Round two consists of a personal interview.
Round one applications are due by December 15, 2011.
Applicants that are chosen to move on to round two selections will be
notified January 4, 2012. The candidate will then have a personal
interview with a selection panel at the Missouri Pork Association
office. Applicants should be prepared to discuss and demonstrate their
knowledge of pork industry and organizational issues during the
interview process. The selection panel will include a Missouri Pork
Association staff member, an executive committee member and an allied
industry representative.
The Ambassador will be notified at the end of January,
and will be officially announced at the Missouri Pork Expo in Columbia on February
8, 2012. The Ambassador will report to the Missouri Pork Association
Director of Communications.
Duties:
The Ambassador is required to attend six events
throughout the year. The required events are the Missouri Pork
Institute, Missouri Pork Classic Golf Tournament, Governor's Conference
on Agriculture, Missouri State Fair, one Taste of Elegance event, and
the Missouri Pork Expo. The Ambassador will begin the program with the
2012 Missouri Pork Expo and
finish the program with the 2013 Missouri Pork Expo. If the Ambassador
is not able to attend one of these events, there are other events that
may be substituted.
The Ambassador is asked to set up a booth promoting
pork at their local county fair or other public event. The Missouri Pork
Association staff will also assist the Ambassador in finding appropriate
contacts for job shadowing opportunities.
At the conclusion of the program, the participant will
write a summary of their time as the Missouri Youth Pork Ambassador that
will be published in the Missouri Pork Today magazine.
Click here for the Missouri Youth
Pork Ambassador Program application.
Read more about the
2011 Ambassadors...
Read more about the
2010 Ambassadors...
Read more about the
2009 Ambassadors...
Read more about the
2008 Ambassadors...
For more information, contact:
Diane Slater
Director of Communications
Missouri Pork Association
6235 W. Cunningham Drive
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 445-8375
diane@mopork.com
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