Osage Beach, Mo.,—Ava Laut, a senior at Fredericktown High School, has been selected as one of the 2022 Missouri Pork Association Youth Pork Ambassadors. Her selection was announced during the 2022 Missouri Pork Expo on February 8 in Osage Beach.
Ava is the daughter of Donald and Michelle Laut. Ava has worked on the family hog farm, Jayce Mountain Pork, in the farrowing building. She is responsible for checking sows during farrowing and taking care of the piglets after birth. Ava also raises rabbits and cleans houses for the neighbors.
She is a member of the local 4-H Club, Fredericktown FFA and Student Council, and has participated in cross country and track. She also participated in the Missouri Agribusiness Academy during her sophomore year.
Ava plans to utilize the A+ Program and attend the local junior college to obtain her Associate’s Degree. Upon graduation, she hopes to work full time on the family farm.
Throughout the next year, Ava will participate in various events in the pork industry. At the end of the program, she will receive a $1,000 scholarship, payable to a technical school, community college or four-year university.
Qualified applicants must be involved in the pork industry or the son/daughter of a parent or guardian involved in the pork industry, and between their senior year of high school and sophomore year of college as of January 1, 2022.
The Missouri Youth Pork Ambassador program combines a scholarship opportunity with the chance to actively participate in Missouri’s pork industry. It provides an opportunity for youth to develop strong relationships with both pork producers and allied industry members, while improving communication and leadership skills.
The Missouri Pork Association represents the state’s pork producers in the areas of promotion, research, education and public policy. For more information about this or any other programs of the Missouri Pork Association, go to www.mopork.com, or call the Missouri Pork Association office at (573) 445-8375.
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