Osage Beach, Mo.,—Carlee Long, a senior at Paris R-II 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.
Carlee is the daughter of Greg and Laura Long from Paris. She currently works on the family farm raising Shorthorn cattle, and Berkshire, Yorkshire and Crossbred show pigs. She also sells show products, show feed and wood chips for bedding. Her show pig and supply sales reach youth swine exhibitors in seven states. Carlee also assists other breeders and exhibitors with their projects and artificial insemination of their gilts.
Carlee is the president of her National Honor Society chapter and is actively involved in her 4-H Club, the Missouri Youth Show Pig Circuit and the Paris FFA. She is currently the Paris FFA Chapter president and is Area IV Vice President. She recently presented at the 94th National FFA Convention, where the chapter was named the Models of Excellence Award Winner. She has competed in many FFA contests, and received 1st at State and 5th in the Nation in the Ag Issues Contest. Carlee also attended the Missouri Legislative Academy through 4-H.
She is on track to graduate in May with 64 dual credit hours, earning her Associate’s Degree from Moberly Area Community College at the same time as her High School Diploma. She plans to attend the University of Missouri in Columbia this Fall, where she will enter as a Junior. Carlee plans to explore opportunities in association or public policy work, as well as careers in seed or chemical sales.
Throughout the next year, Carlee 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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