Osage Beach, Mo.,—Jonathan Bax, a senior at Eldon High School, has been selected as one of the 2023 Missouri Pork Association Youth Pork Ambassadors. His selection was announced during the 2023 Missouri Pork Expo on February 21 in Osage Beach.
Jonathan is the son of Michael and Elizabeth Bax of Eldon. Jonathan is the owner/operator of a small pork operation; piglets are sold to local FFA members to show while others are sold to consumers in St. Louis. He currently works for Opies Transport cleaning and sanitizing vehicles and equipment. He also works for a local pork producer, where he assists with maintenance and sanitation of barns and the loading/unloading of pigs.
He has been involved with the Missouri 4-H since he was eight, in addition to being a Clover Kid for four years prior and is the 2022-23 vice president. He is also actively involved in FFA and is the current 2nd vice president. He has attended the National FFA Convention for three years and competed at the national level in veterinary science. Jonathan has been inducted into the National English Honor Society, National Honor Society, and participated in the AgriVision Academy held by Northwest Missouri State University.
Jonathan plans to obtain an associate’s degree in agribusiness from State Technical College of Missouri in Linn, then transfer to a four year university for a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness management. Upon graduation, he hopes to pursue a career as a loan officer while growing his market hog operation.
Throughout the next year, Jonathan will participate in various events in the pork industry. At the end of the program, he 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, 2023.
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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