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 2023, the Missouri Pork Association selected three youth for the program: Jonathan Bax, Eldon; Naomi Saucedo, Higginsville; and Gabriel Todd, Mountain Grove. Read more about them here.
Scholarship
The Ambassador will receive two 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.
– Scholarship must be used within one year of completion of the program.
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, 2023. Applicants that are chosen to move on to round two selections will be notified by December 21, 2023. 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 Osage Beach on February 20, 2024. 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 2024 Missouri Pork Expo and finish the program with the 2025 Missouri Pork Expo. If the Ambassador is not able to attend one of these events, there are other events that may be substituted.
At the conclusion of the program, the participant may write a summary of their time as the Missouri Youth Pork Ambassador that will be published in the Missouri Pork Today magazine.