The Youth Agricultural Lifetime Leadership opportunity is a 6 day exploration for youth to experience West & South Texas agricultural production practices.Participants will learn the value of technology in livestock & crop production from a commercial perspective. Crop related technology will include the role genetic modification plays in reducing production costs to producers & helps in limiting the use of pesticides. Improved technology in irrigation is critical to producers in the high plains of Texas. Participants will see firsthand how changes in irrigation have improved the efficiency of irrigation for high plains growers. The youth will also see the importance technology plays in dairy production from a feed monitoring standpoint to its role in milk production monitoring of dairy cattle. While many youth are interested in some aspect of agriculture production for a career, many are unfamiliar with all of the job opportunities that exist in commercial agriculture production. One of the primary purposes of the Youth Agriculture Lifetime Leadership tour is to provide them with a tour of some of the premier agriculture universities in the country. While each university may offer differing degree programs, they will notice a similarity in the friendly outgoing educators when it comes to agriculture education. Participants will tour Texas Tech University, West Texas A&M University and Angelo State University. Tour attendees will also be challenged in a variety of ways to improve on their leadership skills as agriculture spokespersons. Participants will see how numerous agricultural related issues are challenged on a daily basis by groups targeting our food supply system. Participants will be provided opportunities to defend agricultural related topics based off of the information they learn from the tour presenters.
The 2021 experience will depart from the Kerr County Extension office in Kerrville on July 11th and return to the Kerr County Extension office on July 16th. The cost to the participants for the 6 days is $200 per a participant submitted with the application. 4-H members that have a strong interest in production agriculture who are outgoing high school freshmen through outgoing seniors are invited to apply and 30 youth will be selected. Application deadline is May 1, 2021. Participants that are not selected for the 2021 Y.A.L.L. Experience will be refunded their $200. Applicants will be notified by May 30, 2021 of their acceptance into the 2021 Youth Agriculture Lifetime Leadership Experience.
*No refunds will be issued after applicants receive their acceptance into the 2021 Youth Agriculture Lifetime Leadership Experience May 30, 2021.
