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Youth Opportunities

Along with youth membership in the TPPA, there are opportunities throughout the year for students to be involved in the Texas pork industry.  Check below to find out what is coming!

 

2008 Texas Pork Leadership Camp
June 15 - 20, 2008

Sponsored by:

Texas Pork Producers Association & Texas Agrilife Extension

 This is a unique opportunity for 4-H and FFA students that have an interest in swine projects and want to get to know more about the pork industry. The camp is a traveling bus tour and visits at key industry locations for sixteen students and the chaperons. This camp is not like any other camp; it starts in Amarillo and ends in College Station.

PURPOSE:
Give participants an in-depth look at the pork industry through special tours and hands-on learning activities and develop leadership skills to enable them to be effective spokespersons for the pork industry.

ELIGIBILITY:
1.      4-H or FFA members who will be enrolled during the 2008-09 school year as high school juniors or seniors and this year’s high school graduates.

2.      Have a definite interest in the pork industry and/or swine projects.

3.      Are willing to speak out for the pork industry through public appearances.

4.      Interested in devoting six days of long hours to meeting interesting people and gaining a wealth of knowledge pertaining to the pork industry.

5.      Must be a approved by a selection process that will include evaluation of the written application and interviews (in-person and/or by telephone).

6.      If accepted, students must complete Pork Quality Assurance for Youth CD-ROM and provide completion confirmation to TPPA at the beginning of the camp.

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT and HANDS-ON LEARNING EXPERIENCES:
Each individual participating in the camp will be required to give two three-minute oral presentations and work together with other participants for one team oral presentation. Each student will receive media training and participate in a mock television interview. They will also be required to participate in a quiz bowl at the end of the camp. The camp leaders will provide assistance for all of these activities.  Each individual will be involved in the actual harvesting and processing of live swine. Individual participation is required in all of these activities. Do not register for this camp if the student is not eager and serious about learning and participating in these public speaking and meat processing activities.

COST:
A $350 fee will be required for each participant, paid upon acceptance to participate. (Please do not send fee with application.) All other expenses, except for transportation to Amarillo and from College Station, will be assumed by the Texas Pork Producers Association and Texas Agrilife Extension. Participants may want some money for personal spending. If you have problems with the fee, please call your County Agricultural Extension Agent or your Agricultural Science Instructor for a possible fee scholarship from the FFA program or the county 4-H program.

 APPLICATIONS:
An application form for prospective participants is posted on the right. Please feel free to print as many as necessary to permit all interested 4-H and FFA members to apply. Candidates should mail their application to the address listed on the application or fax it directly to the Texas Pork Producers Association at 512-451-5536. 

All TPLC applications must be received no later than April 18, 2008.

 

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"STAND PROUD IN THE LONE-STAR STATE"
AT THE NJSA NATIONAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

The National Junior Swine Association will hold its seventh-annual national youth leadership conference in San Antonio, Texas, on May 9-11, 2008. The theme for this year's conference is "Stand Proud in the Lone-Star State." Youth ages 14-21 will be challenged to make the most of their opportunities in life while broadening their knowledge of important swine industry issues.

Youth Leadership Conference applications are due to the National Swine Registry by April 9, 2008.  For an application and more information about this opportunity please call the National Swine Registry office at (765) 463-3594 or visit NJSA online.