University of Maine Cooperative Extension 4-H plans to offer its Ag Ambassador program in March and April. The program, open to all Maine teens ages 14-18, focuses on career exploration in the local food system through farm and production visits around the state and provides opportunities to build relationships with industry professionals.
The Spring 2024 cohort will meet virtually on Tuesdays, March 19, 26, April 2 and 9 from 3:30-5 p.m. and in person on Saturdays, March 23 and 30. There will be an overnight Ag Symposium for all participants on Thursday and Friday, April 18 and 19 at UMaine in Orono.
For a full schedule, visit extension.umaine.edu.
With the shrinking number of formal agricultural programs in high schools, students are lacking opportunities to learn about local food systems and discover careers in agriculture. The 4-H Ag Ambassador program aims to help teens from all walks of life discover a future in agriculture and connect with other young people with similar goals, according to a news release from Alisha Targonski with the extension.
Youth involved in this program can pursue their interest in agriculture and explore career pathways. This includes mentoring in post-secondary opportunities, as well as investigating current issues related to food systems, livestock, crop sciences, aquaculture and climate issues impacting food systems and equity. Program participants will serve year-long terms as Agriculture Ambassadors for the Maine 4-H program under the guidance of 4-H staff.
Previous 4-H membership is not required to enroll; register on the program website.
To request reasonable accommodation, email [email protected] or call 207-622-7546. Receiving requests for accommodations at least 10 days before the program provides a reasonable amount of time to meet the request, but all requests will be considered.
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less