ORONO — University of Maine Cooperative Extension 4-H is offering its Ag Ambassador program in March and April. The program, open to Maine teenagers 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 2025 cohort is scheduled to meet from 3:30-5 p.m. virtually beginning Tuesday, March 4, and thereafter on March 11, 25, April 2 and 15, with in-person farm visits on March 22 at Mook Sea Farm in Walpole, a neighborhood in South Bristol, and March 29 at Agri Cycle at Stoneyvale Farm in Exeter. There will be an overnight Ag Symposium for all participants on April 21-22 at UMaine in Orono.

For a full schedule, visit the program website at extension.umaine.edu.

With the shrinking number of formal agricultural programs offered to high school youth, students lack opportunities to learn about local food systems and discover careers in agriculture. The 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 Melissa Arndt 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 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.

This program is open to all Maine youth; previous 4-H membership is not required to enroll. Register on the program website. All participants will be enrolled as members of the Maine 4-H program. To request a reasonable accommodation, contact Alisha Targonski at alisha.targonski@maine.edu or 207-622-7546.

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