Utah Pork Producers
Association
2012 Youth Pork
Ambassador Program
The Utah Youth Pork Ambassador Program is designed to provide youth with an opportunity to become actively involved in the pork industry. The program will give youth hands on experience in the many facets of pork production. Youth will develop strong relationships with the various types of pork producers throughout the state of Utah. Youth will gain a better understanding of the pork industry and develop and improve communication and leadership skills.
The main goal of the Youth Pork Ambassador is to promote the Utah Pork Producers 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 $2,500 scholarship, payable to a technical school, community college or a 4-year university at the end of the program.
SCHOLARSHIP:
The ambassador will receive 2 Utah Youth Pork Ambassador shirts and will be awarded a $2,500 scholarship, payable to a technical school or a 4-year University at the end of the program. The ambassador will be reimbursed for lodging and travel expenses in accordance with the UPPA guidelines.
Rules:
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Applicant must be a junior or senior in high school up to a sophomore in college as of January 1st of the year they will begin the program.
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Applicants may apply more than once, but may only be selected as an Ambassador once.
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Applicant must be directly involved in the pork industry, be a son or daughter of a parent or guardian that is involved in the pork industry or be a member of FFA or 4-H with a swine project for that year.
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It is preferred that the applicant be PQA Pus certified for their age level. If applicant is not PQA Plus certified when chosen as an ambassador, PQA Plus certification process will be made available during ambassadorship.
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Applicant must be a resident of Utah
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Must have own transportation or parents willing to transport to events
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Must continue education at a technical school, community college or a 4-year university
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 20, 2011. Applicants that are chosen to move on to round two selections will be notified by January 5, 2012. The candidate will then have a personal interview with a selection panel at the annual meeting of UPPA held in January. 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 UPPA staff member, an executive committee member and an allied industry representative.
The ambassador will be notified at the end of January. The Youth Pork Ambassador will report to the UPPA Executive Director.
Duties:
The Ambassador will be required to attend various events throughout the year. The required events are the 2 annual meetings of UPPA, 2 days of Farm Field Days, 1 OMS presentation with a trained OMS speaker, the Utah State Fair, AG day at USU,1 county fair swine showing and fitting competition other than the fair that they participate, 2 UPPA sponsored community events and participate in UPPA Pork Institute.
At the conclusion of the program, the participant will write a summary of their time as a UPPA Youth Pork Ambassador that will be presented to the UPPA board.
Download Application Here