Texas Pork Leadership Camp

Who can attend? 4-H or FFA members who:
1. Will be enrolled during the 2012-13 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. Are interested in devoting 5 1/2 days of long hours to meeting interesting people and gaining a wealth of knowledge pertaining to the pork industry
5. Must be approved by a selection process that will include evaluation of the written application and interviews (in-person and/or by telephone)
6. If accepted, must complete online Quality Counts or Youth PQA Plus training before arriving for Camp.

Texas Pork Leadership Camp is a unique opportunity for 16 high school students to experience the Texas pork industry from "Conception to Consumption." This Camp give an in-depth view into all aspects of the pork industry, while engaging students in issues and activities concerning the pork industry. The Pork Leadership Camp teaches leadership, teamwork, public speaking, and other personal skills while the participants are learning about the pork industry.

The goal of Texas Pork Leadership Camp is to provide select 4-H and FFA students with an excellent learning opportunity about the pork industry and assist in developing and improving their leadership and communication skills, and to create well-informed advocates of the pork industry.

Texas Pork Leadership Camp is a week-long bus tour throughout the state of Texas and part of Oklahoma that enables students to tour production facilities, packing plants, processing plants, wholesale and retail markets, universities and other facilities which encompass the pork industry in Texas. For 5 1/2 days and nights the students travel, live, and work together as teams and individuals in the most hands-on experience available to 4-H and FFA students. Throughout the Camp the students are engaged in media training, real life industry situations, discussion sessions and daily educational assignments.

Cost is $350, if accepted. Applications are due by April 16, 2012.

Interested? Contact the Extension office to get the application and informational packet.