Polk County Young Cattlemen's Leadership Tour
4-H & Youth
Bridget Stice
EXTENSION AGENT - LIVESTOCK IV
University of Florida
BARTOW
Abstract
Youth that are knowledgeable and possess skills important to the beef industry are better prepared to make a positive contribution to the industry’s future. The Polk County Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Tour was designed to increase knowledge and skills in youth leaders so they would be better prepared to represent the beef industry. Sixteen (16) youth participated. The one-day tour began with a classroom training that provided an overview of the beef industry and guidelines for being a positive representative of the beef industry. This was followed by visits to a feed mill, livestock market, and three (3) commercial cow-calf operations. The day concluded with an activity for the youth to act out “elevator” conversations about beef and participate in mock media interviews. A comparison of participant pre-tests and post-tests, and a follow-up survey indicated a ninety-one percent (91%) percent increase in overall knowledge. Results indicated a ninety-four percent (94%) increase in knowledge of Polk County’s beef industry, a one-hundred percent (100%) increase in knowledge of cow-calf production practices, an eighty-one percent (81%) increase in understanding of the importance of the beef industry to our economy, food supply, and global market; and an eighty-eight percent (88%) increase in knowledge of the issues that are impacting the beef industry. One hundred percent (100%) of the youth demonstrated skills in “elevator” conversations about beef, media interviews, and public speaking. These youth will be better prepared to serve as positive representatives and more likely to contribute to the successful future of the beef industry.
Authors: Carlisle, B.
-
Carlisle, B. Extension Agent - Livestock II, Florida Cooperative Extension, Florida, 33831