Course promotes networking among rural America’s youth

Ten central Tennessee teens participate in Ambassador Scholarship Program

ColumbiaStudentAmbassador2.jpgCOLUMBIA, Tenn. – October 1, 2007  – Ten students from area high schools in central Tennessee have been chosen to serve as youth ambassadors and participate in a year-long program designed to provide students with an atmosphere in which to gain more agricultural knowledge as well as begin building those work experiences needed after high school graduation.   The Rural America Ambassador Scholarship Program, sponsored by Farm Credit Services of Mid-America in Columbia, Tennessee, allows youth from rural America to learn more about Farm Credit Services, issues surrounding Tennessee agriculture and what careers are available to them post graduation.

The program consists of two major components.  The fall semester, which kicked off September 13th in Spring Hill, Tennessee, will consist of meetings to be held monthly at which the students will have the opportunity to hear presentations from leaders in Tennessee agriculture, including Randy Barbee, Director of Marketing for Farm Credit Services; Tom Womack, Executive Assistant for Public Affairs for the Tennessee Department of Agriculture; Jeff Griggs, Recruitment Specialist for Tennessee Farmers Cooperative; and Rhedona Rose, Director of Public Affairs for Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation.

For the spring semester, the Ambassadors will work together to execute a Family Ag Day, where they will choose a theme and plan the event which will be held in July, 2008. Additionally, the Ambassadors will have the opportunity to vie for a $1,000 college scholarship to be awarded during the Columbia FCS Office’s annual Customer Appreciation Event in August of 2008.

“Now more than ever, projects such as student ambassador programs are necessary to equip our youth with the tools they need to be successful.  As an organization, we are constantly trying to find ways to promote education and provide value to rural America. The best place to start is with our youth,” said Ralph Stewart, vice president – financial services and manager of the Columbia FCS office. Stewart recalled that as a former state FFA officer, he always appreciated businesses spending time with him and encouraging him.  This is one of the primary reasons Stewart endorsed this program.

Lauren Wallace, customer service representative at the Columbia FCS office, added that the Ambassadors will be able to meet and network with very influential members of Tennessee agriculture as well as work and learn from one another during the second phase of the program through their project work.  “It’s critical that we involve our youth in decision making processes and leadership roles early on as these are powerful components of a successful education.  I can think of no better way to prepare them for life at college and eventually life in their chosen careers.” Wallace, who is spearheading the program, went on to say that one of the side benefits of programs such as the ambassador program is students ultimately create friendships and memories that last a lifetime.

ColumbiaStudentAmbassador1.jpgSarah Norman of Thompson Station (pictured right with Tracie Evans of Goodspring) is one of the 10 ambassadors and became interested in the program when her guidance counselor said she had been recommended for the program by her FFA advisor. Sarah says her plans include enrolling in the Veterinarian Program at Texas A&M after graduating Fred J. Page High School in 2009 and attending college in Tennessee.  “I visited Texas A&M’s campus on a 4-H exchange program last year and decided that’s exactly where I wanted to go,” she said.  Sarah went on to say that she is participating in the Ambassador Scholarship Program because it is a way for her to meet new people throughout middle Tennessee who have similar interests as her. She added that the scholarship was an incentive as well.

High school juniors and seniors like Sarah were selected on the basis of recommendations of high school guidance counselors and 4-H and FFA advisors.  The ambassadors must live or work in rural America and demonstrate a desire to continuing education after high school. 

Congratulations to the following individuals who were selected for the 2007-08 program:

  • Jordan Thrasher - Culleoka (Parents: Bill & Sheila Thrasher)
  • Will Batey - Williamsport (Parents: Dan & Anne Batey)
  • Ryan Ring - Spring Hill (Parents: Kevin Ring & Annie Ring)   
  • Meredith Mayfield - Pulaski (Parents: Mike & Susan Mayfield)
  • Tracie Evans - Goodspring (Parents: Randy & Sherry Evans)
  • Nikki Gibson - Pulaski (Parents: Eddie Gibson and Angie Journey)
  • Michelle Fox - Lynnville (Parents: Arlis Fox & Renee Fox)
  • Brooke Allred - Culleoka (Parents: John & Lisa Allred)
  • Samantha Grace Earnest - Columbia (Parent: Ginger Earnest)
  • Sarah Norman - Thompson Station (Parents: Richard and Dot Norman)

About FCS:

Farm Credit Services of Mid-America is a $12 billion financial services cooperative serving over 72,500 farmers, agribusinesses and rural residents in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and Tennessee. The association, which celebrated its 90th anniversary serving rural America in 2006, provides loans for all farm and rural living purposes including real estate, operating, equipment and housing and related services such as crop and life insurance and vehicle, equipment and building leases. For more information about Farm Credit or the nearest FCS office, call 1-800-444-FARM (3276) or visit them on the web at www.e-farmcredit.com.