4-H Youth Attend National Agri-Science Summit
As part of her involvement in a national agri-science summit, Miss Emma Wegner from Central Bridge, New York is partnering with 4-H professionals and representatives from agricultural industry and land-grant universities to teach others about agricultural science and innovation. Miss Wegner, a 4-H member as well as a member of Schoharie Valley FFA, was part of a small delegation from New York State program that joined teams of youth and adults from 13 states at the National Youth Agri-Science Summit sponsored by Merck Animal Health, January 16-20 at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center in suburban Washington DC (Chevy Chase, Maryland). Other members of the New York delegation included Miss Margaret Brownell, Mrs. Maryann Brownell, Miss Kaylah Gulley and Mrs. Kate Gulley all of Greenwich, New York. The National Youth Agri-Science Summit provided numerous opportunities for youth to learn about the latest innovations in agricultural science and technology and to increase their awareness of the careers available in this rapidly expanding field.
The 4-H teens met with representatives from the United States Department of Agriculture, Rutgers University, University of Maryland, Merck Animal Health, and several national agricultural commodity groups and regional agribusinesses to learn about the production of food, feed, fuel, and fiber and the challenges currently facing agriculture in the United States and around the world. The five-day event included field trips to the USDA Beltsville Agricultural Research Center and the University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. An agricultural issues forum, career panel, and several hands-on workshops about global food security, sustainability, and how youth can play a role in teaching others about agricultural science were additional program components of the summit. Session topics included precision agriculture, agricultural biotechnology, biofuels, aquaponics, food safety, the role of robotics in agriculture, and international agricultural development.
All 4-H teen participants in the agri-science summit developed action plans to serve as Champions for Agriculture in their home communities. Emma will be striving to increase the agricultural literacy of the general public and key stakeholders in the months to come with guidance from Cornell Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development staff and Mr. David Marbot, Schoharie Central School agricultural education teacher and advisor to the Schoharie Valley Chapter of FFA.
“It is exciting to work with such a talented, motivated, and dedicated group of young people,” said Chad Ripberger, Program Director for Science at National 4-H Council. “I was very impressed with the level of interactions and discussions these young leaders had with the ag scientists and researchers. It was clear from their poster session presentations that these teens are ready to tackle some of the biggest issues facing agriculture today.”
The National Youth Agri-Science Summit is one of many 4-H Science programs designed to combat a national shortage of young people pursuing science college majors and occupations, and to enhance the nation's contribution to the sciences. Currently, more than five million young people across the nation participate in 4-H science, engineering, and technology year-long programming. Learn more about 4-H at www.4-H.org, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/4-H and Twitter at https://twitter.com/4H.
Today's Merck is a global healthcare leader working to help the world be well. Merck Animal Health, known as MSD Animal Health outside the United States and Canada, is the global animal health business unit of Merck. Merck Animal Health offers veterinarians, farmers, pet owners and governments one of the widest range of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health management solutions and services.
