The AG EDbassador Program is a one year program for exceptional high school students who are interested in promoting agricultural education in elementary and middle schools in their area as part of a statewide Ag literacy team. The purpose of this program is threefold: 1) To expose promising high school students to a major in agricultural education through early field experiences; 2) To promote agricultural literacy in elementary and middle schools across the State of Illinois; and 3) To inform elementary and middle school students about the various opportunities available through their local agricultural education program.
2009 AG EDbassador Team
Oscar Alvarado |
Edward Bates |
Hannah Blaney |
Carina Dominguez |
Milton Garrett |
Victor Gomez |
Naomi Harper |
Bria Harvey |
Mahala Kneller |
Selah Lee |
Adam Maxfield |
Rupa Mirmira |
Gregory Morris |
Lorraine Munoz |
Camille Range |
Iyasha Reeves |
Olivia Weathers |
Click here for AG EDbassador Presentation Evaluation Form
Program Benefits
Experience college life firsthand through a 2 week, all expense paid, interactive orientation at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign from July 5-18, 2009.
Learn instructional strategies and presentation techniques taught to agricultural education students to increase comfort in front of an audience and effectiveness of presentations.
Visit Illinois Agribusinesses to learn first-hand current trends in agriculture.
Work with a team of students with similar backgrounds and/or interests to create fun agricultural literacy lessons for elementary and middle school students.
Develop relationships with faculty and students in the College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences (ACES) and the Agricultural Education Program.
Impact Illinois Agricultural Education by teaching younger students about agriculture and promoting the wonderful opportunities available to them if they enroll in their local agricultural education program.
Discover the many career opportunities with a degree in Agricultural Sciences and Leadership Education.
Receive mileage reimbursement for a minimum of 4 presentations, an Ag Edbassador Polo shirt, Ag literacy materials, and fun gifts to give out at the presentations (contingent on funding*).
Receive 2 credits in AGED 295 for completing the program upon entrance into University of Illinois.
A stipend for $400 for attending the orientation.
Optional weekend activities planned for participants who decide to stay on campus.
Preferential consideration for University of Illinois Ag Education scholarships and paid student worker positions.
How to Apply
The application deadline is 5:00PM, Friday, May 8, 2009. Late applications may be considered if space is available for the mandatory summer orientation. Applications will be accepted via US mail to the address below, postmarked no later than Wednesday, May 6, 2009. For those who wish to send digitally, all requested documents can be sent via email as a compressed (zipped) folder to Dr. James C. Anderson II. Please make sure all documents are converted to .pdf files. Click here to view the application.
Cost
FREE. The mandatory summer orientation and trips to presentation locations are covered. The two week orientation, will include cost of housing in residence halls, meals for duration of the orientation, field trips, recreation while on campus, supplies and materials, and student/parent reception. The presentation will include supplies and materials for presentations, a polo shirt, and gifts to give to students.
Participants are responsible for transportation to and from the Urbana campus for summer orientation and a reliable form of transportation for local presentations. After summer orientation, Ag Edbassadors are required to conduct at least 4 presentations in their local area during the 2009-10 school year.
Selection Criteria
Participants are selected on a competitive basis. Applicants should have a good academic record (minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA and a 3.0 GPA in agriculture courses). Applicants must be entering 10th, 11th or 12th grades with a minimum of two Ag courses successfully completed. Selection is based on involvement in extracurricular activities, career and outside interests, responses to short essay questions, Ag teacher recommendation, transcripts, and availability to fulfill responsibilities of the ambassadorship. Consideration will be given to students who are not able to fulfill the Ag course requirement if it is due to limited course availability or academic scheduling conflict. In addition, special consideration will be given to ensure representation in all 5 IAVAT Districts. Selected applicants will be notified by May 15, 2009.
Application Components
Application Form
4 short response questions
List of Experiences & Responsibilities
Ag Teacher Recommendation
Official School Transcripts
Contact Information
Dr. James C. Anderson II
155 Bevier Hall
905 S. Goodwin Ave.
Urbana, IL. 61801
Phone: (217) 244-0285
Fax: (217) 244-7877
Email: jcandrs1@illinois.edu
*This program is a special project funded by the Illinois State Board of Education through the Grow Ag Science Teachers (GAST) Grant.
