CALL works with youngsters in animal science fields

PRESCOTT – Tessa Stone, from the Nevada County Willisville Clovers 4-H Club, recently attended the 2024 CALL Tour (Careers for Arkansas Livestock Leaders). The four-day out-of-state tour provided senior 4-H’ers the opportunity to visit industry-leading businesses, explore animal science career fields, cultivate professional networks, and develop career-readiness skills. The 4-H’ers toured at the University of Arkansas’ Dale Bumpers College of Agriculture, SEK Genetics, Kansas Department of Agriculture, Cargill, OSU Sheep and Goat Center, Pfeiffer Farms, Express Ranches, and Coulson Show Pigs.

In addition to the tour, selected applicants attended a leadership training comprised of a leadership assessment, creating and practicing elevator speeches, a session on improving their cover letters and resumes, and even teaching them to plan their own workshop. This experience gave youth a skill set that will make them more competitive in future college and job applications.

Each applicant for the CALL Tour underwent a rigorous application process consisting of a resume, cover letter, short essays, and an interview. Tessa Stone was one of 20 students selected to attend the 2024 Call Tour. Sponsoring the tour was the University of Arkansas Dale Bumpers College of Agriculture, Food, and Life Sciences, Farm Credit Services of Western Arkansas, and Arkansas 4-H.

All youth aged 5 to 19 are eligible to join 4-H. 4‑H programs are grounded in the belief that youth learn best by doing. 4-H members complete hands-on projects in areas like science, health, agriculture, and citizenship in a positive environment where they receive guidance from adult mentors and are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles. To learn more about your local 4-H program contact your county’s Cooperative Extension Service office. In Nevada County call 870-887-2818 or email srstone@uada.edu or dwolfe@uada.edu.