Texas A&M connects with youth during Texas FFA Convention
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences imparts importance of agricultural, other careers to FFA youth
With a growing U.S. and world population to feed, the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences strives to inform young people about higher education and career opportunities in agriculture – opportunities that go beyond traditional areas.
To help inspire youth to pursue a higher education dedicated to agriculture and the life sciences, Chris Skaggs, Ph.D., recently spoke at the area officers’ breakfast during the 94th Texas FFA Convention in Fort Worth. Skaggs is associate vice chancellor for stakeholder relations and associate dean for student development.
The National FFA Organization is a countrywide organization providing students a path to achievement in leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.
Promoting agricultural education, careers
The breakfast, sponsored by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, was attended by more than 125 youth.
“I was given the opportunity to tell these future leaders about the unique culture and traditions steeped in Texas A&M University and share high-impact experiential learning opportunities including hands-on laboratories, internships, study abroad, cooperative learning and undergraduate research,” Skaggs said. “I was able to share the breadth and diversity of our 15 academic departments, which range from production agriculture to social and life sciences, natural resources and the environment.”
Skaggs said supporting Texas youth and promoting fields in agricultural and life sciences is paramount to the College and Texas A&M because young people represent the future of the state and nation.
“We want young people to know how important the decisions they make at this juncture of their lives can influence not only their own success but will also have an impact on others,” he said. “This convention brings together 15,000 of the brightest and most passionate youth – we want to do our part to expose them to the wide range of educational and high-impact experiences that are available to them at Texas A&M. It is our mission to develop leaders in agriculture and the life sciences to shape the future.”
To learn more about the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and related career opportunities, visit https://aglifesciences.tamu.edu/.
