Milam County 4-H Ambassadors: Learning, Leading and Giving Back

Milam County 4-H is proud to have a remarkable group of young leaders serving as Texas 4-H Ambassadors in livestock, photography, water, poultry, and health and wellness. These youth are gaining advanced training, exploring careers, serving their communities, and bringing what they learn back home to Milam County. Livestock Ambassadors Milam County has three Texas 4-H Livestock Ambassadors: Wylie Butler, Shawn Leifeste, and Kenzie Hobbs.
Established in 2007, the Texas 4-H Livestock Ambassador Program develops knowledgeable and confident advocates for agriculture. With many Americans now several generations removed from the farm, these youth help bridge the gap between consumers and farmers and ranchers.

Through advanced training and hands-on experiences, ambassadors learn about the livestock industry, explore education and career opportunities, and develop communication skills to advocate for agriculture. They share research-based information through schools, civic organizations, media, social media, livestock shows, and community events.

Kenzie Hobbs recently represented Texas 4-H on the National Livestock Ambassador Trip, traveling through Alaska, California, Idaho, and Washington and gaining a firsthand look at agriculture across the country.

Photography Ambassadors

Milam County’s three Texas 4-H Photography Ambassadors are Luke Holcombe, MaddieBasonic, and Noah Bradley. Photography Ambassadors develop their skills through statewide workshops, field trips, community service, leadership activities, and state-level events. They also help teach other 4-H members and families about photography and serve as photographers at major Texas 4-H events. Milam County ambassadors have participated in photography experiences across Texas,
including San Antonio, Austin, Caddo Lake, Belton, Dallas, and Galveston. Luke Holcombe has also participated in an international trip to Scotland and Ireland and will travel to Greece and Italy in summer 2027.

Water Ambassadors

Milam County has one Tier II Water Ambassador, Luke Holcombe, and two Tier I Ambassadors, Riley Clinard and Kolman Hengst.
The Texas 4-H Water Ambassadors Program, established in 2017, teaches youth about Texas water resources through the 4-H2O Leadership Academy and hands-on experiences. Ambassadors learn how water is collected, treated, conserved, and managed, then share that knowledge through educational and service activities in their communities.

Poultry Ambassadors

Riley Clinard and Caleb Fuchs represent Milam County as Texas 4-H Poultry Ambassadors. Established in 2022, the program prepares youth to become knowledgeable advocates for the poultry industry. Through training and hands-on experiences, ambassadors learn about the industry, explore career opportunities, and develop communication skills to share research-based information with their communities, media, civic organizations, and others. Healthy Texas Youth Ambassadors Milam County also has four Healthy Texas Youth Ambassadors: Noah Bradley, Maddie Basonic, Luke Holcombe, and Jadyn Stokley. The program prepares high school-age youth to become youth health experts who encourage
healthy lifestyle choices in their communities. Ambassadors receive training and work alongside Extension agents to assist with educational programs, project activities, and community outreach.

Bringing It Home

While the travel and training opportunities are exciting, the greatest impact comes when these young people return home and share what they have learned.
All of Milam County’s ambassadors received training this summer and are prepared to bring their knowledge back to local 4-H clubs, schools, families, and community organizations. Whether they are teaching about agriculture, photography, water conservation, poultry, or healthy living, these youth are becoming educators, advocates, volunteers, and leaders.

Milam County 4-H is proud of these ambassadors and the example they are setting for other young people. Their experiences show what 4-H is all about: learning, leading, serving, and making a difference.

For more information about Texas 4-H Ambassador Programs or opportunities to get involved in Milam County 4-H, contact the Milam County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office. Youth interested in developing leadership skills, exploring career opportunities, competing in exciting contests, making lifelong friends, and giving back to their communities are encouraged to join Milam County 4-H. For more information about Milam County 4-H programs, contact the Milam County Extension Office. For more information about Milam County 4-H, please call the
Milam County Extension Office at (254) 697-7045 or email Micah Holcombe, FCH Agent, at mlholcombe@ag.tamu.edu or Josh Evans, AG Agent, at josh.evans@ag.tamu.edu.

Milam County 4-H Facebook Page:
The Milam County 4-H has a facebook page! Please make sure and go in and LIKE the page to get information about Milam County 4-H! 4-H facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/milamcountyfourH 4-H Blasts will be posted on the page as well as contest winners, etc.

The members of Texas A&M AgriLife will provide equal opportunities in programs and activities, education, and employment to all persons regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation or gender identity and will strive to achieve full and equal employment opportunity throughout Texas A&M AgriLife. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating