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4-H Ambassador Program
Special guest, State 4-H staff member Ms. Debra Lloyd sits down with Cobie and John to talk about the 4-H State Ambassador Program.
Transcript:
Announcer: This is 4-H-4-U-2, a podcast from the Mississippi State University Extension Service promoting 4-H programs and positive youth development. Here now your host, Dr. John Long and Cobie Rutherford.
John Long: All right. This is 4-H-4-U-2, and I'm your host, John Long, and who is that sitting over there?
Cobie Rutherford: This is Cobie Rutherford.
John Long: Yeah, always.
Cobie Rutherford: I'm in a different seat today.
John Long: Yes, you are.
Cobie Rutherford: We've got a special guest.
John Long: Like you're way over there.
Cobie Rutherford: I know. Hey, John.
John Long: Hey, Cobie. Yeah, we do have a special guest today and it is Ms. Debra Lloyd, and she is in the State 4-H office. And Debra, how are you doing today?
Debra Lloyd: I'm doing great.
John Long: Good.
Debra Lloyd: Thank y'all for having me.
John Long: Oh, we are so excited. It's like I'm kind of sandwiched between Debra and Cobie office-wise. We talked about office space. Well, I'm right in the middle of them so I can holler for one and then holler for the other one, so I feel very privileged to do so. And Debra, to me is... Debra, you started, you and Cobie started in the state office the same time, right? It was in the same-
Debra Lloyd: Yeah, we started September of last year, September 5th as a matter of fact.
John Long: Wow, almost a year.
Debra Lloyd: Right.
Cobie Rutherford: And I feel like we've worked together forever, Debra. I don't know about you but-
Debra Lloyd: Right. So sitting here with this sandwiched in, it's just more like family just getting us all together.
John Long: There you go.
Debra Lloyd: Yeah.
Cobie Rutherford: It's been fun.
John Long: And, and Debra and I actually worked together, Debra when was it? We were talking about this the other day. When was it that you worked in the 4-H department before?
Debra Lloyd: I came toward the end of 2006 through 2009.
John Long: Okay. Okay.
Debra Lloyd: And I left there, I left here, then and went to center for Continuing Ed.
John Long: Okay.
Debra Lloyd: And just feel good to be back here with 4-H, just great to get home.
John Long: Yeah. So you and I worked together about two years and before you went to Continuing Ed, you said?
Debra Lloyd: Right. Right.
John Long: Yeah. And so I've got some, I don't know if they going to be funny, maybe funny to me, I guess. But Debra Lloyd stories, you want to hear them?
Debra Lloyd: Yes. Please.
John Long: Okay.
Debra Lloyd: Let's hear them.
John Long: So, now it's not funny. It's more of a Debra Lloyd memory. I'll say it that way. But anyway, it's probably, it isn't probably my first, I think it was my first state invitational that we had with 4-H safety. And she's laughing because she knows, I think she knows what she's doing. So she's coming down to the event. She had asked me, she said, is anything I can do? I said, sure. Yeah, we'll go on the archery range. So anyway, I realize once we get started that I don't have enough pencils, or wait a minute. No, I had plenty of pencils. I just had nothing to sharpen them with. And so Debra is on her way down and I just panicked and said, Debra, can you please stop and get some pencils? Sharpeners.
John Long: But Debra did not spare any expense. She bought, she didn't buy it just those little screw types. She brought electric pencil sharpeners to the van. So we were sitting there and just, yeah, so and battery, she even bought extra batteries.
Cobie Rutherford: That's awesome.
John Long: Always prepared, always prepared.
Debra Lloyd: That was that 4-H instinct. Always be prepared.
John Long: Always be-
Debra Lloyd: Have enough.
John Long: Right. Even though I wasn't, yeah, I've found myself lacking on that. But, but yeah, I do remember that. And there was another time, it was right after, I guess in right after you had left 4-H the first time. Cobie, I went to the doctor's office and I was sitting there and I was sitting in the room, and all of a sudden Debra Lloyd walks and she's going to take my blood pressure. I was like, well, this is kind of a shock. I said well hey Debra. So, so yeah, you've had a quite extensive career in a lot of things, haven't you?
Debra Lloyd: Oh, absolutely. Variety for me is just key.
John Long: There you go. There you go. Well-
Cobie Rutherford: Lot of skill sets.
John Long: Yeah, absolutely. Well, tell us a little bit about yourself Debra. Where are you from and how did you come to be where you are now?
Debra Lloyd: Okay, I'm Debra Lloyd, I'm from Indianola, Mississippi. Born and bred. I lived in Greenville for a number of years and then moved to Starkville. I have an undergrad in medical technology to talk about some of the skill sets. And I worked as a medical technologist for about nine years in the Mississippi Delta, starting at Delta Regional and King Daughters hospital. I left there, I travel some to Mount Bayou and worked there, got some training and took those skills back to Greenville. We opened up a satellite clinic. And so I kind of spearheaded that clinic in the layup. For me, when I just said variety is so key, after doing that for a number of years, I just kind of wanted to do something different. So one day I walked over to the courthouse and I saw all these cars out there and I was looking for a different role. And so the young lady told me I heard of extension service, but I didn't know exactly what all they did.
Debra Lloyd: So the young lady at the courthouse, she said, I think they're hiring over at the extension center. So I went over and at that time they had a lady named Debbie Graham. She was working with a program called Bright Futures. So with Bright Futures program, they gave me an application. They had two positions, one as an educator and the other one was called early identification worker. So guess what I asked?
John Long: What?
Debra Lloyd: I said, "I would like to apply for the one with least paperwork." So she said, "That's the early identification work." So I applied for that job.
John Long: Smart. That was very smart.
Debra Lloyd: Right.
John Long: Very smart.
Debra Lloyd: So needless to say, I got the job, it was a grant funded position. It lasted for five years.
John Long: Wow.
Debra Lloyd: However, I went home and I told everybody, I said, "Oh y'all, I'm going to be working at the sheriff department." And for those of you who've gone over and nowhere, Washington County extension office is, is right next door to the sheriff department.
John Long: Yes it is.
Debra Lloyd: All the sheriff cars were there. So I thought I was working at sheriff department. Okay. So they'll-
John Long: Well, close enough to it.
Debra Lloyd: Right. So that was a great entry into learning what extension is and all about community around there.
John Long: Do you know, that's one of my favorite extension offices in the state?
Debra Lloyd: Oh really?
John Long: I've been to a lot of them and I cannot, I don't know why, but I always loved going to that extension office.
Debra Lloyd: Yeah.
John Long: I've been there several times.
Debra Lloyd: Great people there.
John Long: It is.
Debra Lloyd: Great work experience.
John Long: Very good. Very good.
Debra Lloyd: So well-
John Long: Not that all of them aren't special. I'm just saying, I'm just throw that in there. Go ahead. I'm sorry.
Debra Lloyd: So how did I get here with you guys? Okay.
John Long: Yeah, that's a story.
Debra Lloyd: That's another story, I was working with a program, a lot of grant funded program. So this one was Operation Military Keys.
John Long: Oh I love this one.
Debra Lloyd: Oh I love that program.
John Long: I remember.
Debra Lloyd: Because it was a giving opportunity,
John Long: Very much so.
Debra Lloyd: Give back and working with military youth. So because I was volunteering for that program, the director at that time said they needed a coordinator for the position. And with my kids being grown or nearly grown, my daughter, I said, "Okay, I'll take it." So I moved here.
John Long: Right.
Debra Lloyd: And coming here with the understanding that it was a grant program again and it was for three years, and they said contingent on the availability of funds. So when the funds run out, then the job would end.
John Long: Right.
Debra Lloyd: And so, but I'm so adventurous. I was just going to try it, and I did. And I moved to Starkville. So wow. Here I am.
John Long: I love military kids because they make backpacks and stuff like that. I love that.
Debra Lloyd: We did that.
John Long: I love that.
Debra Lloyd: I got to travel all over the state of Mississippi at each deployment, and so that was great.
John Long: That's awesome. That's awesome.
Cobie Rutherford: That is pretty cool. I hate that we don't have that program now.
John Long: Is it still going anywhere?
Debra Lloyd: It is.
John Long: Okay.
Debra Lloyd: Some States still have it. It's so needed. I wish we did have it here in Mississippi because just coming up from today, from a program where there were over 67 kids and to just see these young people, how they get excited about the little things that we do.
John Long: Right.
Debra Lloyd: And when you talk about Mississippi State, I did some encouraging words as well as passed out the certificates that had Mississippi State University. And so they are so proud to get that. So anything coming from Mississippi State University to young people into the community as a whole, it just set the stage.
John Long: Right.
Debra Lloyd: It does wonders.
John Long: Yeah, that's awesome.
Cobie Rutherford: That is awesome.
John Long: So going from military kids, and then after that left and you went elsewhere and then coming back, what now is your, what capacity are you working as far as in the 4-H department now?
Debra Lloyd: Okay. I just like to start by saying I'm excited that Mississippi State University 4-H youth development has a leadership program.
John Long: Right.
Debra Lloyd: And so I am working with the leadership team. The youth leaders are so vital and that they become adult leaders.
John Long: Right. And if they don't know who the ambassadors are in these leadership positions in the specific areas, they use, those that are listening that are familiar with 4-H, those are the green jackets that you say.
Debra Lloyd: Those are the green jackets, yeah.
John Long: Yeah, they stick out. They stick out. But anyway, I'm sorry I interrupted you, but I wanted to throw that in there.
Debra Lloyd: Yeah. So just talking about leadership as a whole, I'd say what better way to be influenced and develop these young people's skills and their styles and their practices is through 4-H.
John Long: That's right.
Debra Lloyd: And through the leadership team.
John Long: Right.
Debra Lloyd: Now you asked me about the ambassadors. Ambassadors fall under the leadership citizenship umbrella.
John Long: Right. I guess I was getting ahead of myself a little bit, but go ahead. Yes.
Debra Lloyd: Okay. So ambassadors, they are self motivated young people between the ages of 15 and 19.
John Long: Senior quote unquote senior.
Debra Lloyd: Right.
John Long: Checking.
Debra Lloyd: Absolutely. They're enthusiastic leaders who promote 4-H using the skills, using the knowledge, using the leadership abilities that they acquire through 4-H, and so being a 4-H, sure. I didn't grow up as a 4-H but these 4-H members, they have lots and lots of opportunities.
John Long: Right.
Debra Lloyd: Through the residents, through the community leaders, through elected officials and through non 4-H members. Another thing I say, 4-H ambassadors, they serve to strengthen, they serve to strengthen other youth.
John Long: Right.
Debra Lloyd: And they're mentors of other youth, they're the voice of 4-H members of Mississippi. Yeah.
Cobie Rutherford: So I think that that's just a great program. And for me, looking from the outside in at the ambassadors and what all they bring to the table, they're all always just so willing to jump in and help out with things. It seems like Debra, when you ask them to, who would be willing to come and do this or that, it seems like that you always have a good positive response, and it just they're eager to help out.
Debra Lloyd: Right. You're so correct in that Cobie, they are eager. Again, they're enthusiastic and I think that's one of the reasons I like working with these youth because they bring a certain amount of energy-
John Long: They do.
Debra Lloyd: To the table.
John Long: Yeah.
Cobie Rutherford: For sure.
Debra Lloyd: And I definitely won't say my age here, sitting among all of you and because-
John Long: You're so much younger than us, that's why.
Debra Lloyd: Oh, thank you. I like that. But yeah, they bring that extra energy and help to make us feel vibrant and useful. And so that's so needed, too.
John Long: I agree with you. Anytime I get to work with any of the leadership or say ambassadors, I still get that leadership team stuck in my brain.
Debra Lloyd: Me too.
John Long: But it's ambassadors, anytime I get to work with them, I just feel kind of energized around them because I don't know, it just, I love working with them. There's so much fun because of what Cobie said. They're very passionate about what they do and they give it their all.
Debra Lloyd: And you know what else I think is cool is how they're peer role models for the younger children. Younger kids come to 4-H Congress, they see those green jackets, and they see the youth who are helping out with workshops and contest and yeah, I think they set a really good example for them younger ones.
John Long: They sure do, that's for sure. And to see them judge the exhibits at project achievement day. I know they do a lot of that.
Debra Lloyd: Yeah, this is going to be a new experience for me. Speaking of that tomorrow working with the project achievement day.
John Long: Yes.
Debra Lloyd: Yeah.
John Long: Northeast project achievement day is going to be tomorrow. Turn in.
Debra Lloyd: Well, another thing about the ambassadors and the green jackets that you mentioned, it's not just something they just hand you. They are requirements to become an ambassador.
John Long: Why don't you tell us what those requirements are.
Debra Lloyd: Okay. Some of the qualifications are you must be enrolled as a 4-H member. Okay. You must be at least 15 years of age and they say by January 1 of that current starting member year, they should be high school in that range that you mentioned earlier, John, sophomore, junior, or senior year. They must have completed at least a full year as an active 4-H member. And some other qualifications, they must have participated or demonstrated some leadership abilities through developmental activities. Then two, they should have a diverse knowledge of total what 4-H is all about and in that you have an application process. They fill out like a five or six page application talking about these experiences and they go through an interview process, and that's held during Club Congress. So some benefits, they get the opportunity to develop their leadership and communication skills. They get to travel, they get to interact with other 4-H'ers from all over the state Mississippi.
John Long: They just do a lot of stuff.
Debra Lloyd: They really do.
Cobie Rutherford: They do a lot of stuff.
John Long: I got to be, excuse me, I got to be a part of the helping you with the interviews, which was kind of year or two for me doing that and I just love it. I love to see them come in with their enthusiasm and even maybe sometimes a little nerves, but they go into that and you know that that's teaching them a very valuable experience about being in front of people like we'd spoken about earlier in another podcast. The fact of the matter is that that's life and that's what they're going to be faced with is for job interviews and from here on out, this is going to be some very good life skills that they're learning as an ambassador that they're going to take with them for the rest of their life for sure.
Debra Lloyd: Oh absolutely. I agree with you. One other thing with the, you have officers too under the leadership, president, vice president, secretary and different roles and they are elected just like other elected officials.
John Long: Right.
Debra Lloyd: So they don't go through the interview process. They are elected among their peers.
John Long: And right. And that's a very neat process to even see it during Congress too, we were talking about it in our State Congress. Well Debra, tell us now, if a young person is interested in becoming an ambassador team member, how exact, where do they need to go to find information on that?
Debra Lloyd: Yeah, they should go to their local extension office. They are 82 counties and all counties have a office and the agent, be it a 4-H agent, ag agent, counter director. They could help those young people because the information we have here, it's sent to the county offices.
John Long: Right.
Debra Lloyd: And so they have direct contact with us. They can either call here or mainly go through their agent and volunteers in their perspective county.
John Long: And we also have something on our website too, don't we?
Debra Lloyd: Of course we do.
John Long: Yeah, and that's extension.msstate.edu.
Debra Lloyd: Correct.
John Long: And you can go and we actually have a leadership tab. If you go into 4-H, don't we?
Debra Lloyd: Oh yes, please go to 4-H, scroll down, go to leadership citizenship, click on that. Then it will show you 4-H ambassadors.
John Long: That's one of them.
Debra Lloyd: And once they do that, you have the application process. We have a manual. So the information is out there. If not, give us a call at the extension State's office or go to [email protected].
John Long: Well I can guarantee you one thing, and I say this, and I feel so fortunate to be able to work with Debra because Debra, if you can't tell it, she is always smiling and I never see her down. So it's always good to come into an office where I can get a smile every day.
Debra Lloyd: I don't know if you can-
John Long: Thank you.
Debra Lloyd: I don't know if you can detect that in my voice today because I have some nerves all down my spine.
John Long: No, you've done fine. You've done fine.
Cobie Rutherford: This was fun.
John Long: But yeah, we appreciate you coming in so much, Debra and taking the time to talk to us about ambassadors. Young people are our future and they're our investment. And I think the ambassador program is just one of those examples of how 4-H can take a young person and transform them into a confident, caring adult for our future and we're giving the future to them. So I think you're doing a great job and keep up the good work.
Debra Lloyd: Well, I appreciate you so much. Thank you for having me. And I just hope the word get out there to all these young people.
John Long: Absolutely.
Debra Lloyd: Keep up the good work.
John Long: abs .
Cobie Rutherford: Thanks a lot, Debra.
John Long: Yeah.
Debra Lloyd: You're welcome.
John Long: Thank you so much.
Debra Lloyd: Thank you.
John Long: Well, thank you all for tuning in to 4-H4U2 this week. We hope you'll come back next episode and visit with us. And until then, I'm John Long.
Debra Lloyd: And I'm Cobie.
John Long: And we'll talk to you later.
Announcer: This is 4-H4U2, a podcast from the Mississippi State University extension service promoting 4-H programs and positive youth development. Here now, your host, Dr. John Long and Cobie Rutherford.
View all episodes
By Mississippi State Extension 4-HSpecial guest, State 4-H staff member Ms. Debra Lloyd sits down with Cobie and John to talk about the 4-H State Ambassador Program.
Transcript:
Announcer: This is 4-H-4-U-2, a podcast from the Mississippi State University Extension Service promoting 4-H programs and positive youth development. Here now your host, Dr. John Long and Cobie Rutherford.
John Long: All right. This is 4-H-4-U-2, and I'm your host, John Long, and who is that sitting over there?
Cobie Rutherford: This is Cobie Rutherford.
John Long: Yeah, always.
Cobie Rutherford: I'm in a different seat today.
John Long: Yes, you are.
Cobie Rutherford: We've got a special guest.
John Long: Like you're way over there.
Cobie Rutherford: I know. Hey, John.
John Long: Hey, Cobie. Yeah, we do have a special guest today and it is Ms. Debra Lloyd, and she is in the State 4-H office. And Debra, how are you doing today?
Debra Lloyd: I'm doing great.
John Long: Good.
Debra Lloyd: Thank y'all for having me.
John Long: Oh, we are so excited. It's like I'm kind of sandwiched between Debra and Cobie office-wise. We talked about office space. Well, I'm right in the middle of them so I can holler for one and then holler for the other one, so I feel very privileged to do so. And Debra, to me is... Debra, you started, you and Cobie started in the state office the same time, right? It was in the same-
Debra Lloyd: Yeah, we started September of last year, September 5th as a matter of fact.
John Long: Wow, almost a year.
Debra Lloyd: Right.
Cobie Rutherford: And I feel like we've worked together forever, Debra. I don't know about you but-
Debra Lloyd: Right. So sitting here with this sandwiched in, it's just more like family just getting us all together.
John Long: There you go.
Debra Lloyd: Yeah.
Cobie Rutherford: It's been fun.
John Long: And, and Debra and I actually worked together, Debra when was it? We were talking about this the other day. When was it that you worked in the 4-H department before?
Debra Lloyd: I came toward the end of 2006 through 2009.
John Long: Okay. Okay.
Debra Lloyd: And I left there, I left here, then and went to center for Continuing Ed.
John Long: Okay.
Debra Lloyd: And just feel good to be back here with 4-H, just great to get home.
John Long: Yeah. So you and I worked together about two years and before you went to Continuing Ed, you said?
Debra Lloyd: Right. Right.
John Long: Yeah. And so I've got some, I don't know if they going to be funny, maybe funny to me, I guess. But Debra Lloyd stories, you want to hear them?
Debra Lloyd: Yes. Please.
John Long: Okay.
Debra Lloyd: Let's hear them.
John Long: So, now it's not funny. It's more of a Debra Lloyd memory. I'll say it that way. But anyway, it's probably, it isn't probably my first, I think it was my first state invitational that we had with 4-H safety. And she's laughing because she knows, I think she knows what she's doing. So she's coming down to the event. She had asked me, she said, is anything I can do? I said, sure. Yeah, we'll go on the archery range. So anyway, I realize once we get started that I don't have enough pencils, or wait a minute. No, I had plenty of pencils. I just had nothing to sharpen them with. And so Debra is on her way down and I just panicked and said, Debra, can you please stop and get some pencils? Sharpeners.
John Long: But Debra did not spare any expense. She bought, she didn't buy it just those little screw types. She brought electric pencil sharpeners to the van. So we were sitting there and just, yeah, so and battery, she even bought extra batteries.
Cobie Rutherford: That's awesome.
John Long: Always prepared, always prepared.
Debra Lloyd: That was that 4-H instinct. Always be prepared.
John Long: Always be-
Debra Lloyd: Have enough.
John Long: Right. Even though I wasn't, yeah, I've found myself lacking on that. But, but yeah, I do remember that. And there was another time, it was right after, I guess in right after you had left 4-H the first time. Cobie, I went to the doctor's office and I was sitting there and I was sitting in the room, and all of a sudden Debra Lloyd walks and she's going to take my blood pressure. I was like, well, this is kind of a shock. I said well hey Debra. So, so yeah, you've had a quite extensive career in a lot of things, haven't you?
Debra Lloyd: Oh, absolutely. Variety for me is just key.
John Long: There you go. There you go. Well-
Cobie Rutherford: Lot of skill sets.
John Long: Yeah, absolutely. Well, tell us a little bit about yourself Debra. Where are you from and how did you come to be where you are now?
Debra Lloyd: Okay, I'm Debra Lloyd, I'm from Indianola, Mississippi. Born and bred. I lived in Greenville for a number of years and then moved to Starkville. I have an undergrad in medical technology to talk about some of the skill sets. And I worked as a medical technologist for about nine years in the Mississippi Delta, starting at Delta Regional and King Daughters hospital. I left there, I travel some to Mount Bayou and worked there, got some training and took those skills back to Greenville. We opened up a satellite clinic. And so I kind of spearheaded that clinic in the layup. For me, when I just said variety is so key, after doing that for a number of years, I just kind of wanted to do something different. So one day I walked over to the courthouse and I saw all these cars out there and I was looking for a different role. And so the young lady told me I heard of extension service, but I didn't know exactly what all they did.
Debra Lloyd: So the young lady at the courthouse, she said, I think they're hiring over at the extension center. So I went over and at that time they had a lady named Debbie Graham. She was working with a program called Bright Futures. So with Bright Futures program, they gave me an application. They had two positions, one as an educator and the other one was called early identification worker. So guess what I asked?
John Long: What?
Debra Lloyd: I said, "I would like to apply for the one with least paperwork." So she said, "That's the early identification work." So I applied for that job.
John Long: Smart. That was very smart.
Debra Lloyd: Right.
John Long: Very smart.
Debra Lloyd: So needless to say, I got the job, it was a grant funded position. It lasted for five years.
John Long: Wow.
Debra Lloyd: However, I went home and I told everybody, I said, "Oh y'all, I'm going to be working at the sheriff department." And for those of you who've gone over and nowhere, Washington County extension office is, is right next door to the sheriff department.
John Long: Yes it is.
Debra Lloyd: All the sheriff cars were there. So I thought I was working at sheriff department. Okay. So they'll-
John Long: Well, close enough to it.
Debra Lloyd: Right. So that was a great entry into learning what extension is and all about community around there.
John Long: Do you know, that's one of my favorite extension offices in the state?
Debra Lloyd: Oh really?
John Long: I've been to a lot of them and I cannot, I don't know why, but I always loved going to that extension office.
Debra Lloyd: Yeah.
John Long: I've been there several times.
Debra Lloyd: Great people there.
John Long: It is.
Debra Lloyd: Great work experience.
John Long: Very good. Very good.
Debra Lloyd: So well-
John Long: Not that all of them aren't special. I'm just saying, I'm just throw that in there. Go ahead. I'm sorry.
Debra Lloyd: So how did I get here with you guys? Okay.
John Long: Yeah, that's a story.
Debra Lloyd: That's another story, I was working with a program, a lot of grant funded program. So this one was Operation Military Keys.
John Long: Oh I love this one.
Debra Lloyd: Oh I love that program.
John Long: I remember.
Debra Lloyd: Because it was a giving opportunity,
John Long: Very much so.
Debra Lloyd: Give back and working with military youth. So because I was volunteering for that program, the director at that time said they needed a coordinator for the position. And with my kids being grown or nearly grown, my daughter, I said, "Okay, I'll take it." So I moved here.
John Long: Right.
Debra Lloyd: And coming here with the understanding that it was a grant program again and it was for three years, and they said contingent on the availability of funds. So when the funds run out, then the job would end.
John Long: Right.
Debra Lloyd: And so, but I'm so adventurous. I was just going to try it, and I did. And I moved to Starkville. So wow. Here I am.
John Long: I love military kids because they make backpacks and stuff like that. I love that.
Debra Lloyd: We did that.
John Long: I love that.
Debra Lloyd: I got to travel all over the state of Mississippi at each deployment, and so that was great.
John Long: That's awesome. That's awesome.
Cobie Rutherford: That is pretty cool. I hate that we don't have that program now.
John Long: Is it still going anywhere?
Debra Lloyd: It is.
John Long: Okay.
Debra Lloyd: Some States still have it. It's so needed. I wish we did have it here in Mississippi because just coming up from today, from a program where there were over 67 kids and to just see these young people, how they get excited about the little things that we do.
John Long: Right.
Debra Lloyd: And when you talk about Mississippi State, I did some encouraging words as well as passed out the certificates that had Mississippi State University. And so they are so proud to get that. So anything coming from Mississippi State University to young people into the community as a whole, it just set the stage.
John Long: Right.
Debra Lloyd: It does wonders.
John Long: Yeah, that's awesome.
Cobie Rutherford: That is awesome.
John Long: So going from military kids, and then after that left and you went elsewhere and then coming back, what now is your, what capacity are you working as far as in the 4-H department now?
Debra Lloyd: Okay. I just like to start by saying I'm excited that Mississippi State University 4-H youth development has a leadership program.
John Long: Right.
Debra Lloyd: And so I am working with the leadership team. The youth leaders are so vital and that they become adult leaders.
John Long: Right. And if they don't know who the ambassadors are in these leadership positions in the specific areas, they use, those that are listening that are familiar with 4-H, those are the green jackets that you say.
Debra Lloyd: Those are the green jackets, yeah.
John Long: Yeah, they stick out. They stick out. But anyway, I'm sorry I interrupted you, but I wanted to throw that in there.
Debra Lloyd: Yeah. So just talking about leadership as a whole, I'd say what better way to be influenced and develop these young people's skills and their styles and their practices is through 4-H.
John Long: That's right.
Debra Lloyd: And through the leadership team.
John Long: Right.
Debra Lloyd: Now you asked me about the ambassadors. Ambassadors fall under the leadership citizenship umbrella.
John Long: Right. I guess I was getting ahead of myself a little bit, but go ahead. Yes.
Debra Lloyd: Okay. So ambassadors, they are self motivated young people between the ages of 15 and 19.
John Long: Senior quote unquote senior.
Debra Lloyd: Right.
John Long: Checking.
Debra Lloyd: Absolutely. They're enthusiastic leaders who promote 4-H using the skills, using the knowledge, using the leadership abilities that they acquire through 4-H, and so being a 4-H, sure. I didn't grow up as a 4-H but these 4-H members, they have lots and lots of opportunities.
John Long: Right.
Debra Lloyd: Through the residents, through the community leaders, through elected officials and through non 4-H members. Another thing I say, 4-H ambassadors, they serve to strengthen, they serve to strengthen other youth.
John Long: Right.
Debra Lloyd: And they're mentors of other youth, they're the voice of 4-H members of Mississippi. Yeah.
Cobie Rutherford: So I think that that's just a great program. And for me, looking from the outside in at the ambassadors and what all they bring to the table, they're all always just so willing to jump in and help out with things. It seems like Debra, when you ask them to, who would be willing to come and do this or that, it seems like that you always have a good positive response, and it just they're eager to help out.
Debra Lloyd: Right. You're so correct in that Cobie, they are eager. Again, they're enthusiastic and I think that's one of the reasons I like working with these youth because they bring a certain amount of energy-
John Long: They do.
Debra Lloyd: To the table.
John Long: Yeah.
Cobie Rutherford: For sure.
Debra Lloyd: And I definitely won't say my age here, sitting among all of you and because-
John Long: You're so much younger than us, that's why.
Debra Lloyd: Oh, thank you. I like that. But yeah, they bring that extra energy and help to make us feel vibrant and useful. And so that's so needed, too.
John Long: I agree with you. Anytime I get to work with any of the leadership or say ambassadors, I still get that leadership team stuck in my brain.
Debra Lloyd: Me too.
John Long: But it's ambassadors, anytime I get to work with them, I just feel kind of energized around them because I don't know, it just, I love working with them. There's so much fun because of what Cobie said. They're very passionate about what they do and they give it their all.
Debra Lloyd: And you know what else I think is cool is how they're peer role models for the younger children. Younger kids come to 4-H Congress, they see those green jackets, and they see the youth who are helping out with workshops and contest and yeah, I think they set a really good example for them younger ones.
John Long: They sure do, that's for sure. And to see them judge the exhibits at project achievement day. I know they do a lot of that.
Debra Lloyd: Yeah, this is going to be a new experience for me. Speaking of that tomorrow working with the project achievement day.
John Long: Yes.
Debra Lloyd: Yeah.
John Long: Northeast project achievement day is going to be tomorrow. Turn in.
Debra Lloyd: Well, another thing about the ambassadors and the green jackets that you mentioned, it's not just something they just hand you. They are requirements to become an ambassador.
John Long: Why don't you tell us what those requirements are.
Debra Lloyd: Okay. Some of the qualifications are you must be enrolled as a 4-H member. Okay. You must be at least 15 years of age and they say by January 1 of that current starting member year, they should be high school in that range that you mentioned earlier, John, sophomore, junior, or senior year. They must have completed at least a full year as an active 4-H member. And some other qualifications, they must have participated or demonstrated some leadership abilities through developmental activities. Then two, they should have a diverse knowledge of total what 4-H is all about and in that you have an application process. They fill out like a five or six page application talking about these experiences and they go through an interview process, and that's held during Club Congress. So some benefits, they get the opportunity to develop their leadership and communication skills. They get to travel, they get to interact with other 4-H'ers from all over the state Mississippi.
John Long: They just do a lot of stuff.
Debra Lloyd: They really do.
Cobie Rutherford: They do a lot of stuff.
John Long: I got to be, excuse me, I got to be a part of the helping you with the interviews, which was kind of year or two for me doing that and I just love it. I love to see them come in with their enthusiasm and even maybe sometimes a little nerves, but they go into that and you know that that's teaching them a very valuable experience about being in front of people like we'd spoken about earlier in another podcast. The fact of the matter is that that's life and that's what they're going to be faced with is for job interviews and from here on out, this is going to be some very good life skills that they're learning as an ambassador that they're going to take with them for the rest of their life for sure.
Debra Lloyd: Oh absolutely. I agree with you. One other thing with the, you have officers too under the leadership, president, vice president, secretary and different roles and they are elected just like other elected officials.
John Long: Right.
Debra Lloyd: So they don't go through the interview process. They are elected among their peers.
John Long: And right. And that's a very neat process to even see it during Congress too, we were talking about it in our State Congress. Well Debra, tell us now, if a young person is interested in becoming an ambassador team member, how exact, where do they need to go to find information on that?
Debra Lloyd: Yeah, they should go to their local extension office. They are 82 counties and all counties have a office and the agent, be it a 4-H agent, ag agent, counter director. They could help those young people because the information we have here, it's sent to the county offices.
John Long: Right.
Debra Lloyd: And so they have direct contact with us. They can either call here or mainly go through their agent and volunteers in their perspective county.
John Long: And we also have something on our website too, don't we?
Debra Lloyd: Of course we do.
John Long: Yeah, and that's extension.msstate.edu.
Debra Lloyd: Correct.
John Long: And you can go and we actually have a leadership tab. If you go into 4-H, don't we?
Debra Lloyd: Oh yes, please go to 4-H, scroll down, go to leadership citizenship, click on that. Then it will show you 4-H ambassadors.
John Long: That's one of them.
Debra Lloyd: And once they do that, you have the application process. We have a manual. So the information is out there. If not, give us a call at the extension State's office or go to [email protected].
John Long: Well I can guarantee you one thing, and I say this, and I feel so fortunate to be able to work with Debra because Debra, if you can't tell it, she is always smiling and I never see her down. So it's always good to come into an office where I can get a smile every day.
Debra Lloyd: I don't know if you can-
John Long: Thank you.
Debra Lloyd: I don't know if you can detect that in my voice today because I have some nerves all down my spine.
John Long: No, you've done fine. You've done fine.
Cobie Rutherford: This was fun.
John Long: But yeah, we appreciate you coming in so much, Debra and taking the time to talk to us about ambassadors. Young people are our future and they're our investment. And I think the ambassador program is just one of those examples of how 4-H can take a young person and transform them into a confident, caring adult for our future and we're giving the future to them. So I think you're doing a great job and keep up the good work.
Debra Lloyd: Well, I appreciate you so much. Thank you for having me. And I just hope the word get out there to all these young people.
John Long: Absolutely.
Debra Lloyd: Keep up the good work.
John Long: abs .
Cobie Rutherford: Thanks a lot, Debra.
John Long: Yeah.
Debra Lloyd: You're welcome.
John Long: Thank you so much.
Debra Lloyd: Thank you.
John Long: Well, thank you all for tuning in to 4-H4U2 this week. We hope you'll come back next episode and visit with us. And until then, I'm John Long.
Debra Lloyd: And I'm Cobie.
John Long: And we'll talk to you later.
Announcer: This is 4-H4U2, a podcast from the Mississippi State University extension service promoting 4-H programs and positive youth development. Here now, your host, Dr. John Long and Cobie Rutherford.