Pinal County Farm Bureau Ag Ambassador Program Overview

Thank you for your interest in the 2026–2027 Pinal County Farm Bureau Ag Ambassador Program!

The Ag Ambassador Program is a selective leadership and career-development program for outstanding high school seniors in Pinal County who are seriously interested in pursuing a future in agriculture.

This program provides students with firsthand exposure to agricultural businesses, farms, ranches, government agencies, educational institutions, and industry leaders. It is designed to help students build the knowledge, relationships, and professional skills needed to pursue a successful career in agriculture.

Applicant Qualifications

To apply, students must:

• Be a senior attending a Pinal County high school or an accredited homeschool program
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5
• Intend to pursue an agriculture-related career after high school
• Plan to continue their education or professional training through a college, university, trade school, certification program, apprenticeship, or another agriculture-related career pathway
• Be willing and able to meet the attendance, communication, conduct, and participation requirements of the program
• Understand that all selected Ambassadors will be required to sign an Ag Ambassador Participation Contract.

Time Commitment —

Please Read Carefully

The Ag Ambassador Program requires a serious commitment of time, energy, and personal responsibility.

Ambassadors are expected to participate in approximately one tour, event, meeting, or program activity each month. Activities may take place during the school day, after school, in the evening, or occasionally overnight.

Please consider your school, employment, athletic, FFA, 4-H, club, family, and extracurricular commitments before applying.

• Ambassadors may miss no more than two scheduled tours or events during the entire program year. This is a combined total—not two tours and two events.
• Missing more than two tours or events may result in automatic dismissal from the program unless the absence has been approved in advance by the Program Coordinator because of an emergency or exceptional circumstance.
• Ambassadors will miss some school days to attend tours and events.
• Official school excuse letters will be provided when applicable.
  Ambassadors may also miss practices, club activities, work shifts, or other extracurricular commitments.
• Students with schedules that prevent them from participating consistently should carefully consider whether this program is the right fit.
• Attendance and participation will affect scholarship eligibility and the amount awarded.

We are looking for students who are ready to participate fully, take responsibility for their commitments, and make the most of the opportunities offered through this program.

Communication and Personal Responsibility

Ag Ambassadors are expected to manage their own schedules and communicate directly with the Program Coordinator.

• Ambassadors must respond to every program-related text message with either a reply or a “thumbs-up” acknowledgment.
• When an Ambassador confirms attendance for a tour, event, meeting, or other opportunity, that commitment is expected to be honored.
• Ambassadors are responsible for recording activity dates, keeping track of their own schedules, arranging transportation when required, and arriving on time.
• Program communications will be sent directly to the Ambassador. Routine reminders and updates will not be separately emailed or texted to parents.
• Ambassadors may forward program communications to their parents or guardians as needed.
• If an emergency prevents attendance after an Ambassador has confirmed, the Ambassador must contact the Program Coordinator as soon as possible.
  
  

Failure to respond consistently, repeatedly missing confirmed activities, or failing to manage program commitments may affect continued participation and scholarship eligibility.

Why Become an Ag Ambassador?

Ag Ambassadors are student leaders who represent the Pinal County Farm Bureau at tours, meetings, community events, educational programs, and agricultural activities.

Ambassadors will:

• Learn how Farm Bureau operates from the grassroots level, with an emphasis on agricultural policy, resolutions, advocacy, and the legislative process
• Learn directly from farmers, ranchers, agricultural businesses, educators, government officials, and industry professionals
• Develop skills as advocates for agriculture
  Strengthen their college, scholarship, internship, and employment applications
• Build public-speaking, networking, leadership, and professional communication skills
• Gain a better understanding of the many careers available within agriculture
  
  

Career and Networking Opportunities

This program is more than a scholarship—it is an introduction to the Arizona agricultural community.

The Ag Ambassador Program also serves as a resource for agricultural businesses, industry partners, and Farm Bureau leaders who may be seeking qualified students for internships, employment, scholarships, training opportunities, and future leadership positions.

Through the program:

• Ambassadors will build relationships with leaders in agriculture, business, education, and government
• Many of the businesses and organizations visited may offer future internships, jobs, scholarships, or career opportunities
• Ambassadors will begin developing a professional network that can support them after high school
• Qualified Ambassadors may receive letters of recommendation and employment or scholarship referrals
• Ambassadors may have opportunities to meet statewide leaders and attend county, district, state, or national Farm Bureau activities
  
  

Because Program Coordinators and Farm Bureau members may be asked to recommend Ambassadors for future opportunities, students are expected to demonstrate the same qualities an employer would expect: respect, dependability, honesty, initiative, punctuality, preparation, appropriate communication, and professional conduct.

Program Expectations

Ag Ambassadors will be expected to:

• Meet all minimum participation requirements established for scholarship eligibility
• Attend scheduled tours, events, meetings, and educational experiences
• Engage respectfully with farmers, business owners, elected officials,
• Farm Bureau members, community partners, and other students
• Help plan, support, and participate in Farm Bureau programs and events
• Arrive on time, dress appropriately, and remain attentive and engaged
• Potentially participate in overnight trips, with approved program expenses paid by Farm Bureau
• Provide feedback and help strengthen the Ag Ambassador Program for future students
• Be encouraged to join Collegiate Farm Bureau or Young Farmers & Ranchers after high school

Ambassadors do not have voting rights at Farm Bureau board or policy meetings, but their attendance, questions, and participation are encouraged.

Incentives and Benefits

Ambassadors will receive or be eligible for:

• An official Pinal County Farm Bureau Ag Ambassador shirt
  Educational tours and hands-on agricultural experiences
• Opportunities to meet agricultural, government, business, education, and media leaders
• Career-development, networking, internship, and employment opportunities
• Eligibility for a scholarship of up to $1,600, based on attendance, participation, service, communication, and successful completion of the program
• A complimentary Collegiate Farm Bureau membership after entering college, university, or another eligible postsecondary program
• Letters of recommendation and referrals when earned through exemplary participation and conduct

Scholarships are not automatically guaranteed by acceptance into the program. Scholarship eligibility and award amounts will be based on each Ambassador’s successful completion of the established requirements.

Standards of Conduct

Ag Ambassadors are expected to demonstrate exemplary character, leadership, maturity, and integrity throughout the program year.

Ambassadors must:

• Follow all federal, state, and local laws
• Follow their school’s established academic and conduct policies
• Remain in good standing with their school
• Refrain from conduct that could damage their reputation, the reputation of the program, or the reputation of the Pinal County Farm Bureau
• Treat fellow Ambassadors, Farm Bureau members, hosts, speakers, volunteers, and members of the public with respect
• Demonstrate professional behavior during tours, meetings, travel, overnight activities, community events, and online interactions
• Use social media responsibly and avoid posting content that reflects poorly on the Ambassador or the program
• Immediately disclose any school disciplinary action, criminal citation, arrest, or other serious conduct matter to the Program Coordinator

Serious misconduct, dishonesty, unlawful activity, repeated school disciplinary problems, harassment, bullying, substance use during program activities, or behavior that reflects negatively on the Pinal County Farm Bureau may result in immediate dismissal from the program.

Final decisions regarding attendance exceptions, disciplinary action, scholarship eligibility, and continued participation will be made by the Program Coordinator in consultation with Pinal County Farm Bureau leadership when appropriate.

Selection Process

After you submit this application, the Pinal County Farm Bureau Ag Ambassador Selection Committee will review your responses and evaluate your qualifications, interest in agriculture, availability, commitment, and overall fit for the program.

• You will receive an automatic confirmation email after your application has been successfully submitted.
• If you do not receive a confirmation email within 24 hours, please check your spam or junk folder. If it is not there, text Kelly Wilcox at (520) 840-3826 for assistance.
• Submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance into the program.
  Applicants may be contacted for additional information or an interview.
  Selected students will be notified and provided with instructions for completing the next steps.
• Every student accepted into the program will be required to review and sign an Ag Ambassador Participation Contract before officially joining the program.
• Please provide complete and thoughtful answers. Your application responses will be considered as part of the selection process.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE IS SEPTEMBER 11TH. NO LATE SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

PINAL COUNTY FARM BUREAU AG AMBASSADOR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

This selective program is for graduating high school seniors in Pinal County who intend to pursue a career in agriculture after high school.

Applicants should be prepared to explain their agricultural interests, career goals, leadership experiences, and ability to commit to the Ag Ambassador Program throughout the year.

The ideal applicant will:

• Clearly communicate their agricultural experiences and interests
  Demonstrate a genuine commitment to pursuing a future career in agriculture
• Show leadership potential, maturity, dependability, and professionalism
• Be willing and able to participate actively in Ag Ambassador tours, events, meetings, and educational opportunities
• Have specific plans to continue their education or professional development through an agriculture-related college, university, community college, trade school, certification program, apprenticeship, or military career pathway
  
  

Acceptance into the Ag Ambassador Program does not automatically guarantee a scholarship. Scholarship eligibility and award amounts will be based on each Ambassador’s attendance, participation, communication, service, conduct, and successful completion of the program.

📌 Application Structure

This application contains two sections:

• Personal Information
• Essay

Please answer every question completely and thoughtfully. Your responses will be considered during the selection process.

Important: You may use the “Back” button to review or change your answers while completing the application. Once you select “Submit,” you will not be able to make further edits.

✨ We look forward to learning about your agricultural journey, your future goals, and how you hope to contribute as a Pinal County Farm Bureau Ag Ambassador!

Please submit an essay of at least 500 words addressing the following:

1. Your Future in Agriculture
   What agricultural career or pathway do you plan to pursue, and what experiences have influenced that decision?
2. The Future of Agriculture
   What do you believe are the greatest opportunities or challenges facing American agriculture? What changes or innovations would you like to see within the industry?
3. What Sets You Apart
   What qualities, experiences, accomplishments, or perspectives make you a strong candidate for the Pinal County Farm Bureau Ag Ambassador Program?
4. Commitment and Responsibility
   Describe a time when you made an important commitment and followed through successfully. How will you manage the Ag Ambassador Program alongside school, employment, sports, clubs, and other responsibilities?
5. Program Goals
   What do you hope to learn or accomplish through the Ag Ambassador Program, and how will this experience support your future career in agriculture?

You may type your essay in the space provided or upload it as a PDF or Word document.

Pinal County Farm Bureau Scholarship Code of Conduct

The Pinal County Farm Bureau Ag Ambassador Code of Conduct establishes the standards of behavior expected of all applicants and selected Ag Ambassadors.

Ag Ambassadors represent themselves, their schools, their communities, the agricultural industry, and the Pinal County Farm Bureau. Applicants selected for this program are expected to demonstrate exemplary character, integrity, maturity, dependability, and professional conduct throughout the program year.

These standards apply during school, outside of school, at program activities, while traveling, online, and in any setting where an Ambassador’s conduct could reasonably affect the reputation or integrity of the program.

Standards of Conduct

Applicants and Ag Ambassadors are expected to:

• Follow all federal, state, and local laws
• Follow their school’s academic, attendance, and conduct policies
• Remain in good standing with their school
• Treat fellow Ambassadors, Farm Bureau members, agricultural hosts, speakers, volunteers, school personnel, and members of the public with respect
• Demonstrate honesty, responsibility, good judgment, and professional behavior
• Arrive on time, prepared, appropriately dressed, and ready to participate
• Refrain from bullying, harassment, discrimination, threats, violence, theft, dishonesty, or destructive behavior
• Refrain from possessing or using alcohol, illegal drugs, tobacco, vaping products, or unauthorized substances during any program activity
• Use social media responsibly and avoid posting or sharing content that could reflect negatively on the Ambassador, the program, or the Pinal County Farm Bureau
• Follow all safety instructions and the directions of Program Coordinators, chaperones, Farm Bureau representatives, and program hosts
  
  

Required Disclosure

Applicants and Ambassadors must promptly notify the Program Coordinator of any serious matter that could affect their eligibility or continued participation, including:

• Suspension, expulsion, or another serious school disciplinary action
• A criminal citation, arrest, charge, or conviction
• Loss of good standing with their school
• Conduct that may create a safety concern or materially affect the reputation of the program

Disclosure does not automatically mean that an applicant or Ambassador will be removed. Each situation will be reviewed based on the available information, the seriousness of the conduct, its connection to the program, and any relevant circumstances.

Failure to disclose a serious conduct matter honestly and promptly may be considered a separate violation of this Code.

Review of Conduct Concerns

The Pinal County Farm Bureau reserves the right to review credible conduct concerns arising during the application and program period.

When appropriate:

• The applicant or Ambassador will be informed of the concern and given an opportunity to respond.
• A parent or guardian may be contacted when the student is under 18.
• The Pinal County Farm Bureau may request additional information necessary to evaluate the situation.
• Anonymous allegations will not ordinarily be acted upon without credible supporting information.
• Information will be handled as privately as reasonably possible, but confidentiality cannot be guaranteed when safety, legal, school, or program obligations require disclosure.

Consequences

Depending on the seriousness, frequency, and circumstances of the conduct, consequences may include:

• A verbal or written warning
• Additional conditions for continued participation
• Removal from a particular tour, event, trip, or activity
• Reduction or loss of eligibility for an unpaid scholarship award
• Suspension from the Ag Ambassador Program
• Immediate dismissal from the Ag Ambassador Program
• Ineligibility for future Pinal County Farm Bureau scholarships, recommendations, referrals, or opportunities

Serious misconduct, unlawful activity, dishonesty, harassment, violence, substance use during program activities, repeated school disciplinary problems, or conduct that threatens the safety or reputation of the program may result in immediate dismissal.

Final decisions regarding program participation and scholarship eligibility will be made by the Program Coordinator in consultation with Pinal County Farm Bureau leadership when appropriate.

By signing the application, I acknowledge that I have read, understand, and agree to follow the Pinal County Farm Bureau Ag Ambassador Code of Conduct.