By Riley Reep
The Texas Pork Producers Association has dedicated numerous years advocating, educating, and encouraging Texas youth. With efforts to continue our mission of advancing a sustainable and profitable pork industry, the association was inspired to create a youth program that would generate visible youth leaders for our industry and communities.
Recently, the Texas Pork Producers Association Junior Ambassador Program was implemented to create current and future youth advocates. Over the course of two years, junior ambassadors will participate in association events, youth tours, personal development training, and educational sessions. Junior ambassadors will encourage, educate, and serve to help take part in actively advocating wherever they are.
In the summer of 2023, the first junior ambassadors were selected through an in-depth application process. Stay up-to-date with the ambassador program through social media and our website. We are proud to introduce our first Texas Pork Junior Ambassadors!
Brooke Reininger
Brooke Reininger, from New Berlin, Texas, is a senior at Marion High School. After graduating, she plans to attend either Texas Tech University or Texas A&M University to pursue an agricultural-related degree. She has exhibited pigs at the local and state levels since she was young, and her family raised pigs as she grew up.
Becoming a Texas Pork Junior Ambassador combines her two favorite things, leadership and her love for the pork industry. As Brooke advocates for agriculture through her ambassador position, she hopes to build connections with other producers and industry professionals and broaden her perspective of the TPPA.
Landry Miller
Landry Miller from Abernathy, Texas, is a freshman at Clarendon College majoring in animal science. Landry plans to earn his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine and become a veterinarian while expanding his sow herd and raising show pigs.
Landry has been exhibiting Texas-bred hogs since he was two years old and is currently a Texas Pork Producer himself, managing a small sow herd of crossbred hogs. Landry wanted to become a Texas Pork Junior Ambassador to give back to the organization and hopes to meet many new people and make great friendships during his time as an ambassador.
Landri Ottmers
Landri Ottmers from Fredericksburg, Texas, is a senior at Fredericksburg High School. After graduating from high school, she plans to attend Texas Tech University and major in agricultural communications with a minor in agricultural business or animal nutrition.
Through her ambassador experience, she hopes to gain many new relationships throughout the pork industry, and become more educated on the obstacles the pork industry faces, and how we can strive to overcome them while continuing our mission of advancing a sustainable and profitable industry.
Kynnley Herrington
Kynnley Herrington, from Eastland, Texas, is a sophomore at Texas A&M University, double majoring in agricultural communications and journalism and agricultural leadership. She plans to graduate with her undergraduate degrees and attend law school.
Kynnley said ambassador program provides an opportunity for her to advocate and make a lasting impact on the pork industry. Through her ambassador experience, Kynnley hopes to gain more connections and get a deeper look into the pork industry. She hopes to improve her public speaking skills and learn how to help facilitate events.
Audrey Ratliff
Audrey Ratliff, from Valley View, Texas, attends Texas Tech University majoring in animal science. After graduating from Texas Tech, she plans to attend vet school and continue to stay highly involved in the swine and livestock industry.
Through her ambassador experience she hopes to expand her knowledge and involvement, alongside gaining great experience, and making connections and lifelong relationships with people of similar interests. Her love for the agriculture industry and ambitions to one day be able to make an impact on kids as her role models did for her motivates Audrey to continue pursuing her dreams and never give up on her passions.
Braelyn Pointer
Braelyn Pointer from Littlefield, Texas, is attending Texas Tech University majoring in agricultural communications. After obtaining her agricultural communications degree, Braelyn plans to work for an agricultural credit service or an agriculture-based media outlet in digital design or journalism.
Braelyn wanted to be a Texas Pork Junior Ambassador to learn more about the program while also being able to advocate the importance of Texas pork across the state. She hopes to become a well-rounded leader through public speaking, social networking, and agricultural advocacy during her ambassador experience.