ACT Members Volunteer at Arkansas Youth Expo

Hannah Chambers

Hannah Chambers, ACT member and AECT graduate student, operates a livestreaming camera for Walton Webcasting at the Arkansas Youth Expo.

Members of the Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow chapter recently volunteered at the Arkansas Youth Expo livestock show in Fayetteville.

ACT is a national organization focused providing opportunities for students in agricultural communications. The vision of Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow is to be the leading collegiate organization in developing and strengthening agricultural communication students through professional growth opportunities and educational programs.

Last month ACT members assisted Walton Webcasting with live coverage of AYE that allowed people to remotely watch exhibitors participate in the livestock show.

Jefferson Miller, AECT professor and ACT advisor, said it is a win-win situation for all those involved.

"AYE is happy for us to get more students involved, and Walton Webcasting appreciates the help," Miller said. "Our agricultural communications students get some hands-on experience with live streaming video production."

The Arkansas Youth Expo is a program that provides direct experiences for the youth of Arkansas to help them develop as leaders. The AYE scholarship program and the Arkansas Leadership Encounter are both components of AYE that assist in that goal.

Grace Thompson, an agricultural communications major and University of Arkansas ACT secretary, was one of the students who assisted with the event.

"I think the livestock industry benefits anyone who is willing to be a part of it," Thompson said. "The best part for me was seeing the smiles on [the exhibitor's] faces as they entered the ring after all we've been through these past two years."

Daniela Medina, a graduate student in AECT and ACT graduate advisor, helped coordinate members for this event and was able to put her communications and leadership skills to use.

"Getting to see students network and learn technical skills that they will take with them was a rewarding experience for me," Medina said.

Hannah Chambers completed her bachelor's degree at Texas A&M, and she's in her first semester of her graduate degree in the AECT department.

"I love events like these because they allow me to learn new skills," Chambers said. "I never knew how to operate a video camera like that before AYE, and now I have that skill to add to my resume."

ACT members are hoping to continue this partnership in the future and find new ways to build relationships within the community.