AgDiscovery Opens the Door to New Careers for 4-H’ers
Havana is pictured first on the left with her AgDiscovery group.
Imagine having the opportunity to both travel and experiment with a potential career. This is what Havana, 14, of Lowell, and Harrison, 17, of Bedford, had the opportunity to do with AgDiscovery, a free program offered by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) for teens to learn about agricultural careers at one of 21 colleges and universities throughout the country during the summer.
The application process for AgDiscovery is extensive, requiring an essay and three recommendations. While there are several AgDiscovery sites throughout the country, each applicant can only apply to one.
Havana spent two weeks in Tallahassee, FL in June 2023 learning about the veterinary profession. One of only 20 teens from across the country, Havana shadowed a veterinarian, participated in field trips to zoos and the University of Florida, and learned from USDA and APHIS (Animal Plant Health Inspection Service) speakers. “It was an amazing experience,” she said. “I recommend it to anyone.”
Havana believes that her AgDiscovery experience helped solidify her interest in veterinary medicine, and she would like to pursue a career as a mixed animal veterinarian (one who cares for both large and small animals). “I knew I wanted to do something in agriculture but wasn’t sure which field I wanted to go into. Participating in AgDiscovery definitely helped me decide,” she explained.
Havana has shown beef cattle with the Black Walnut 4-H Club of Billerica, most recently at The Big E last fall. She has also participated in veterinary science programs through 4-H. “4-H has been amazing,” said Havana. “I love animals so much, and I have been able to work with them in 4-H.”
Harrison is pictured second from the left.
Harrison has long known that he wanted to pursue a career in the field of agriculture. He was able to go after that dream while studying agriculture at the University of the Virgin Islands in St. Croix in July 2023 through the AgDiscovery program.
Harrison learned about agricultural practices along with a group from the Virgin Islands and the United States. The young people learned about tropical agriculture in different ways. They listened to speakers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and toured various farms, learning about St. Croix Hair Sheep and Senepol cattle, both native to the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Harrison also learned about food systems in the Virgin Islands, where plants are grown in environments other than soil. The farms that the group toured operated aquaponic systems, in which plants grow from fish fecal matter, and hydroponic systems, which use a water-based nutrient system to grow plants.
Upon completing the AgDiscovery program, Harrison believed he had learned a lot. “I saw the differences between the Virgin Islands and here, and also the similarities with sustainable agriculture and how that will be important for the future,” he said.
Currently a senior in high school, Harrison has participated in 4-H since the 5th grade. He has been a member of three clubs: 4-H Famers Club of Bedford (of which he is currently President), Good Shepherd 4-H Club, and Black Walnut 4-H Club. Harrison has represented Massachusetts 4-H at
