Burlington--A Lunenburg 4-H’er has been selected as the first National 4-H Livestock Ambassador from Vermont.

Liviya Russo, a Riverbends 4-H Club member, was one of 33 youths accepted for the ambassadorship program this year. The program, founded in 2007, is hosted by Texas 4-H. Any 4-H’er, age 14 to 18, with an interest in promoting the livestock industry and 4-H is eligible to apply.

This opportunity is designed to educate participants about meat science, animal reproduction and other livestock topics and help them develop the leadership skills needed to advocate for the livestock industry and their state 4-H program. Ambassadors are asked to share their passion for livestock and 4-H by planning and assisting with local and state 4-H livestock events, organizing workshops, appearing at community events to talk about agriculture and mentoring younger youths.

At a week-long training at Texas A&M University, Liviya attended workshops on beef, sheep and swine, as well as career etiquette, which included preparation for job interviews. The delegates also received media training where they learned how to tactfully answer questions and address issues raised by the non-farming public.

In addition, the training included a field trip to a registered Angus beef operation and a visit to a local grocery store to engage customers in conversation about their preferences for beef and their perspective on the agricultural industry.

Liviya has been active in the 4-H dairy project since she first joined 4-H 13 years ago as a five-year-old 4-H Cloverbud. Her other projects have included dairy goats, rabbits, photography, arts and crafts and teen leadership.

She has served as president of her club for six years and has attended several Vermont 4-H leadership weekends and Citizenship Washington Focus, a national 4-H leadership event held annually in Washington, D.C.

Liviya has qualified to show at the Vermont 4-H state dairy show every year since she was eligible to compete at the state level and represented Vermont at the Eastern States Exposition regional 4-H dairy show for the past two years. Her dairy expertise also earned her a spot on the four-member state dairy quiz bowl in 2022, which placed third at the North American Invitational 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl in Kentucky. 

In addition to 4-H livestock events, the White Mountains Regional High School senior has competed at the World Dairy Expo in Wisconsin, placing seventh out of 45 competitors in the Ayrshire winter calf class and sixth out of 250 junior show persons in the showmanship class, showing Auburn Star Ringer Aurora.

As a National 4-H Livestock Ambassador, Liviya plans to offer workshops on grooming and showing dairy animals and agricultural education to help youths understand where food comes from and what it takes to raise a quality animal to reach the food chain. This builds on her earlier efforts as a 4-H’er to promote livestock and agriculture, which included bringing her cows to the North Country Boys and Girls Club for a Q & A, Lunenburg Old Home Day and the fall festival in Lancaster, New Hampshire.

Liviya is the daughter of Samantha and Stephen Russo. She plans to attend college in the Northeast this fall with a major in animal science and minor in entrepreneurship.