More than 100 agricultural communications students from across the nation were on the Texas Tech campus Feb. 23-25 to attend the National Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow's Professional Development Conference. Primarily held in the university's student union building, the program featured educational sessions, speakers and tours of agricultural gems around the Hub City.

"We believe the ACT members will have a positive experience," said Faith Jurek, a senior agricultural communications major from Star and Texas Tech ACT Chapter President. "We hope they'll enjoy all West Texas has to offer."

Speakers include Wyman Meinzer, the official state photographer of Texas, Jim Bret Campbell, senior director of marketing and publications at the American Quarter Horse Association, and Diane Johnson, owner of Details by Design, an event management, marketing and advertising firm. Participants will take tours of area businesses, including the Llano Estacado Winery and Littlefield's American Cotton Growers Denim Mill.

"We've worked hard to provide a strong line-up of qualified individuals within the agriculture industry to speak at the professional development conference," Jurek said. "We want this weekend to be an experience that is memorable and as educational as possible for future leaders in the agriculture industry."

Texas Tech Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow is a collegiate organization focusing on the development of members' communication skills, said program officials. The group provides members with opportunities involving community service, leadership, social, educational and fundraising activities.

Written by Kelsey Fletcher

CONTACT: Courtney Meyers, assistant professor, Department of Agricultural Education and Communications, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2816 or courtney.meyers@ttu.edu

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