Nebraska cattle rancher and social media influencer Natalie Kovarik is set to return as a mentor in the Animal Agriculture Alliance’s 2024 College Aggies Online program.
CAO is open to undergraduate, graduate, and pre-professional students, as well as collegiate clubs and classes in the U.S. More than $20,000 in scholarship awards is available for participants.
The program connects college students from across the country who are passionate about sharing positive, factual information about animal agriculture. Participants receive nine interactive and educational weeks of content to help them become confident and effective communicators for agriculture with guidance from industry and farmer mentors. Help spread the word about the program by referring a friend to sign up. Referrers must be signed up for the program as well. Each referral will be entered to win a $100 gift card.
“Myths surrounding food and farming are prevalent on college campuses as many students are making their own food purchasing decisions for the first time. Animal rights groups know this and are actively seeking to pressure students to eliminate meat, dairy, poultry, eggs, and seafood from their diets,” said Emily Ellis, manager, communications and content, Animal Agriculture Alliance. “College Aggies Online equips students, clubs, and classes with the tools needed to navigate conversations surrounding food and farming to bridge the gap and ensure campus peers can make informed decisions in the grocery store.”
Kovarik is one of several mentors who will provide guidance on engaging with consumers during the program. She is a fourth-generation cattle rancher turned social entrepreneur who weaves western and rural living to feature agriculture in a unique and alluring fashion. She is also the dynamic co-host of the popular podcast Discover Ag.
Alongside her husband, Kovarik owns and operates Kovarik Cattle Co, a cow-calf business with a growing registered herd. Through visual storytelling and thought-provoking conversations Kovarik works to bridge the rural/urban gap while empowering farmers and ranchers to amplify their voices and ensure a resilient agriculture legacy for generations to come.
Students interested in networking with industry professionals and learning from successful agriculture influencers while strengthening their communication skills are invited to sign up today. In addition to scholarship awards, the top participants at the conclusion of the program will be invited to attend the Alliance’s 2025 Stakeholders Summit, set for April 30 to May 2 in Arlington, Virginia, for national recognition.
