Texas 4-H Water Ambassadors are laying the foundation for future advocates of water education in Texas, and Daniel Kernes of the Quitman 4-H Club is one of these ambassadors. Daniel, who is a very active Wood County 4-H member, is the son of Lynn and Tania Kernes of Quitman and one of 25 students selected from across the state to serve in this role.

Periodic drought, groundwater decline, population increase, these are just a few of the many challenges Texans face in meeting future water needs.

Thanks to the support of many in the Texas water industry, the Texas 4-H Water Ambassadors Program provides an opportunity for high school youth to gain advanced knowledge and practice leadership skills related to the science, engineering, technology and management of water.

Each summer, 4-H Water Ambassadors participate in a week-long 4-H2O Leadership Academy.

This year, the ambassadors traveled to the High Plains and Panhandle regions to learn primarily about groundwater and the Ogallala Aquifer. They learned about the unique challenges facing local communities and got a behind-the-scenes look at how water is acquired, treated and delivered to users.

They also got an up-close look at the vast agricultural region and learned about how cutting-edge technology is being employed to make every drop of water count.

Water ambassadors have a unique opportunity to meet with state and local water leaders, learn about career opportunities in the field and get exposed to the basics of water law, water planning and public education and outreach programs.

The Texas 4-H Water Ambassador Program is made available through the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas 4-H Youth Development Program.

Funding for the program comes from many generous sponsors who serve the Texas water industry.

For more information on this and many other 4-H programs or information on how to join Wood County 4-H locally, please contact the Wood County AgriLife Extension Office at 903-763-2924.