MO FFA Today - August Issue

FROM BOOTS TO

Thayer FFA Member Gracyn Rouse Named Miss Missouri’s Teen

he traded blue corduroy for a dazzling gown.

Thayer FFA member Gracyn Rouse graced the stage this summer, but it wasn’t a career development event, proficiency award or a speech competition that brought her a crown and a brand-new title for the next year. Instead, Rouse was named Miss Missouri’s Teen 2023 during the annual pageant held in June in Mexico, Missouri.

A third year FFA member, Rouse says she has only competed in pageants for two years and followed in the footsteps of her cousins who also took part in the experience.

“I saw the opportunities and the scholarships and the experience they gained through the Miss America organization, and I knew I wanted to get involved,” Rouse explains.

2023-24 State ffa officers

Officer • Chapter

Samuel Tummons • Columbia President

Owen Neely • Lockwood 1st Vice President

Karson Calvin • Troy Secretary

Vice Presidents

Lynn Dyer • Higginsville

Noah Graham • Clearwater

Isabella Hamner • Camdenton

Wyatt Hendley • Bloomfield

Jaden Kultgen • Mount Vernon

Kiley Mattson • Stanberry

Colin McIntyre • Belton

Kelsey Miller • Warrenton

Caleb Simpson • Bolivar

Maggie Stark • Adrian

Gabriel Todd • Norwood

Claire Walker • Chillicothe

Lily Weber • Lamar

State Officer Mentor

Jacob King

Department of Elem. & Sec. Education

P.O. Box 480, Jefferson City, MO 65102

Phone: (573) 751-3544.

District Supervisors: Teresa Briscoe, Lee Crabtree, Marie Davis, Keith Dietzschold, Lisa Evans, David Higgins & Jim Spencer.

Missouri FFA Association

Joann Pipkin, Director of Communications

Email: joann.pipkin@missouriffa.org

Phone: (417) 827-2756

Brandelyn Martin Twellman, Social Media Manager

Email: brandelyn.twellman@missouriffa.org

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, veteran status, mental or physical disability, or any other basis prohibited by statute in its programs and activities. Inquiries related to department programs and to the location of services, activities, and facilities that are accessible by persons with disabilities may be directed to the Jefferson State Office Building, Director of Civil Rights Compliance and MOA Coordinator (Title VI/Title VII/Title IX/504/ ADA/ADAAA/Age Act/GINA/USDA Title VI), 5th Floor, 205 Jefferson Street, P.O. Box 480, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0480; telephone number 573-526-4757 or TTY 800-735-2966; email civilrights@dese.mo.gov

President’s Perspective

uthenticity is when you say and do what you

Sinek. Going to school in a big town like Columbia, I was constantly challenged by my classmates as to why I spent so much time in the agriculture classroom. During my sophomore year of high school, I found myself in the agriculture classroom and shop more and more, spending time with my friends, connecting with my ag teacher, and learning even more about the agricultural industry. Agriculture is an important part of my family story. Agricultural education and FFA gave me opportunities to act on my beliefs by promoting the importance of the industry itself. The more time I spent coaching teams, talking to non-agriculture kids about my bottle calf at Ag day, or serving as a teaching assistant in the ag mechanics class, the more I found purpose and enjoyment in acting on my values and promoting agriculture.

This year at FFA Camp, my favorite activity was the Community Crest. In this activity, campers grouped together with their home chapters and designed a crest which represented all the important things in their community. On these crests I saw corn, beans, cows, rocks, Sonic, Walmart, and so

much more. When we talked about what each item meant to their home community, some members said corn, beans, and cattle represented their hometowns. As many rural Missourians know, Walmart and Sonic were major attractions and things to do with your friends. When I asked about rocks, a group from southwest Missouri just laughed as they informed me that rocks are, in fact, their highest yielding crop. Through this activity, I found FFA members from across the state being proud of their beliefs and what makes them unique. This activity showed me so much about what it truly means to be authentic to yourself, to be proud of where you come from and where you are going, and never try to fit a mold that is not you.

My path in the FFA included competing in many contests, some resulting in medals. My own way to be authentic in the same jacket as everyone else. No two members have exactly the same medals, but every FFA member has the opportunity to earn his or her own medals by taking action in their own unique activities. FFA members, I wish you great success this year by staying true to yourself and acting on what you believe.

Sam Tummons

T he 2023-24 Missouri FFA State Officers helped members sharpen their leadership skills this summer during State FFA Camp held at Camp Rising Sun in Kaiser, Missouri.

actually believe.”—Simon

Blue JacketBrief

CALEB SIMPSON

BOLIVAR ffa

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI, AGRIBUSINESS MANAGEMENT / LAW

MY sae:

My SAEs include beef production placement, forage production and agricultural communications where I work as a video editor for the Bolivar Area Chamber of Commerce and the Missouri Beef Days Committee. Through this experience I shoot, edit and help distribute video content for agricultural events and promotions.

What legacy do you want to leave: I want to break down barriers so that every student might have a chance to benefit from learning about how agriculture makes an impact on our world. I hope to leave this office having made members feel welcome and that they can have a place in agriculture regardless of their interests.

PAY YOURSELF FORWARD

CHOOSE A STRATEGY THAT PROVIDES CRITICAL WEED CONTROL THROUGHOUT THE SEASON AND BEYOND.

ADVANCING CHEMISTRY TO ADVANCE AGRICULTURE

HOT OFF THE PRESS

george frees named 2023 American Star in Agriscience finalist.

ongratulations to George Frees of the Cass Career Center FFA Chapter!

George’s agriscience SAE started in early 2019 when he purchased sugarcane cuttings to grow in the school greenhouse. George was interested in studying the effects of Gibberellic Acid on the growth of sugarcane. George’s ultimate goal was to study the viability of sugarcane production in the Midwest and its potential use in ethanol production.

The sugarcane cuttings purchased in early 2019 died, so he tried again in 2020. In January 2021, George harvested sugar from the sugarcane and ran tests on the juice and plant material, as well as taking tissue samples. George determined that Gibberellic Acid had a positive effect on the growth of sugarcane grown in a greenhouse environment in Missouri.

Check out the complete list of how Missouri FFA members will be honored at this year’s National FFA Convention, Nov. 1-4, on our website at www.missouriffa.org.

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SAMANTHA (GIBSON) TURNER SAM TURNER

SAMANTHA’S Home FFA Chapter: NORBORNE FFA

SAM’S Home FFA Chapter: BERNIE FFA

What SAMANTHA AND SAM do: Samantha is director of communications for Missouri Soybeans. Sam owns Turner Ag Solutions, an agribusiness focused on seed, fertilizer and crop protection.

What they Learned in FFA: Both Sam and Samantha credit their involvement in FFA with developing their skills and connecting them with a network of people that have helped them make lifelong friends and build their careers.

TWO PATHS

one destination

early 400 miles separated Southeast Missouri’s Sam Turner in Bernie and Northwest Missouri’s Samantha (Gibson) Turner in Norborne throughout their FFA careers. While the time they spent in their blue jackets looked different, it led them both to their current involvement in the agricultural industry and to one another.

Samantha grew up on her family’s generational row crop farm in the selfproclaimed Soybean Capital of the World, Norborne, Missouri. As a member of the Norborne FFA Chapter, she served in various leadership roles, getting very involved in the organization. Samantha was active in her local chapter, diving into leadership events and FFA activities across the state.

“At the local level, I was able to attend National FFA Convention with my chapter, Washington Leadership Conference, FFA Camp, and I was selected for the Missouri Agribusiness Academy,” she says. “I enjoyed participating in Leadership Development Events (LDEs), including Prepared Public Speaking and Job Interview. Additionally, my Agricultural Communications Proficiency Award was selected first at the state level.”

Samantha’s dedication to Missouri FFA didn’t end in high school. She served as a 2012-13 Missouri FFA State Vice President, representing Area II. After her year as a state officer, she continued serving members in an alumni role through facilitation of LEAD conferences, participation in FFA Camp and volunteering to help conduct local and state officer interviews.

Sam and Samantha Turner share how their individual journeys through FFA landed them in the heart of Missouri agriculture.

By Brandelyn Twellman

These vast experiences, along with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education and a master’s degree in agricultural leadership, communications and education from the University of Missouri, are serving Samantha well in her current role as director of communications for Missouri Soybeans. Today, she works to shape the growing soybean industry and promote Missouri soybeans and its vision. She is responsible for developing communications strategies and supporting the industry through content enhancing the soybean narrative.

“The soft skills, as well as hard skills, I developed during my time in FFA were proven invaluable in my education and career,” she explains. “I owe my

communication, leadership and public speaking skills to the organization. FFA gave me the confidence to challenge myself and become comfortable in personal and professional settings. I credit a lot of where I am today to the Missouri FFA.”

Samantha says she never considered a career in agriculutre until her high school involvement kicked in.

“In FFA, I found the career path to get to my dream job,” Samantha says. “I always had a passion for writing, and FFA had opportunities to strengthen and hone that skill with a focus on the industry I love. It has also been the people and connections I made

from page 7

through FFA that allowed me to have the opportunities I do within my career today.”

Across the state, Sam was stepping into leadership roles in both the Bernie FFA Chapter and Area XVI. He grew up on a third-generation row crop operation where his passion for agriculture began.

“During my time in FFA, I served as my chapter’s vice president, Chapter Student Advisor and the Area XVI Vice President,” Sam says.

He also joined Samantha as a 2012-13 Missouri FFA State Officer, unaware he would be serving members across the state with his future wife. The pair, along with 14 other state officers, spent their year of service traveling to leadership events, facilitating chapter visit

workshops, preparing for State FFA Convention and serving more than 25,000 Missouri FFA members, all while developing their own personal leadership skills along the way.

Sam credits his professional skillset to his time in the organization, including public speaking, effective communication and interviewing skills. He uses these often, in addition to his agricultural expertise and degree in agricultural economics from the University of Missouri, as the owner of Turner Ag Solutions in Ashland. Today, he works to provide quality service to all growers in Central Missouri, focusing on their needs within the areas of seed, fertilizer and crop protection.

“FFA led me to a life in agriculture and gave me the skills I needed to start my own business

in production agriculture,” he explains.

Though they had varying experiences throughout their time in FFA, both Sam and Samantha most enjoyed the people the blue jacket brought them. This network still serves the pair well today.

“The people are a great part of the organization,” Samantha says. “After all, that is where I met my husband. I cherish my sincere and lifelong friendships from the organization. I also know that now, working in the industry, I will always know a friendly face at a meeting, conference or event.”

Sam adds, “My favorite thing about FFA was meeting other FFA members from across the state. It really put in perspective how diverse Missouri agriculture is.

Did you know?

Sam goes on to say that FFA introduced him to some of his closest friends, including his wife.

“I hope anyone reading this has the same great experience with this great organization,” he says.

While they each took a different path in the organization, both Sam and Samantha Turner thank FFA for introducing them to the opportunities the Missouri agricultural industry has to offer and encourage others to take advantage.

“I encourage all students in high school to be involved with FFA, whether they have an agricultural background or not,” Samantha says. “The skills learned and connections made are truly incomparable to other organizations. FFA aids with enhancing skills, STEAM education, building relationships, career success, scholarship applications and so much more that would be vital assets to any young student interested in leadership development both in and beyond agriculture.”

Thanks to these experiences, Sam and Samantha are raising their children, Sterling and Sutton, as future Missouri FFA members with roots in the agricultural industry today.

Former FFA members SAMANTHA TURNER (LEFT IN GREEN) AND SAM TURNER (BELOW) served on the same missouri ffa state officer team. both credit ffa with helping them create lifelong friendships and finding niche in the agricultural industry.

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Growing up in Thayer, a small town on the Missouri-Arkansas border, Rouse says her middle sister, Abbi, introduced her to the FFA organization. Her family doesn’t come from a traditional farm background, but her grandparents do own a farm in Arkansas.

Rouse’s Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) is beef entrepreneurship. She took over managing the project after her sister left for college. Her goal for the project is to use artificial insemination to breed a heifer they raised from a bottle calf. Eventually, the sisters plan to develop their own herd of beef cattle.

In addition to her SAE, Rouse has served as historian and now vice president of her local chapter. She’s also a member of the chapter’s trap shooting team and plans to pursue public speaking.

“As a leader, you are expected to be able to speak with forwardness, so you need to be able to enunciate what you’re wanting to do in order to accomplish that,” Rouse says. “When you have that leadership position, you need to be able to communicate effectively, and that’s something I’ve learned through both FFA and the Miss America organization.”

She says being involved in both organizations has helped her communicate, think effectively and how to conduct herself during the interview process.

“There are multiple phases of competition within a pageant,” Rouse explains. “You do a private interview with a panel of judges, which is personally my favorite part. Then, you have onstage conversation where you’re asked

questions ranging from politics to personality. You have talent on stage, fitness and lifestyle and then evening gown.”

For the talent portion of the competition, Rouse gave a vocal performance of “That’s Life” by Frank Sinatra.

“I’ve grown up signing as long as I can remember,” she says. “My dad is the worship minister at our church, so I’ve been raised in that. So, it’s such an opportunity to be able to share something I love on a stage of this degree.”

Additionally, Rouse recently completed her video audition

for National FFA Talent Competition.

Since her involvement in the Miss America organization began, Rouse has competed in five different pageants. She first won the preliminary Miss Southern Missouri’s Teen pageant. To fulfill her title, Rouse will travel the state the next year making public appearances and advocating for her platform, which focuses on gun safety for children.

“I will be sharing my experiences through an opportunity I’ve gained by being

in FFA, which is trap shooting,” Rouse explains.

As part of her platform, Rouse says she wants to focus on how to properly secure and handle a gun.

“My grandpa has taught me how to handle a gun properly from as long as I can remember,” Rouse says. “Being in trap, I’m able to practice those skills and stay up to date with them. This gives me the opportunity to teach what I’ve learned to kids who might not be familiar with it.”

According to Rouse, 10 children every year between the ages of 0 and 14 die unintentionally from an unsecured firearm.

Although a date and location have not yet been announced, Rouse will represent Missouri in the Miss America’s Teen pageant. She’s not decided on a possible career path, but Rouse is considering studying biology in anticipation of becoming a physician assistant or perhaps earning a degree in agricultural business.

G racyn Rouse (right) serves as vice president of the Thayer FFA Chapter and is a member its trap shooting team. She was crowned Miss Missouri’s Teen 2023 at the annual pageant this past June in Mexico, Missouri.

—By Joann Pipkin

“I will be sharing my experiences through an opportunity I’ve gained by being in FFA, which is trap shooting.”

–Gracyn Rouse, Thayer FFA Miss Missouri’s Teen 2023

hands-on service Kindness Kits serve community, target food insecurity

ne of FFA’s core goals is building strong communities.

The last line of the FFA motto, “Living to Serve,” signifies the vital role service plays in attaining that goal. As such, the Missouri FFA Foundation provides opportunities for Missouri FFA members to engage in service at both the state and local chapter levels. One chapter that set a goal to build their community was Carrollton FFA.

Poverty and hunger have a significant presence in Carrollton, Missouri, a community with a population of less than 3,500 people. The problem is pervasive among elementary school aged children. The free and reducedprice lunch rate for the elementary school was 47.25% in November 2022. Equally concerning, 22 of those students were classified as homeless.

The Community Teachers Association (CTA) wanted to do something to support low-income families during the summer break, but they needed help. Brook Swindler, the agriculture education teacher at Carrollton, strongly believes her members put their leadership into action through service engagement. As a result, her students in FFA decided to partner with CTA and assist in tackling the issue of families needing help

meeting basic needs. The school social worker identified 75 families with children ranging in age from kindergarten to eighth grade who could benefit from assistance.

The chapter applied for and received grant funds from the Missouri FFA Foundation to help support a service project that addressed food insecurity. They assembled “Kindness Kits” which included crucial hygiene products, such as shampoo, conditioner, and deodorant, along with breakfast/meal bars. Since the FFA members secured donations in addition to the grant money, they were able to provide the resources to 198 people in the community, providing the equivalent of 1,040 meals!

As a chapter, they spent a total of 90 hours volunteering to build the kits.

Brook shares when the kits were distributed at the start of summer break to the identified students and families, the response was one of excitement and gratitude. The FFA Chapter didn’t stop there. With additional support, they teamed up with the Carroll County Extension and provided more kits that were distributed during the back-to-school supply fair on August 2.

Carrollton’s Living to Serve grant from the Missouri FFA Foundation was funded by the Missouri Farmers Care Drive to Feed Kids Mini-Grant Program.

—By Heather Dimitt-Fletcher

You can support programs for Missouri FFA chapters and members by making a donation at https://donorbox.org/moffafoundation.

Missouri FFA Foundation awarded the Carrollton FFA Chapter a Living to Serve Grant, which was used to address food insecurity. Chapter members packed Kindness Kits that were distributed to needy families.