MO FFA Today

Missouri

FFA TODAY Contents 1 WHERE OBSTACLES MEET PASSION 3 president’s perspective 4 SUCCESSFUL STEWARDSHIP 6 10 Tips for Scholarship apps 9 unlocking ambition

Upcoming

events

Dec. 11: Youth Pork Ambassador Program Scholarship Applications Due Jan. 8-10 Missouri Cattle Industry Convention & Trade Show, Lake of the Ozarks Jan. 15: National FFA Scholarship Applications Due

where OBSTACLES

MEET PASSION

rinceton FFA member Brylee Williams knows first-hand how a challenge can help develop passion in something.

The 2020 National Swine Production Entrepreneurship Proficiency Award finalist lost every litter born in January 2018 when Porcine Epidemic Darrhoea virus (PEDv) hit her farrowing house.

“We ran tests on every single pig we lost and worked with our vet for months to ensure that we did not have the problem again,” Williams explains.

Today, the young entrepreneur implements a strict vaccination protocol to help ensure pigs stay healthy.

Jan. 30: NWMSU Ag Alumni Event, Maryville

Williams grew up exhibiting livestock and has always had an interest in swine production.

“When I was very young my dad raised hogs at the Princeton FFA Research Farm,” she says.

“Some of my fondest memories were going down to the farrowing house and playing with the baby pigs. It only made sense that swine production would be my SAE (supervised agricultural experience).”

As part of her swine production entrepreneurship SAE, Williams has held two successful online pig sales and has placed three boars in boar studs across the country. continued on pAGE 4

A strict vaccination protocol helps Princeton FFA member Brylee Williams keep her pigs healthy. Williams was one of four national finalists for the 2020 National Swine Production Entrepreneurship Proficiency Award.

Feb. 1: Missouri Agribusiness Academy Applications Due

missouriffa.org

@Missouri FFA @missouriffa #MOFFAisHOME

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2020-21 State ffa officers Officer • Chapter Justin Eddy • Columbia President Mackenzie Porter • Archie 1st Vice President Jenna Perry • Liberal Secretary Vice Presidents Rachel Holt • Chillicothe Anna Milazzo • Grundy Co. Erin Heinecke • Paris Lauryn Robnett • Audrain Co. R-VI Colin Wilburn • Van Far Kiersten Helm • Lexington Kaylee Lower • Weaubleau Cade Shepherd • Mt. Vernon Felicity Cantrell • Seymour Lauren Gilbert • Chadwick Dakota Pemberton • Richland Madison Moll • Perryville Ricanna Spargo • Naylor State Officer Mentor Kensie Darst • Aurora Department of Elem. & Sec. Education P.O. Box 480, Jefferson City, MO 65102 Phone: (573) 751-3544.

District Supervisors: Leon Busdieker, 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

President’s

Perspective

s we head into the winter months of 2020, I want to take a quick moment and congratulate our very own former Missouri FFA President Paxton Dahmer on his election as the 2020-2021 National FFA Central Regional Vice-President! His election occurred during the 93rd National FFA Convention at the end of October. I spoke with Paxton after his election, and he told me that serving as a national officer has been a goal of his since he met Shae Booster, a National FFA Officer at the time, when he attended the Missouri FFA Convention.

Our conversation prompted me to think about the goals we set now that we want to achieve by then end of our high school career. Where do we see ourselves in five years? How about in 10 years? If you asked me these questions a few months ago, I would have told you that I had no idea, and that I didn’t even know what I was going to have for dinner that night. But after I spent some time reflecting on those questions, I realized that I did, in fact, know where I wanted to see myself. I just needed to look a little deeper than I was originally.

Now, I know that goal setting can be hard and uncomfortable.

It is not easy to sit down and write out where we want to see ourselves in the future. But when we do, those visions become reality. Those dreams become real. Those unachievable tasks become achievable results. I challenge all of us to take just five minutes and reflect on where we want to see ourselves in five years.

Take out a notecard, a piece of paper, or open a note on your phone and spend a little time reflecting. I promise you, when we are able to identify goals, we will be much more capable of reaching them.

Let’s set our goals today so that we can achieve our dreams tomorrow!

I hope this holiday season will bring joy, happiness and health to all of us!

Missouri FFA President Justin Eddy works with Weaubleau FFA first-year members during a Greenhand Motivational Conference. Greenhand FFA members were identifying opportunities in FFA and setting goals for their time in the organization.

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, national origin, age, or disability 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 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.

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Changing the World Through Excellence in Agriculture

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Degree Programs

Educational Facilities

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Big Happy Family

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Springfield, MO | 417-836-5050 | ag.missouristate.edu 3

successful

Stewardship and stewardship. It’s top of mind for Cory Word, and it helped him become a 2020 national finalist in the Environmental Science and Natural Resources Management Placement Proficiency Award area. Working for his grandfather at Hellwege Farms LLC, Word helps maintain and improve land quality for the row crop, hay and beef cattle operation.

In his role there, Word repairs and creates new waterways and integrates cover crops to improve soil health and prevent erosion.

He also assists with manure management for the farm’s feedlot.

“My SAE (supervised agricultural experience) has

taught me environmental stewardship as I take care of the land the most effective way, and my engagement in natural resource management has helped me achieve my goals in my diversified agricultural production experience.”

With little forehand knowledge of natural resource management, Word began by maintaining the farm’s current waterways. He then worked to repair and reseed those areas with wheat and fescue to prevent soil erosion and future washouts.

“One challenge I faced with my SAE was bad field conditions for planting due to increased rainfall in the fall and a lengthy harvest due to weather conditions,” Word

Planting cover crops helped Cory Word improve land quality as part of his Environmental Science and Natural Resources Management Placement Proficiency. Word was one of four national finalists in the award area in 2020.

explains. “The lengthy harvest left crops in the field during the time the cover crops should have been planted. When field conditions finally improved, I did not have much time to plant the cover crops.”

Word says his knowledge of environmental science and

natural resources increased dramatically throughout his SAE. While he began his project with an academic knowledge of cover crops, waterways and erosion, he says his placement SAE helped him implement that CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

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From the shirt on our backs to the food on our plates to the fuel in our tanks, we #ThankAFarmer every day here in Missouri!

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FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

environmental and natural resources knowledge.

“My SAE has taught me to be responsible with my time and passionate about agriculture and environmental practices for

the future,” Word says. “Good stewardship of the land and the future viability of the land is something I have become very passionate about.”

By Joann Pipkin

from page 1

She says that, coupled with her love of feeding and showing pigs, has only further developed her passion for the industry.

“Over the past few years, I have learned countless lessons,” Williams says. “From health and disease to feeding and breeding, I have tried my best to be a sponge.”

With lofty goals in mind, Williams hopes to continue learning from mentors in the industry. She says building relationships with others not only

helps her troubleshoot potential problems in her operation, but also is key to building network of customers.

“Hard work pays off,” she says. “Moving forward in life is dependent on learning from where you have been. Over the years I have been able to pursue my passion for the livestock industry, but my journey is far from over.”

Come join a Collegiate Farm Bureau chapter at the college or university of your choice.

By Joann Pipkin

SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES

98%

PLACEMENT RATE

HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE

AGRICULTURAL LEARNING CENTER

Browse recipes, cuts and cooking tips for the holidays at BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com

OPENING SPRING 2021

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10 TIPS

for Scholarship Apps he excitement of graduating from high school and beginning a collegiate career is among the most celebrated milestones in life. But, along with the excitement comes figuring out how to pay for school, which can be a burden for some students. Scholarships are the ideal option to help pay for college, and the amount of financial assistance available for students entering higher education is vast. Scholarship applications do require time and commitment, but the task pays off when you put your best effort into them. To help with the application process, consider these tips to improve your chances of obtaining scholarships.

2. Don’t avoid essays.

It might seem like a daunting task, but do not skip over applications that require an essay. Take your time, review the required content for the essay, edit the draft and edit again before submission.

3. Watch deadlines.

Be sure to keep track of all scholarship deadlines. Write the dates on a calendar that you will see daily. Your hard work on the application will be for nothing if you don’t submit it by the deadline.

1. Start early.

The earlier you begin the scholarship application process the better. If you begin applying your junior year, you will have plenty of practice and enough time to secure enough scholarships to hopefully pay for the first year of school by the time your freshman year of college rolls around.

4. Look for unique opportunities. Scholarships

for specific things like heritage, for example, can help boost chances of receiving more financial assistance. There is even a scholarship available for getting inspiration from a Branson show.

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will be unique in its own way. Be sure to cater your application essays to the goals and values of the specific college or university. Your essay will stand out and show you have done your research.

5. Let the small scholarships add up.

You don’t necessarily have to apply for the scholarships with the most amounts. It’s okay to apply for small amounts and let those build up over time. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t receive the largest amount, because any scholarship should be celebrated!

9. Get help proofreading your essays and applications. Ask your

school counselor or a trusted teacher assist with reviewing your essays and applications.

The most important part of any scholarship application is making sure it is error-free, including spelling and grammatical mistakes.

Have trusted professionals review your applications and essays before submitting.

6. Request letters of recommendation from people outside your family

and friend circle. Try to reach outside your usual circle when asking for letters of recommendation. Think of anyone in your academic career such as, teachers, coaches or advisors. Also, consider your work history and associated coworkers, bosses, etc.

10. Have a positive online presence. You never know when they’re going to look! Anyone can see your social profiles, including those reviewing your scholarship applications. Conduct a personal social media audit and consider whether or not your posts would help or hurt your chances of receiving a scholarship.

7. Use the academic resources around you to find

scholarships- advisors, teachers, etc when looking for scholarships. Don’t be afraid to ask for more information. Advisors and teachers are great resources for this and likely have more insight on opportunities that you may have missed while doing online searches.

—Information provided by Katelyn McCoy and Brianna Dawkins, Missouri State University Agricultural Communications.

8. Research the school before you write your essay and align your goals and values. Every school you apply to

MFA supports you.

The MFA Foundation has awarded more than 14,000 scholarships to students from rural communities where MFA Incorporated and MFA Oil Company and their affiliates conduct business. The foundation also contributes to the Missouri 4-H Foundation, Missouri FFA Association, Missouri Young Farmers Association and other programs consistent with its mission to provide educational opportunity for youth.

Return completed applications to your school counselor's office by February 15, 2021.

www.mfafoundation.com mfafoundation .com

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twitter.com/ mfa_inc

instagram.com/ mfaincorporated

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KEITH COBLE Home FFA Chapter: Mountain Grove What Keith does: Today, Keith is head of agricultural economics and assistant to the vice president of the division of agriculture, forestry and veterinary medicine at Mississippi State University. . what FFA Taught Keith: FFA unlocked Keith’s ambition and belief in himself. His experiences furthered his growth and encouraged him to keep showing up.

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Unlocking AMBITION rom an agricultural education classroom in Missouri to Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., the skills learned, and memories made, during his time in FFA have followed Keith Coble throughout every step of his professional career.

Coble’s first degree was in agricultural education. After teaching high school ag in Carl Junction, Missouri, he went back to school to obtain a degree in agricultural economics. Coble had the opportunity to work in Washington D.C. at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and on the Senate Agriculture Committee on Capitol Hill before settling into his current role.

Today, as the Mississippi State University agricultural economics department head and assistant to the vice president of the division of agriculture, forestry and veterinary medicine, Coble works with the college’s teaching, research and extension programs.

Though his job titles have changed over time, the skillset he calls upon to succeed has remained the same.

“I constantly use leadership skills here at the university, as well as when I was working on Capitol Hill,” Coble says. “There were experiences I gained in FFA around working with people, speaking to people and trying to make progress on something as a team.

I learned those skills in high school, and I often think of them when I meet other adults who didn’t learn those lessons along the way.”

Coble most enjoyed the competition fostered by Career Development Events and Leadership Development Events in FFA. He participated in several speaking events and participated on teams like livestock judging.

Even as an advisor, Coble enjoyed training students for contests. Leaning on his interest

Former member Keith Coble shares how his time in FFA impacts him still today.

By Brandelyn Martin Twellman in agricultural business and economics, he even trained a national-winning farm management team.

In addition to the tangible skills he took away, Coble says his experiences in the organization unlocked something that would ultimately change his trajectory.

“I grew up in southern Missouri in the Ozarks,” he explains. “My father did not graduate from high school, but my uncle was a state FFA officer, a role I got to hold later on. The thing my dad always taught me was that education would give me opportunities he did not have. Though my father did not graduate from high school, he was a strong champion of getting an education.

“Then, FFA came around, and I got the chance to go to National FFA Convention,” he says. “I got to go speak at different events as an officer, and I got to go to the Washington program. It opened my eyes to the things I could do and to the things I could be.”

FFA unlocked his ambition and belief in himself, he says.

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“I had no idea at the time that I would become a university professor, that I would work on Capitol Hill, that I would travel and speak at conferences,” Coble continues. “But, FFA gave me the confidence that I could do and be those things.”

Though he couldn’t see it at the time, that confidence brought on by his experiences in the organization furthered Coble’s growth by encouraging him to keep showing up.

“I really wanted to win the state public speaking contest, I really wanted to be the state president of Missouri FFA, and I kind of got second in both events,” he says. “I was second place in state speaking and the first vice president of the organization. But, if I look back at my life, the difference between being first and second was minimal. It was the fact that I was there. My life has gone on, and I think I’ve gotten to do the most amazing things because of the confidence I gained from those situations.”

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Scholarships* Shaping Rural Missouri grants** Interest-free funding for qualifying 4-H and FFA projects** Paid Internships

You are the next generation of agriculturists, and we can't wait to see what you do. You know that just having the desire to reach your goals isn't enough. It takes planning and action to make it happen. We want to help you on that road to success. Give us a call or visit myfcsfinancial.com to learn more about the opportunities available through our youth support programs.

Find an FCS Financial office near you: *Scholarship applicants must meet all qualifications in application to be eligible **Grant and Ag Youth Funding applicants must be a member of a 4-H club or FFA chapter located in one of the 102 Missouri counties served by FCS Financial. Growing Relationships. Creating Opportunities. is a trademark of FCS Financial, ACA.

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