MO FFA Today - Summer 2021

Missouri

FFA TODAY Contents 1 3 6 9 10

SAE in Session president’s perspective Is your rubber band ...? ties that bind you blue jacket brief

ON THE

calendar

june 1 LEAD Conference for Chapter Officers, Virtual, Online beginning June 1 June 7-july 16 FFA Camp - Kaiser June 8-10 Public Speaking Academy UCM, Warrensburg

SAE in session Summer means it’s time to grow and develop student projects chool may be out for the summer, but Missouri FFA members are still hard at work.

Whether it’s showing cattle at a county fair, clocking extra hours at a lumberyard or conducting an agriscience experiment, summer is the perfect time to grow Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE).

“SAE programs are a vital part to a quality agricultural education program,”

says Stacy French, Community R-VI agricultural education teacher and Audrain County R-VI FFA advisor. “These handson projects allow students to develop their passion and interest in different aspects of agriculture, as well as develop work skills and characteristics that will help them in their future careers.”

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June 18-20 HYMAX Academy - Kaiser June 22-24 HYPE Academy - TBD July 1 Missouri State Fair Entries Due July 30-Aug 7 Ozark Empire Fair Springfield

Community R-VI FFA members Aaron Carter and Ethan Fort fill a planter to finish planting soybeans. FFA Advisor Stacy French says Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs) are hands-on and provide students an opportunity to explore their passions and interests while also developing work skills to help with future careers.

Aug 12-22 Missouri State Fair - Sedalia

missouriffa.org @Missouri FFA @missouriffa #MOFFAisHOME

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2021-22 State ffa officers Officer • Chapter Kaitlin Kleiboeker • Pierce City President Abigail Miller • Eldon 1st Vice President Emily Hoyt • Audrain Co. R-VI Secretary Vice Presidents Chris Ebbesmeyer • Paris Vanessa Enslow • East Newton Meagan Forck • Blair Oaks Rachel Grimes • Archie Seth Hansen • Chillicothe Trenton Jones • Higginsville Izabella Hutton Kidwell • Troy Caitlyn Kleffner • Rolla Kraysen Leonard • El Dorado Springs Grant Norfleet • Mexico Hannah Shanks • Vienna Riley Spurgeon • Cuba Anna Triplett • Memphis State Officer Mentor Dakota Pemberton 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.

President’s

Perspective

cannot begin to express how excited I am for this summer. After the crazy year of pandemic shutdowns it is exciting to see activities opening up in person. I am eager to meet and get to know each and every Missouri FFA members this year. However, as the school year comes to a close, this is a good time to reflect on our past and the lessons we learned.

One particular lesson sticks out to me.

I hope you can reflect on it and apply it during all of your activities this summer and into next year.

My freshman year in high school I joined Scholars Bowl. As a new member, I was hesitant to press the buzzer and answer questions in practice because I worried about embarrassing myself with a wrong answer. Of course, if I never answered any questions, I never scored any points.

My coach, Mr. Ward, looked at me and said, “Kaitlin, dare to be wrong.” This simple phrase shaped my life. I realize the best experiences occurred when I dared to be wrong.

For example, you might be surprised to know I almost did not join FFA. After watching my incredible older brother thrive in FFA I was intimidated by his success. However, my parents strongly encouraged me to join. Thankfully, I was wrong about FFA. This organization provided me with a home and ample learning opportunities that will last a lifetime.

Missouri FFA, as you participate in summer activities — whether running for an FFA camp office, speaking up during a HYMAX workshop, or meeting new friends at the Missouri State Fair — step out of your comfort zone. This summer is going to provide you with countless opportunities to try something you never thought possible.

I encourage you to take that chance and surprise yourself. I dare you to take that opportunity. I dare you to make a new friend. I dare you to give that speech. I dare you to find that adventure.

Missouri FFA, I dare you to be wrong.

Kaitlin

Missouri FFA President Kaitlin Kleiboeker is thankful she took listened to her parents when they encouraged her to join FFA. The organization has provided her both a home and countless learning opportunities.

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

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Summer is often spent growing these hands-on experiences.

“Over the summer, students have more time to work on growth and development of their SAE projects,” French says. “I work with students to plan and implement improvement projects, as well as develop plans to grow their projects. Every student has a unique SAE, so it varies from student to student on what improvement, growth and development may look like.”

Some chapters even lean into the community to help this growth happen.

Maggie McClain, Lathrop agricultural education teacher and FFA advisor, values the local relationships gained through SAEs. “Over the summer, I am in contact with several business owners, farmers, and other individuals that are either looking

FFA chapters like Lathrop value local partnerships gained through SAEs. Advisor Maggie McClain helps develop relationships between students and business owners, farmers and other individuals during the summer to build and grow projects.

for students to come work for them or that have resources to help my students start an entrepreneurship SAE,” she says.

For growth to occur, students must take ownership of their projects and develop a plan.

“The first thing members who want to grow their SAE should do is set goals that they want to achieve,” French advises.

“Then, sit down with their FFA advisor or parents and develop a plan of action to achieve those goals.”

Community R-VI FFA member Joe Dubbert replaces bearings so he can get back into the field. FFA advisor and agricultural education instructor Stacy French says SAEs are hands-on projects that help students find their passion and develop work skills that will help them in their future careers.

“I go on SAE visits to help my students further develop their projects throughout the summer,” McClain says. “During my visits, we discuss what they have learned from their project so far and set new goals for the future. My students have a wide variety of SAEs from beekeeping to working at a seed store, so each visit is unique to whatever will best help that student succeed.”

Sponsors and supporters can play a big role in accomplishing those goals.

“Members who want to grow their SAE should look for opportunities and take advantage of them,” French adds. “Students can complete grant applications through the National FFA Organization to earn money to grow and develop their projects. FCS Financial has opportunities for students to apply for loans, and many companies are willing to help students with job shadowing if that is an interest they have.”

A definite benefit of SAEs is the opportunity for individualization. Students explore sectors of the industry they may have learned about in class that are of keen interest to them.

“A quality SAE leads to students learning skills that will help them in the future,” French says. “It’s okay to have CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

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SAE programs that may not have a lot of financial investment or gain. If a student is learning something and developing a passion for agriculture, they are getting the benefit of having a quality SAE program.”

No matter the type of SAE, McClain gives this advice to members: “If you are working to grow your SAE, make sure you are asking for help. Ag teachers, community members, and so many more people want to help, and they just need to know what you need. Also, take the time to consistently learn more about what you do. Find out if there are any classes or lectures you could go to this summer that relate to your SAE.”

—by Brandelyn Twellman

Summer provides opportunities for students to work on growth and development of their SAEs.

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Is your rubber band

stretched to the max? was asked this question just four years ago when I was running as a junior officer during my freshman year of high school. This might feel like an easy and simple question to answer, but for me the question meant so much more than just the comparison of FFA and a rubber band.

I gave two answers to the question. The first thing that came to mind for me was that FFA is resilient. No matter how far you stretch a rubber band it will return to its original shape. The Missouri FFA Association and its members overcame a global pandemic; we overcame some of the biggest adversity that many of us will face during our time in the Missouri FFA Association.

The second answer I replied with is that you can pull and stretch a rubber band as much as you want or don’t want. This might seem like a simple answer, but another member in my chapter also explained it this way. To both of us, our answers were almost identical. “As an FFA member, we can stretch our rubber band out just a little by taking an

agriculture class in high school, or we can stretch our rubber band out a lot by being active in FFA.” While I was in high school, I was active in FFA. Between public speaking, dairy foods, and meats evaluation competitions, FFA Camp, Public Speaking Academy and HYMAX (Helping Youth Maximize Agriculture eXperiences), I learned how I could stretch my rubber band.

My challenge for you during your time in FFA is to stretch your rubber band as far as you want it. Are you going to leave your rubber band stretched only a little or are you going to stretch your rubber band to its max? —by Meagan Forck

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learn more about

the CAFNR experience

CAFNR SUMMER ACADEMIES

cafnr.missouri.edu/summer-academies

MFA supports you.

MFA understands and appreciates your hard work in 4-H and FFA livestock projects.

To celebrate it, MFA hosts the 4-H and FFA Project Premium Program. Designed to help you take livestock projects to the next level, members who use MFA products can compete in county and state Rate-of-Gain contests for cash prizes. Beef, Dairy, Swine, Sheep, Bucket Calf and Goat projects qualify for participation.

For project guidelines and entry form visit

www.mfa-inc.com/Youth mfafoundation .com

facebook.com/ MFAIncorporated

twitter.com/ mfa_inc

instagram.com/ mfaincorporated

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Kurt Voss Home FFA Chapter: union What Kurt does: Kurt is a practicing attorney with the law firm Zick, Voss, Politte & Richardson in Washington, Missouri. what FFA Taught Kurt: FFA taught Kurt how to speak on his feet and interact with people. “Relying on my FFA experience, including listening and understanding both sides of the situation, is key to what I do every day.”

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Ties that

BIND YOU urt Voss is certain of one thing: FFA helped him get where he’s at today.

The former Union FFA member is an attorney in Washington, Missouri, where he maintains a civil practice that focuses on estate planning for individuals as well as small agribusinesses looking to transition their operations to the next generation.

“Relying on my FFA experience, including listening and understanding both sides of the situation, is key to what I do every day,” Voss explains.

Growing up on a small farm near the community of Beaufort, Voss participated in most every FFA activity his chapter offered. His SAE focused on raising beef steers as well as working on the family farm and neighboring operations. The money he earned helped pay his way through college.

In high school, Voss took part in career development events — from dairy products to field crops to farm management — but was most involved with extemporaneous speaking. After winning the state contest, he went on to finish as one of the top four in the National FFA Extemporaneous Speaking Contest.

“Those FFA experiences taught me to deal with people,” Voss says. “Everything you achieve in FFA leadership opportunities is based on interviews. That was certainly a leg up for me going to college and still is in my profession today

From the courtroom to the board room, former member Kurt Voss keeps close ties to agriculture.

By Joann Pipkin when I’m in the courtroom, speaking on my feet and being able to make complex subjects simple.”

After serving as chapter and area president while in high school, Voss went on to be State FFA President in 1982-83.

He earned his undergraduate degree in agricultural economics before completing his law degree, all from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Voss says the early 1980s farm crisis helped him realize a career in production agriculture would be tough, so he had to find another way to end up in the industry. His law career, he says, allowed him the opportunity to purchase a farm of his own in north Missouri.

From learning how to interact with people to how to speak on his feet, Voss is quick to credit FFA for his success.

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“I learned how to think, how to keep good financial records with the record books for my SAE program,” he says.

“It didn’t make sense always on the first day, but now so much of what I do is dealing with accounting issues and record keeping. I serve on a bank board and am constantly reviewing financial statements and financial analysis and profit and loss.

So, all of those experiences have wound into what I do today.”

Voss encourages FFA members to take advantage of the experiences the organization offers.

“My classmates and I knew we would not be farmers in the sense of production agriculture day in and day out, but today are involved in activities surrounding agriculture or rural communities. You never know where life is going to take you.”

Blue Jacket Brief Chris Ebbesmeyer

Emily Hoyt

Paris ffa

Audrain Co. R-VI ffa

University of Missouri-Columbia, Park, Recreation, and Sport (Business Administration)

University of Missouri Ag Education, Communication & Leadership

MY PLANS FOR THE FUTURE:

MY PLANS FOR THE FUTURE:

After earning a degree in Park, Recreation and Sport (Business Administration) from the University of MissouriColumbia, I hope to become a golf course manager. I plan to also obtain my PGA Certification and become a PGA Professional at the golf course. Through this path I will not only be able to work in an industry I am passionate for, but will also be able to advocate for the agriculture industry by still returning to my roots in the FFA Organization.

My agriculture education classes have opened my eyes to the many different avenues our industry has to offer, as well as the continuous demand and misconceptions we are faced with every day. In the future I hope to use my degree in Ag Education, Communication and Leadership to help communicate with producers and consumers about the importance of agriculture and the many opportunities it has to provide.

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