Missouri
Contents A Back to school B president’s perspective C MEET THE 2019-20 STATE OFFICERS E FROM THE GROUND UP H BUILDING COMMUNITIES J BLUE JACKET BRIEF L FOR STUDENTS, BY STUDENTS 0 ARE YOU MAKING A DIFFERENCE?
Upcoming
events
Sept. 19 National Teach Ag Day Sept. 26: Mo. Cattlemen’s Foundation Farm Safety Day, Columbia Sept. 27: Missouri State University Farm Safety College, Springfield Oct. 16-27: American Royal Livestock Show, Kansas City Oct. 30-Nov. 2: National FFA Convention, Indianapolis, Indiana
FFA TODAY Back to school ack-to-school season can be an overwhelming time for parents and students alike. Between picking out classes, trying new sports and deciding on organizations to join, high school freshmen have an especially busy season on their hands. The Cass Career Center FFA Chapter officers noticed the effect this was having on their first-year members’ level of participation and took action by creating a Greenhand Information Night and Ice Cream Social to be held the second or third week of school to boost involvement.
“The main goal is for Greenhands and their parents to see the opportunities in FFA and get excited for those opportunities,” said Jason Dieckhoff, a Cass Career Center FFA Chapter advisor. “We started hosting our Greenhand Information Night and Ice Cream Social in 2016. Our chapter officers started the event because the year prior, it took about half the year before Greenhand members felt very comfortable coming to chapter activities. We wanted to increase
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Cass Career Center FFA brings incoming Greenhands and parents together with chapter officers to get the new members acquainted with the organization and its activities. A series of stations provide information about field trips, Supervised Agricultural Experiences, fundraising, career and leadership development events and more.
Fall district speaking contests: Nov. 7: Southeast, Bloomfield NOv. 12: South Central, Rolla Nov. 13: Central, UCM, Warrensburg Nov. 13: Northeast, South Shelby Nov. 13: Northwest, Cameron Nov. 14: Southwest, TBD
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MISSOURI FFA ASSOCIATION
2019-20 State ffa officers Officer • Chapter Brenden Kleiboeker • Pierce City President Isaiah Massey • Troy 1st Vice President Alexandra Gast • Nevada Secretary Vice Presidents Elizabeth Brooks • Ashland Kensie Darst • Aurora Jacob Hall • Marshall Jessica Janorschke • DeKalb Andrew Kientzy • Silex Jacob Knaebel • Fatima Natalie Koch • Belle Kaylee Lewis • Chillicothe Andrew Moore • Clark County Matthew Morgan • Lamar Tyler Schuster • Boonville Katherine Thompson • Columbia Alexis Wilkinson • Sikeston State Officer Mentor Quentin Carlyle • East Prairie 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 & Steven Rogers
President’s
Perspective
hat a summer! FFA Camp, state fair and officer retreats are all wrapping up. I am thankful to have met many of you this summer and hope to meet many more in the coming months. However, let’s stop for a minute to reflect upon all we have learned through FFA this summer. What does it mean and what are we going to do with it? For me, the parable of the talents immediately comes to mind. In the parable, a master going on a journey gives talents to his servants. One receives five, one receives two, one receives one. Upon the master’s arriving home, one servant comes back with 10 talents, one with four, and one with just one. The master is displeased with the third servant, for he did not use his talents for good. The same applies to us in FFA. This summer, we have learned many things. We have developed our potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career
success. However, none of this is worth anything unless we share our talents with one another. It is said that “Sharing is Caring,” and I cannot express how true this is, especially in our organization. No one person is perfect at everything. Without sharing our talents with one another, we cannot expect to find the true meaning of leadership and teamwork. Whether it’s sharing speaking tips, SAE Experiences, or life stories, our organization is driven by members sharing their talents with one another. By sharing our talents we not only better ourselves but our organization as a whole. FFA members, we will continue to grow throughout the year making new experiences and discoveries. Don’t forget to share these with one another, because chances are someone has shared theirs with you. Have a great year!
— Brenden Kleiboeker
Your Missouri State FFA Officers traveled this summer to Nashville, Tennessee, to film three episodes of FFA Today on RFD-TV. The show uses state officers from across the nation to host the episodes.
Missouri FFA Today • Joann Pipkin, Editor 3674 S. State Hwy N • Republic, MO 65738 Email: info@missouriffa.org Phone: (417) 827-2756 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, Office of the General Counsel, Coordinator – Civil Rights Compliance (Title VI/ Title IX/504/ADA/Age Act), 6th Floor, 205 Jefferson Street, P.O. Box 480, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0480; telephone number 573-5264757 or TTY 800-735-2966; fax number 573-522-4883; email civilrights@dese.mo.gov.
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MISSOURI FFA ASSOCIATION
Meet the 2019-20 State FFA officers
Front Row (L-R): Alexis Wilkinson, Sikeston; Alexandra Gast, Nevada; Kenzie Darst, Aurora; and Jessica Janorschke, DeKalb. Middle Row (L-R): Jacob Knaebel, Fatima; Natalie Koch, Belle; Katherine Thompson, Columbia; Andrew Moore, Clark County; and Matthew Morgan, Lamar. Back Row (L-R): Jacob Hall, Marshall; Elizabeth Brooks, Ashland; Andrew Kientzy, Silex; Kaylee Lewis, Chillicothe; Isaiah Massey, Troy; Brenden Kleiboeker, Pierce City; and Tyler Schuster, Boonville..
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sara Gavin schafer Spoor Hometown: Hometown: Jamestown, Missouri Martinsburg, Missouri What sara does: What gavin does: Sara is editor of Top Producer Gavin is a senior at the magazine, produced by Farm University of Missouri-Columbia, Journal Media. majoring in ag systems management. He also grows what sara learned from ffa: popcorn and markets it in retail Sara first learned what ag outlets throughout central and journalism was while attending northeast Misosuri. Missouri State FFA Convention what learned from ffa: in highgavin school. The career A first-generation Gavin combined her lovefarmer, of farming learned and outs of with thatthe of ins writing. Today, production agriculture as well she shares helpful information as how to keep records with farmers toaccurate help them through his involvement with be successful in their farm agriculture businesses. education and FFA in high school. D
MISSOURI FFA ASSOCIATION
From the ground Up reams only work if you do. It’s a phrase former FFA member Gavin Spoor holds close to his heart. At only 21, Spoor is a firstgeneration farmer. As a toddler growing up outside rural Martinsburg, Spoor scurried to the kitchen window where he would watch for hours as the big tractors worked the ground surrounding his family’s home. At 16, he began working for local farmers after school and on weekends. As a member of the Community R-VI FFA Chapter, Spoor excelled in the agronomy and forestry career development events. He was also a state winner in the grain production placement proficiency. Spoor has fond memories of FFA helping mold him into the young farmer he is today. “FFA played a huge role in my high school career,” Spoor says. “It taught me how to work hard, study and be competitive. Through my SAE (supervised agricultural experience) and working for local farmers, I learned not only the ins and outs of hands-on
Former FFA member Gavin Spoor tells how he became a firstgeneration farmer. By Joann Pipkin farming but also how to keep accurate records.” Despite the fact that his parents worked in town, Spoor had a fondness for the veteran farmers near his home. “The last person in my family to farm was my grandpa, and he passed away in 1977,” Spoor says of his maternal grandfather, Charles Schaefer. Although the two never knew each other, Spoor today rents, from an aunt and uncle, land that his grandfather once farmed. “It’s cool following my grandpa’s footsteps farming the same ground he did,” he says. In 2016 Spoor started his own farming operation. The young entrepreneur planted soybeans on six cash-rented acres. The crop made him just enough money for a down payment on a tractor. “Last year, I farmed 120 acres, and E
15 of that was popcorn,” Spoor explains. This year, he will farm 180 acres of mostly soybeans with between 35 and 40 acres of popcorn. He also owns a custom spraying and seed business with a friend from high school. The operation allows both young farmers to buy inputs at a reduced rate. Returns on corn and soybeans can be somewhat challenging for a farm’s cash flow, so Spoor looked for a specialty crop that could turn a profit for a small producer like himself. With little extra time to sit by a roadside
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vegetable stand, he turned to popcorn. “It has a long shelf life,” Spoor explains. “You can ship it fairly easily and market it pretty well.” Realizing he couldn’t compete with well-known popcorn brands, Spoor instead looks at creative marketing, working to connect with consumers. “I can’t compete on price, and I don’t want to,” he says. “I try to compete with the story. I try to add value to my product by telling the story behind it.” Realizing the disconnect often seen between farmers and today’s consumer, Spoor hopes to use social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and YouTube to show customers the real story behind growing popcorn.
“To get on the same playing field with all of the established farmers, I have to work twice as hard. I live by the quote, ‘Dreams only work if you do.’” –Gavin Spoor F
“So many people don’t know where their food comes from,” he explains. “With corn and soybeans, it’s difficult to talk to someone that’s not familiar with agriculture. They don’t understand that it gets turned into ethanol or cattle feed. But popcorn goes straight into their microwave. So, it’s a lot easier to start that conversation.” A senior at the University of Missouri-Columbia, Spoor combines his tech-savvy marketing technique with good grass-roots hard work. And Spoor’s efforts are paying off. Thus far, consumers can find Spoor Farms popcorn online at spoorfarms.com as well as in 11 retail outlets in central and northeast Missouri, including HyVee in Columbia. With nothing more than determina-
MISSOURI FFA ASSOCIATION
Did you know? First generation farmer Gavin Spoor connects with consumers by sharing his story of growing popcorn through social media channels like Facebook, instagram and YouTube. Follow Gavin on instagram at @Gavin_Spoor.
tion and a story to tell, Spoor stepped inside store after store asking to speak to the manager. He explains, “I literally walked in the door and said, ‘Hey, is your manager here? Can I talk to him? I’ve got a product. What would it take to sell at your store?’” For a young person starting out in agriculture, the challenges can be overwhelming. Yet Spoor’s hard work and determination have helped him persevere and make his dreams a reality. “I knew I wanted to farm since I was really young. I just didn’t know how I was going to make it happen,” Spoor says. “To get on the same playing field with all of the established farmers, I have to work twice as hard. I live by the quote ‘Dreams only work if you do.’” Finding a financial partner that understands agriculture and believes in young people has been key in helping Spoor get his operation started. With the help of FCS Financial’s Young, Beginning, Small Farmer Loan Program, Spoor secured the operating capital he needed for seed, fertilizer and equipment. Spoor has a keen eye for record keeping, a skill he first learned in FFA. It’s a talent he advises FFA members to pay special attention to. “It’s very important to keep accurate records of income and expenses,” he says. “That’s the behindthe-scenes part of a business that not many people see or think about.” Attitude also goes a long way toward
“Through my SAE and working for local farmers, I learned not only the ins and outs of farming but also how to keep accurate records. ” — Gavin Spoor
helping build a successful career, no matter what you decide to do, Spoor says. “You will have long days when you feel uninspired and don’t want to do anything, but those are the most important days to get out of bed and get to work.”
—By Joann Pipkin, editor
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HOW TO GET Started in Farming
CS Financial offers special rates and terms for young, beginning or small farmers. If you’re a farmer age 35 years or younger, a beginning farmer or a small farm operator, FCS Financial has a loan program to fit your needs. • You may be eligible for lowerpercentage down payment in partnership with Farm Service Agency loans. • FCS Financial can help coordinate with federal and state loan guarantee programs. • Loans are available for real estate, operating expenses, machinery and equipment purchases and capital improvements. • Experienced staff are available to help you through the financing process. In addition to young, beginning and small farmer loans, FCS Financial also supports young people in agriculture through its Ag Youth Program, which is aimed specifically at Missouri FFA and 4-H members. The program provides interest-free funds for qualifying projects repayable within one year and assists students by providing financial aid and educational assistance. The overall goal of the program is to emphasize the importance of keeping accurate records, budgeting and honoring obligatons to repay — setting the future farmer or rancher with the tools, skills and contacts to move forward into a rewarding and successful agriculture career.
MISSOURI FFA ASSOCIATION
Building communities
and Family Bonds service focus brings braymer to top chapter honors mall but mighty. These three words can be used to describe this year’s Top Chapter named at the 91st Missouri FFA Convention held earlier this year. Lead by 12 chapter officers and advisor Paige Brock, the Braymer FFA Chapter planned and hosted countless activities and events to grow leaders, build communities and strengthen agriculture.
“Our chapter is one of the smaller chapters,” said Dustin Davies, 2018-2019 chapter president. “We don’t have a lot of members, but every one of our members works very hard at everything they do through the FFA.” The smaller nature of their chapter allows each member to participate and remain on the same page. “It’s a small chapter,” said Keaton H
O’Dell, 2018-2019 chapter vice president. “We have 45 members in our chapter, and we all know each other. We all know each other’s names. We talk to each other on a daily basis, and we get along great. We’re very cohesive, and we work well together.” This hard work and cohesion paid off when Braymer was named Top Chapter
MISSOURI FFA ASSOCIATION
Did you know? Braymer FFA has 45 members and was named top Chapter at the Missouri state FFA convention held last April. The chapter works to create a well-rounded program of activities.
in the state, a surprise to many of the chapter’s members. “The student that was on stage accepting the award, he actually thought that there was a mistake and that he wasn’t actually supposed to be standing up there since they hadn’t called our name yet,” Davies said, laughing. “We were very shocked and very excited to win that award.”
This recognition is backed by a year of hard work, starting with the chapter’s Program of Activities (POA). “At the beginning of the year, we decide what will be in the POA and what activities we are going to do,” Davies said. “A lot of the activities are annual, so we like to keep them the same, but we are also always looking for new things and activities to do.”
From there, the finer details are ironed out to ensure that the POA is organized and well-rounded. While all sections are addressed, members of the Braymer FFA Chapter like to focus a lot of their attention on building communities. “I think we like to focus primarily on the building communities section,” Davies said. “In everything we do, even if it is in growing leaders or strengthening agriculture, we are still bringing it back to our community and using the events to build our community.” O’Dell agreed and added, “We’re very involved in our community. I’d say we are a big-hearted chapter.” From picking up trash to the Teal Pumpkin Project, members of the
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MFA supports you. The Ag Experience program is a work-study program that gives college students the opportunity to spend 12 weeks in the real world of production agriculture. During their Ag Experience, students work alongside employees, getting hands-on experience in an area that matches their career objectives. Each internship experience is tailored to fit the student’s individual interests, passion and career goals.
Download a brochure and application at
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facebook.com/ MFAIncorporated
twitter.com/ mfa_inc
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Braymer FFA Chapter are no strangers to serving others. “During harvesting season, we will pack lunches and take them to our local co-op for farmers as they are unloading their grain,” Davies said, “so, they can have food without having to worry about stopping and getting something.” O’Dell’s favorite event is also community-focused. “We help with Smoke in the Valley,” he said. “It’s our tractor pull here in Braymer. It gets the FFA name out there and shows we are supporting the community.” In addition to their full calendar and focus on service, the Braymer FFA
Chapter’s family atmosphere makes it unique. “We are like a family,” O’Dell said. “We’re everything a family should be. We work together, and we work hard together.” Davies agreed and added that their chapter’s members are especially close. “Everybody always says that FFA is a family,” he said. “But I feel like our chapter is a really, really close-knit family. If anyone needs any help with their SAE or a contest team, they just need to ask another member, and they are more than willing to help.”
—By Brandelyn Martin
Blue Jacket Brief Jacob Hall MARSHALL FFA University of Missouri- Columbia Agriculture Education
My SAE: My SAE includes diversified livestock production where I raise llamas and rabbits for show and pet qualities. On top of that SAE, I have worked with Agriculture Education on the Move and Agriculture Innovators Experience to bring agriculture lessons to students all across the state of Missouri.
My advice: Get involved! This is an organization where you truly get out what you put in. Endless opportunities are waiting for you to explore and experience. FFA is for students from differing backgrounds. I personally didn’t come from a production background, but I have still found my passion and place in agriculture and FFA.
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BY YOUR SYDE FOR 75 YEARS! continued FROM page A
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the participation level of Greenhands earlier in the year.” To build participation, the chapter began by increasing awareness of opportunities and events. “We invite all new Greenhands, as well as their parents,” Dieckhoff said. “Chapter FFA officers start the evening with opening ceremonies and a president’s welcome. Our treasurer goes over the dues for the year and what dues pay for. The rest of the evening, Greenhands and their parents enjoy ice cream and toppings while going around to different stations to listen to chapter officers talk about opportunities in FFA and the ag program.” These stations typically cover opportunities like chapter field trips, trapshooting, Supervised Agricultural Experiences, chapter fundraising, Career Development Events, Leadership Development Events and more. Additionally, the event is meant to connect chapter officers with the Greenhand members. Coming from a larger school, the officers might not already know incoming freshmen. Building this relationship early in the year makes it easier for the officers to interact with Greenhands in the halls of the high school, during lunch or even at other school activities. Dieckhoff said the firstyear students also enjoy hearing about events directly from the chapter officers themselves. “Greenhands react better to their peers than to hearing opportunities from advisors or their parents,” he explained. “By letting Greenhands interact one-on-one with chapter officers, they feed off the enthusiasm of the officers and get excited about what they can do in FFA.” Kara Vergouven, a second-year member of the Cass Career Center FFA Chapter, agreed and said the most memorable part of the evening was hearing from the officers. She attended the event last year. “My favorite part about the Greenhand Night was talking to the previous FFA members and learning about all the different things that the organization had to offer. Listening to them had me even more excited about being a part of FFA and cleared up all the questions I had,” Vergouven said. Dieckhoff said the event has accomplished its main purpose, and there has been an increase in Greenhand participation at events throughout the year. He also cited benefits such as increased parent communication and an established professional tone for their organization. Vergouven said the Greenhand Information Night and Ice Cream Social increased her involvement because she was excited about pursuing the opportunities discussed. “Before the event, I didn’t realize all the different activities they had,” she said. “Once I went and found out what they did, I went to most of the activities. Now, I encourage everyone to try FFA because I think they will like it very much.”
13 MISSOURI LOCATIONS TO WORK FROM
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We’re now offering our Agriculture Buiness Certificate in two locations. www.ncmissouri.edu
Join a Collegiate Farm Bureau chapter at the university of your choice!
• Agricultural Business • Agricultural Education • Agricultural Science • Agronomy • Animal Science • Animal Science – Pre-Vet • Horticulture
— By Brandelyn Martin K
MISSOURI FFA ASSOCIATION
FALL SPEAKING contests MISSOURI ASSOC. OF SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICTS www.maswcd.net Contact: Peggy Lemons peggyl@maswcd.net MISSOURI CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION www.mocattle.com Contact: Sydney Thummel sydney@mocattle.com MISSOURI FARM BUREAU www.mofb.org Contact: Eric Volmer evolmer@mofb.com MISSOURI INSTITUTE OF COOPERATIVES www.mic.coop/ Contact: Kristi Livingston LivingstonK@missouri.edu MISSOURI PET BREEDERS ASSOCIATION www.mpbaonline.org Contact: Kevin Beauchamp 4agfriends@gmail.com MISSOURI PORK ASSOCIATION http://www.mopork.com FFASpkngCntst.asp Contact: Diane Slater diane@mopork.com MISSOURI QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION www.MoQHA.com Contact: Joe Eddy joe.eddy2814@gmail.com
For Students By Students MOUNT VERNON STUDENTS GET TO KNOW ANIMAL AGRICULTURE hat started as a search for firsthand experiences with livestock for students of the Mount Vernon agricultural education program ended in a 10-month building project, now known as the animal science lab. Built for students by students, the lab is designed to help members of the Mount Vernon FFA Chapter become more familiar with animal agriculture. Agricultural educators and FFA advisors Jay Shepherd and Steven Prewitt started crafting in December 2017 their idea of a hands-on space where students could learn about livestock. “We had posts driven by a local fence
builder who is an alumnus,” Shepherd said. “My students built the rest of it.” Using a mobile welding trailer made the year before, students Ryan Raucher, Lane Hale and Corby Allen used their welding skills to build the lab. Between working during their agricultural education classes and coming in on their own time, these students completed the project in 10 months. “We worked on the lab pretty much every day,” Raucher said. “Sometimes after school, sometimes on weekends. Just
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Agriculture education students at Mount Vernon High School constructed an animal science lab that helps FFA members gain hands-on learning experiences.
MISSOURI SHEEP PRODUCERS www.missourisheep.com/ youthprograms.htm Contact: Ed DeOrnellis edornel@amfam.com MISSOURI TEACH AG www.moteachag.org Contact: Pam Rowland pprowland@windstream.net MISSOURI YOUNG FARMERS/FARM WIVES ASSOCIATION Contact: Lisa Evans lisa.evans@dese.mo.gov L
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whenever we had time. We even came in during the summer.” The students said they gained just as much as they gave while volunteering their time. “We learned a lot from it,” Allen said. “We just saw what needed to be done, and we knew how to do it, so we just kind of took action and made it our priority during school.” Now, their hard work is paying off as they enjoy the finished project and students start using the lab for hands-on learning experiences. “My favorite part is finally seeing it done and knowing that it was basically three kids that put it together,” Raucher said. Allen agreed and added that it is rewarding to know he played a part in building the structure. The animal science lab is made up of sorting pens made for many different
species. Rather than being a place to house student Supervised Agricultural Experiences, the space is dedicated to labs for learning more about livestock and animal agriculture. It will be used primarily by Animal Science and Ag Science 1 classes during livestock units. “The main purpose is to get students’ hands on live animals,” Shepherd said. “To help them learn how to deal with live animals, whether it’s injections, deworming or castration. We’ve even had someone come in to teach artificial insemination in cattle.” The point is to have a consistent place to bring livestock to the students instead of having to make trips to various farms. “When our advisors get on a certain unit, they’ll bring in some animals, like cattle,” Raucher said. “We’ve castrated cattle, vaccinated and ear tagged them. We checked a couple cows to see if they were pregnant. We’ve even brought in show cattle, clipped them and showed them in
the lab.” Raucher said the lab isn’t just for cattle, though. They have brought in other animals, like horses, as well. “We’ve worked some cattle in the lab,” Shepherd added. “We had a lab for horses where students saddled a horse. We’ve had some dairy cattle in to judge and had judging practice in the lab with goats and other animals.” This hands-on education is equally important for both students who come from a livestock background and those who do not. “We have a lot of kids in our program that are close to the farm, but many times if they are doing something, like working cattle, they’re the ones in the back pushing the cattle up,” Shepherd said. “So, we’re trying to get them some more direct
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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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experience.” In addition to those students familiar with the farm, Mount Vernon also has students who have never been around livestock. The lab serves as their opportunity to experience firsthand what they are learning about in class. “The students really enjoy any sort of hands-on stuff in class,” Shepherd said. “Because of the lab, they’ve gotten to see a lot of things they otherwise wouldn’t.” Shepherd acknowledged the fact that the lab was made possible only by the gracious support of the surrounding community. “We sent out some letters to some key people we thought might be interested in supporting the project,” Shepherd said. “We sent out about 16 letters, and we got enough responses to start building. We decided we would try to get the money as we went along.” Seeing the benefit of having a space
“We’re trying to get the (students) more direct experience... Because of the lab, (students have) gotten to see a lot of things they otherwise wouldn’t. — Jay Shepherd
dedicated to hands-on learning for their students, the surrounding community was supportive throughout the entire process. Between monetary contributions and building materials, nearly $12,000 in donations were made, Shepherd said. “The support of the community was awesome,” Raucher said. “We had organizations like Missouri Cattlemen’s donate. We also had a lot of individuals that donated. Many individuals came together to make it happen, and I really think it’s going to pay off in the long run.” Looking toward the future, the Mount Vernon agricultural education program plans to continue its use of the animal science lab while continually growing its potential for student contact with livestock. “The plan is to get a roof over it and have it powered by solar power,” Raucher said. “I think members of the community plan to help with that, too.”
— Brandelyn Martin
Things we see every day can
fade
from view.
Failure to notice power lines can be a deadly oversight if your equipment makes contact with overhead lines. Be a leader by teaching others to look up when working. We’re putting Members First by keeping you safe.
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MISSOURI FFA ASSOCIATION
Are you making a
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purpose, she fulfilled her If you calling to serve others cannot feed during their times of need. a hundred Mother Teresa is recognized to this day as people, then a humble individual who feed just fought through harm’s way one.” just to help someone else. She knew that she could —Mother Teresa not help all of those who were in need, but she became blissful to know that she changed the life of just one human. Throughout our lives, we face times when we lend a hand to help our friends and family. As an FFA member, we live a life of service. Be willing to take any opportunity to serve others this year with a grateful heart, whether through cleaning and fixing the local community garden, picking up trash along the highway with your chapter or simply beginning a food or clothing drive to provide for local families in need. Mother Teresa is an individual who many looked up to, though she did not desire the recognition. Her life relates to the last line of the FFA motto, “Living to Serve.” Members, I challenge you to make a difference in the lives of others this year to fulfill your true purpose as a member.
Difference? KENSIE DARST State Vice President
AURORA FFA
If you cannot feed a hundred people, then feed just one.” —Mother Teresa. Nothing is more rewarding than uplifting others through service. Mother Teresa devoted her life to serve the poor and the impoverished. She spent countless hours, traveled many miles and made an unforgettable mark on the people she encountered. Teresa was admired by many for her heart of service. She believed that her life had purpose. With that
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