Growing Our Future: Texas Agricultural Science Education Magazine

GROWING OUR FUTURE

FALL 2023

THERE CAN’T BE A GAME WON WITHOUT A GAME PLAN

See what Texas FFA students have to say at mytexasffa.org

Texas

Texas FFA Host Largest Convention in Association History

Professional Development Conference

State-Wide Community Service

National Winning Sheep Production Proficiency

A Family Tradition

Champion And Ag Ed Hero Awards

Dr. Temple Grandin Receives Passion for Agriculture Award

National Winning Diversified Livestock Proficiency

Student Activity Funds

Texas FFA Scholarships and Donors Cultivate the Future of Agriculture

National FFA Grants Are Readily Available for Your Chapter

National Winning Goat Production Proficiency

National Winning Agricultural Sales Proficiency

National Winning Ag Mechanics Repair and Maintenance Proficiency

What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?

Workplace Preparation

How is Ag Ed Impacting Workforce Development?

We Prepare the Next Generation Of Workforce Leadership

FROM THE EDITOR

The labor market needs education. More accurately, the labor market needs agricultural science education students.

Our program does a great job of emphasizing career readiness in high school, while also promoting academic preparedness. It's a balancing act and one we do well.

With that comes the many facets of the Texas ag ed experience. This issue aims to highlight the vast avenues available to our students every day.

We hope you enjoy the Fall 2023 issue of Growing Our Future!

Ashley Dunkerley

TEXAS AG EDUCATION BUILDING THE WORKFORCE OF TOMORROW

"PULLING FROM THESE REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCES PROVIDES EMPLOYEES WITH A PERSPECTIVE THAT INFLUENCES THE WAY THEY APPROACH TASKS, THE WAY THEY TREAT THEIR COWORKERS, AND THE SERIOUSNESS WITH WHICH THEY TAKE THEIR ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE WORKPLACE."

BY: COURTNEY M. DYER DIRECTOR OF MARKETING FOR PRIEFERT MANUFACTURING, INC.

It seems that over the last few years, the term “workforce” has become a hot topic, particularly where to find it. Probably the most frequently discussed aspect of finding members of the workforce, is how to find quality individuals to fill open positions. Labor has become an increasingly competitive market for employers trying to locate good people.

Regardless of the specific role, ideal candidates should possess both technical or “hard” skills relevant to their chosen field, and they should possess the very important, yet seemingly elusive, “soft” skills that allow for effective interpersonal interactions. These soft skills include communication, teamwork, problem-solving, adaptability, critical thinking, and time management, all desirable traits in an employee, whatever their job title. This leaves many businesses asking the question of how do we fill the ever-growing need for good people. There is a strong argument to be made that ag teachers are helping to fill that gap.

At the recent ATAT Conference in Dallas, Bill Priefert was presented with the Champion Award. In his acceptance speech, Bill said that teachers “in ag class, are teaching mechanics, welding, and technical abilities. That is the future of this nation. You are the people who are developing leaders for the future of this nation.” He also spoke about the desire for honesty, service, and dependability.

As a manager and team member at Priefert,

I’ve had the opportunity to work for, work with, and to manage former FFA members. By and large, these team members exhibit strong technical skills and strong soft skills from day one, making it easy to, at least in part, attribute the mastery of these skills to the influence of their ag teachers.

It's no secret that ag teachers spend significant time teaching technical skills like welding, engineering, ag mechanics, and fabrication in their ag shops. These experiences provide an excellent foundation for future jobs in manufacturing and other skilled trades. As a bonus, the process of learning these hard skills also helps teach students the soft skills of problem-solving, critical thinking, and time management. Regardless of the field in which the student ultimately seeks employment, these lessons can be applied to their future career and into daily life.

Aside from the shop, ag students are presented with a multitude of opportunities to build a strong work ethic. In particular, livestock projects require a level of commitment, attention, and hard work that often can't be replicated through traditional "classroom" projects. The level of care needed to feed and fit a livestock project for show requires a substantial amount of time, effort, and responsibility on the part of the student. It provides a sense of reality that can't be obtained otherwise. Dealing with actual life-or-death scenarios, such as the care of an animal, is not an experience that is often afforded to students outside of their ag classes. Pulling from these

real-world experiences provides employees with a perspective that influences the way they approach tasks, the way they treat their coworkers, and the seriousness with which they take their roles and responsibilities in the workplace.

The soft skill of leadership is another area in which FFA students tend to excel, likely because of the unique opportunities they are afforded versus their peers. While many student organizations have student officers, few take it to the level of the FFA. From how to effectively run a meeting using parliamentary procedure to speaking at state and national conventions in front of thousands of other students and advisors, the experiences that help to shape a good officer are the same that ultimately lead to a great employee. Add to that the number of LDEs and group projects in which ag students have a chance to participate, and you are exponentially growing leadership skills. Once these students reach the workforce, this is one of the key qualities that sets them apart from their coworkers. It’s no coincidence that many of our management team have a background in the FFA or agriculture, and our meetings benefit from it in terms of their focus and impact.

“IT’S NO COINCIDENCE THAT MANY OF OUR MANAGEMENT TEAM HAVE A BACKGROUND IN THE FFA OR AGRICULTURE, AND OUR MEETINGS BENEFIT FROM IT IN TERMS OF THEIR FOCUS AND IMPACT.”

“YOU ARE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE DEVELOPING LEADERS FOR THE FUTURE OF THIS NATION.”

- BILL PRIEFERT

Last but certainly not least is communication. Ag teachers place their students in various situations that help develop written and verbal communication skills in one-on-one and public settings. In a world where conversations increasingly occur in abbreviated text messages or through social media chats, the ability to speak confidently and professionally or to provide thorough and well-reasoned written content is a definite plus when it comes to their future employment. Whether competing in creed speaking or one of the many team speaking development events, ag students are taught the value of informed and effective communication and encouraged to utilize these techniques often. The efficacy with which these students speak and write generally translates to strong interview skills and well-written resumes, which helps give them an advantage as they transition to the workforce.

So, to revisit the comments made by Bill Priefert at the ATAT Conference, I think it’s important to note that his remarks were not simply a flattering thank you, nor were they based solely on his experiences of hiring and working with FFA members. His remarks were much more personal than that, as Bill himself is a product of the FFA, having served in multiple officer roles in his high school chapter and having participated in several CDEs. Bill closed his remarks that day by saying, “Don’t doubt the courage, dependability, and reliability of our children. They are the greatest adapters that God ever made.” I would like to echo that sentiment and offer a heartfelt thank you to all the ag teachers who are helping to create effective leaders and develop tomorrow's workforce.

2023 INDUCTEES

The Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas Hall of Fame exists to recognize and honor agricultural science teachers whose careers, achievements, and contributions stand exemplary. Inductees are known as well-rounded professionals that have proven their success with FFA activities, in the classroom, as well as community involvement. They have proven their desire to provide students with opportunities for premier leadership, personal growth and career success over a significant period of time.

U.D. ADAMS MICHAEL WAYNE ALTON BOB ALAN BEAN JERRY BEARDEN DANNY BECK KENNETH BEENE VERNON WAYNE BENDER SAMMY JOE BETTES

KERMIT JULIUS BLEZINGER JOHN MICHAEL BOLES LARRY CADDEL GARY DON CHANDLER

DONALD WAYNE CHESHIER CODY LEE DARBY JAMES R. DAWLEY JOHN E. DAWLEY

GERALD “BUDDY” DECHERT JACK DILLARD JR. JAMES GLEN DOSSETT ROBISON CLOYD EDMONDSON RAY ELLIS FREDDIE ENGELBRECHT JAY LYNN EUDY JACKIE DAN FRONENBERGER

JOHN GEORGE GLEN HEARD ROBERT LINN HILL DAVID HOWELL THOMAS MELTON HOWELL JR. DON HUDSON

KENNETH E. HUGHES CRAIG CARLTON INGRAM

CONNER LEE JOHN DANNIE JOE JOHNSON

GEORGE HENRY KREJCI, JR. JOEL DENTON LANIER

RICHARD E. LEBLANC RANDY LEHMBERG

MIKE LITTRELL ALBERT MCCOIN

JAMES F. "PETE" MCDOUGAL DOUGLAS MEADOWS

ROBERT "BUTCH" MILFORD JAMES MISSILDINE

ROBERT MOORE LOYD NATIONS

DR. ROGER DALE PERRITT TERRY A. PHILLIPS

PATRICK REAL JOHN REYNOLDS

TIMOTHY MARK SCHEU DR. HERBERT SCHUMANN JOE DON SKINNER

BRUCE SMITH TOMMY SNOOK

EDWIN TURNER STANDLEE

BUDDY STEWART LEON STEWART RUBEN STRINGER

MICHAEL TEAGUE

JOE WATTS

LARRY WHITE DR. RANDALL WILLIAMS SCOTTY WINDHAM

JACK WINTERROWD BOBBY WINTERS

RONALD KAY WUNDERLICH

The Dallas Convention Center was bustling with Texas FFA members and guests on Monday, July 10, 2023, as the 95th Annual Texas FFA Convention began. The event hosted 925 chapters and 16,732 members and guests as they gathered to recognize the outstanding achievements of our Texas FFA members, show gratitude to our advisors, sponsors and volunteers, and celebrate our common interest in the agriculture industry.

Our 2022-2023 Texas FFA officers selected “Cultivate” as this year’s convention theme in an effort to represent the

TEXAS FFA

HOST LARGEST

CONVENTION IN ASSOCIATION

HISTORY

“THE LARGEST CONVENTION IN TEXAS FFA HISTORY FEATURED ENGAGING WORKSHOPS, EDUCATIONAL COMPETITIONS, AND EMPOWERING SESSIONS.”

spirit of growth, resilience, and unity that defines our agricultural community.

The largest convention in Texas FFA history featured engaging workshops, educational competitions, and empowering sessions. The five general sessions included retiring addresses from state officers, recognition of deserving award and scholarship recipients, and inspiring keynotes from Dan Owolabi and National FFA Western Region Vice President Ryan Williamson. In addition, Temple Grandin addressed members before being awarded the First Annual Texas FFA Passion For Agriculture Award.

Other event highlights included the convention kick-off concert performance by Josh Ward, sponsored by AgWorkers Insurance, an incredible talent competition, a large exhibit show, and the new Lone Star Stage, where Texas FFA members could learn more about the various program opportunities available to them.

Attendees also found avenues to give back

to the community hosting the annual state convention. Over 1,200 Texas FFA members participated in beautification projects at 13 different park locations across Dallas. In addition, more than 25,000 seed packets were donated to the Lake Highlands Community Garden as a part of the official convention community service project.

Bryce Fisher from Florence FFA was selected as the 2023 National Officer Candidate from Texas. Bryce will represent our state at the 96th National FFA Convention and Expo this fall. At the conclusion of the week, a new slate of officers were elected to serve the association this coming year.

Texas FFA looks forward to the year that lies ahead. This event would not have been possible without the efforts of our incredible Team Ag Ed Family, our alumni and stakeholders, and most importantly, our members!

We’ll see you next summer in Houston for the 96th Annual Texas FFA Convention.

“OUR 2022-2023 TEXAS FFA OFFICERS SELECTED “CULTIVATE” AS THIS YEAR’S CONVENTION THEME IN AN EFFORT TO REPRESENT THE SPIRIT OF GROWTH, RESILIENCE, AND UNITY THAT DEFINES OUR AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY. ”

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE

PROVIDED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR TEACHERS WITH RECORD ATTENDANCE

BY: RAY PIENIAZEK AGRICULTURE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

This past July, the 2023 Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas Professional Development Conference was held at the Hyatt Regency in Dallas, Texas. This is the first time since 1993 that our conference has been held at a hotel and conference center when it was held at the Dallas Fort Worth Airport Hyatt. We recorded 2,679 registered for the conference, with 2,508 checked in on-site and over 450 registered guests. For comparison, in 2022, we checked in 2,430 participants. The event was a product of hard work by many individuals and made possible by the support of our many sponsors, including CEV Multimedia.

We started the event on Sunday morning, with exhibitors moving in. We had 98 participants filling up two exhibit halls

and covering 211 10x10 booths, accounting for 51,500 square feet. We are considering options to offer more spaces next year, as we had a full waitlist. We appreciate all the old and new exhibitors who came to our event. Our Sunday ended with a meeting of the board of directors.

On Monday, a variety of events were held both onsite and offsite. Our fun run occurred at Fair Park with participants circling the grounds, while the golf tournament was held at Iron Horse Golf Course in Richland Hills with approximately 60 golfers on hand. Fun times were had at both events.

We had a large number of tours and workshops

in and around Dallas, including at Fair Park, the Dan Dippert Career and Technical Center, Ennis High School, Texas A&M Commerce, Keller CTE Center, Dallas Arboretum, Harold W. Lang Sr. Middle School, Agrilife Extension Center, Urban Farms and onsite at the Hyatt. We had 1,459 registered for Monday workshops, our highest number ever. We are thankful for all who hosted and presented.

Registration began on Monday for members, and the exhibit hall opened that morning for our attendees. Thanks to Ag Workers Mutual Insurance for our conference bags and to the Texas Beef Council for our lanyards. Various groups, including Area Coordinators, several FFA committees, and our University Agricultural Educators, conducted their meetings.

The Floral Showcase was also held at the Dan Dippert CTE Center. The showcase provided beautiful arrangements for our main ballroom stage for the week. The Texas FFA Foundation also hosted their inaugural Leading a Legacy Social at the Dallas Elks Lodge.

Monday evening ended with the New Teacher Reception held for teachers new to our association. A total of 121 were in attendance and enjoyed fellowship and games. Ten new teachers were awarded Green and Growing scholarships for some online agricultural education professional development sponsored

“WE RECORDED 2,679 REGISTERED FOR THE CONFERENCE, WITH 2,508 CHECKED IN ON-SITE AND OVER 450 REGISTERED GUESTS.”

by the Texas FFA and the ATAT. Steve Forsythe, Liz Treptow, Crystal Galindo, and board members shared with them words of wisdom. New teachers were also encouraged to participate in the ATAT Mentor Program, sponsored by Herman and Bobbie Wilson.

Tuesday kicked off with a Christian prayer meeting, registration, and our opening general session. Lynita Foster, 2022-23 ATAT President, led our session where we heard from iCEV, Cameron Dale, our Region 2 NAAE Vice President, and Marcette Kilgore, Statewide Director of CTE at Texas Education Agency. Our guest speaker, Jones Loflin, shared a presentation on Juggling Elephants which teachers could relate to in balancing family, work, and self in their daily routines.

We presented Bill Preifert with the ATAT Champion Award and Ron Whitson with the Agricultural Education Hero award, both of whom were very deserving. Outstanding administrators were recognized for contributing to their local programs, tenure awards for 45, 40, 35, 30, 25, and 20 years of service were presented, and our group of retirees were recognized. Outstanding teachers were announced with Matthew Houston for the Early Career Teacher Award, Jacob Lange for the Mid-Career Teacher Award, and Melissa Rosenbusch Spicer for the Experienced Teacher Award. Special thanks to Superior Trophies and Michael Cooper for providing all the awards for our event. The general session was held in the Landmark Ballrooms, which take up 30,000

square feet. Area meetings and exhibit visitation occurred throughout the day.

Texas FFA held several programmatic committee meetings throughout the week to discuss contest details, travel plans, and ways to improve degree check and scholarship activities.

Wednesday brought professional development workshops, along with the VATAT Credit Union Annual Meeting. Thursday continued with more workshops. A total of 116 workshops were offered over the two days, and 25 workshops are available online for teachers to access. We utilized over 64,000 square feet of meeting space for our workshops conducted during the week.

We would also like to thank Seitz and Fresh Country for sponsoring part of the meals offered on Wednesday and Thursday.

Family Night was held at the Automobile Building at Fair Park. This was a change for our participants, who typically enjoy the event at our conference center. Babes Chi-

“WE HOPE OUR AG EDUCATORS HAVE A GREAT SCHOOL YEAR, AND YOUR PARTICIPATION AT CONFERENCE HAS IMPROVED YOUR ABILITIES TO MOLD THE STUDENTS ENROLLED IN YOUR PROGRAMS.”

“WE ARE PROUD TO HAVE THE 67 NEW MEMBERS OF OUR HALL OF FAME RECOGNIZED ON STAGE, IN ADDITION TO THE $77,000 RAISED IN THEIR NAMES FOR OUR SCHOLARSHIP FUND.”

cken Dinner House served smoked chicken and chicken fried steak. We had close to 1,700 in attendance.

Representative Dewayne Burns spoke to our group about the Right to Farm Act which will be voted in as a constitutional amendment in November. Marcus Hill brought greetings from Ag Workers Mutual Insurance, our Family Night sponsor. A cornhole tournament was held, reports from our other scholarship fundraisers were given, and Riverstar Farms was recognized as a $10,000 contributor to our scholarship fund. Other scholarship sponsors included Ducks Unlimited, Holt Cat, Texas Auctioneers Association, Safety First, Southern Floral, Smithers Oasis, Equiflor Roses, Alpha Fern Greens, and McShan Florist.

We also recognized a student from each university who has completed student teaching and will be starting their career this year. The following were awarded a $500 stipend: Lauren Moon, West Texas A&M; Taylor Sanders, Tarleton; Sarah Beavers, Stephen F. Austin; Shelbie Hutchinson, Sam Houston; Betteanne Purcell, Sul Ross; Eileen Zenmeister, Texas A&M; Trish Pittman, TAMU-Kingsville; Emily Dennison, Texas Tech; Dominike Uscanga, Texas State.

Family Night was a time to recognize Lynita Foster for her years of service and to present her with her president's buckle from Superior Trophies and a gift from Ag Workers Mutual Insurance. The ATAT officers for 2023-2024 were announced with Troy Oliver serving as President, Toby Long as Vice President, Marty Resendez as Secretary-Treasurer, Lynita Foster as Past

President, and Traylor Lenz as Past Past President and incoming FFA Board Chairman. The ATAT staff, including Karen Jones, Tori Rosser, Michelle Vasbinder, Ashley Dunkerley, and Carolee Frampton, were also recognized for their hard work in conducting the conference. Karen was also recognized for 25 years of service to our association. Special thanks also to Tyler and Laurie Wieghat, along with Rodney Martine, for assisting with our event's production. Abby Mund and Stacey Jones are also a big part of our event and deserve a big thanks for all they do for our association.

Our event concluded with livestock show updates from all of the major livestock shows in Texas and our closing session, where we honored the members we lost this past year and inducted our newest members of the Hall of Fame. A reception was held before the session for the 2023 inductees, with over 450 in attendance. We are proud to have the 67 new members of our Hall of Fame recognized on stage, in addition to the $77,000 raised in their names for our scholarship fund. Our Hall of Fame awards are sponsored by Creative Awards.

Thanks to all of our sponsors who supported us this year. We truly appreciate the support you give our association and its members.

We thank all who attended and hope to make improvements for our attendees for the coming year when we return to the Hyatt Regency Dallas. We hope our ag educators have a great school year, and your participation at conference has improved your abilities to mold the students enrolled in your programs.

BY:

TEXAS FFA CULTIVATES SERVICE AND URBAN AGRICULTURE BY DONATING SEED PACKETS

Texas FFA members took the convention theme of “cultivate” literally by donating seed packets to surrounding community gardens for the event’s host city.

Collected donations were given to the Lake Highlands Community Garden (LHCG) where the harvest of various vegetables grown after planting will be distributed to Dallas-Fort Worth area food pantries “to reduce food insecurities in our community.”

Texas FFA members donated more than 25,000 seed packets during the annual convention this past July.

“Your overwhelming generosity benefited not only the LHCG, but many of our sister community gardens who when combined contribute a significant amount of produce to help our friends and neighbors in need,” said A.L. Nickerson, Co-Founder and Vice President of Lake Highlands Community Garden.

With the significant number of seeds,

LHCG reached out to additional area community gardens to capitalize on the abundance of donations. That included both local Master Gardeners and Friends of the Public Library programs, the Dallas Park and Recreation Department, Austin Street Shelter, local school and small community gardens, and others.

Texas FFA members were thrilled to contribute to an effort that gives back to the organization’s convention host city.

“The opportunity to donate is more than just donating seeds,” said Brody Fisher, Florence FFA member. “We are supporting agriculture, but it’s the true feeling of community and belonging that inspires me to provide for this organization.”

The importance of service and advocating for agriculture through their actions in FFA are more important than ever before.

“Donating seeds was the least I can do to give back,” said Heather May, Lyford FFA member. “If I can advocate for agriculture and make a change with one seed packet, I will do it over and over again.”

As Arlington FFA dropped off the donations after the convention in Dallas, the LHCG volunteers were extremely grateful.

“We feel very blessed and we will

VALA JENKINS, WACO-MIDWAY FFA AND CORA FORD, WESLACO FFA TEXAS FFA CONVENTION MEDIA PROGRAM

make it our mission to see that no seeds go to waste,” said Nickerson. “Lake Highlands Community Garden now has an abundance of seeds in our refrigerator to serve our individual gardeners and the donation garden for years to come.”

FIFTEEN YEARS OF THE TEXAS FFA CONVENTION DAY OF SERVICE

Since its origin, the Texas FFA Day of Service has allowed members to give back to the communities hosting the annual state convention.

The yearly service project, established in 2008 by Weimar FFA, began as a 45-person crew organizing and executing a book drive for local libraries before the 80th Annual Texas FFA Convention in Lubbock, Texas.

"The best leaders, in my humble opinion, are servant leaders who seek opportunities to help others be successful and who seek opportunities to make a difference," said Liz Treptow, the FFA advisor behind the inaugural effort and current Weimar ISD CTE Director.

The Day of Service has transformed into a large-scale two-day service effort since that time. With this, Weimar FFA remains the primary organizer of the event. The power of Texas FFA members' service-based outlook continually impacts the host city.

"There is often a need to see the thousands of student volunteers working at food banks and serving meals at community centers in order to understand the impact a teenager can make," said Treptow.

This past July, more than 1,200 Texas FFA members participated in beautification projects at 13 different park locations across Dallas.

"It's important because, through this day of service, we learn the fundamentals of hard work, leadership, responsibility, and giving back to a community that is not their own," said Tracer Rice, McGregor FFA member. "It allows us to give back to the city that has allowed us to host our biggest event of the year."

Fifteen years after the inaugural event, chapters are still eager to volunteer as they fulfill the living to serve aspect of the FFA motto.

"The biggest part is allowing yourself to be a servant," said Cameron Tomlinson, Waco-Midway FFA member. "As leaders, it's our job to serve others in order to lead others."

Teach Ag Tips

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS

BY: LYNITA FOSTER, MADISONVILLE

As ag teachers, a lot of people watch our actions. While it may be impossible to please everyone all the time, taking steps to build positive relationships can help you succeed. Here are a few things I have learned:

Business Owners – There are people in your community who want to support the youth, but they shouldn’t see you only when you want a donation. Invite them to chapter events, have your officers visit their business to simply tell them thank you, and invite them to visit the ag building to see what is going on. Shop local and be their customer. When you do need a donation, give them plenty of notice and don’t assume because they donated before they can donate again.

County Agents / 4-H Leaders – FFA and 4-H have many of the same goals. Working in tandem with the Texas AgriLife Extension office in your community can help lighten everyone’s load. Cooperate on checking projects and hauling to livestock shows, and utilize each other’s strengths to help the students gain the best knowledge possible.

Fair Associations – This is a tremendous way to get to know people who care about agricultural education. Do your share of volunteer work for a cause which directly benefits the students you teach. In this role, help all students, not just members of your own chapter. Running a county fair takes work and investing your sweat and time alongside others will be noticed.

Parents – Parents are sending you the best kids they have. They want them to be successful. As a teacher, try to make sure opportunities are presented to all students, not just a select few. When decisions are made for who will be officers or team members, have a policy established ahead of time and stick to it. Communicate with the parents often, as they are trusting you with their most valuable resource.

Administration - Before sending us out into the world to become ag teachers, Dr. Herb Schumann gave us some parting advice; “Remember, your principal is your boss.” Keeping your principal in the know is extremely important. They are your immediate supervisor. When you have a question, follow the chain of command. Invite your administrators to the ag building for lunch. Actively work at communicating with them daily. The ag department has a lot of moving parts between trips, finances, and materials required. If you help your principal do their job well, they will be more likely to do the same for you.

Family / Self – Time is an extremely limited resource. No matter how much you accomplish as an ag teacher, there is more that could be done. Consciously blocking out time for your family and yourself is a must. This is where we get rejuvenated and restored. These are the relationships that will last long after retirement.

Students – Most of us became teachers to postitivly influence young people. While I would like to say I inspired every student that came through my classroom, it would be untrue. There are some I couldn’t seem to reach. I do hope however, that every student can say they were treated as a valued individual. We are in the business of building people. As your students see you making an effort in all your relationships, you are modeling a skill they will need throughout their lives.

Bob Kerrey said, “Kindness is the most powerful, least costly, and most underrated agent of human change.” Investing in relationships will not only help you succeed in your ag teaching career, but will bring you friends and joyous memories for years to come.

NATIONAL WINNING SHEEP PRODUCTION PROFICIENCY

BROCK FFA MEMBER UTILIZES ADVANCED METHODS TO GROW SHEEP FLOCK OPERATION

Brock FFA member, Conner Cowdrey, is utilizing advanced methods to grow his sheep production Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) project.

“Currently, the flock consists of 103 head of Dorper ewes and 15 Dorper rams,” said Cowdrey. “After researching, I knew that Dorpers would be a good fit for the 75 acres that I rent from my father with the grazing and water options.”

He states that he established the breeding flock seven years ago to produce lambs and, in turn, be able to sell them to earn an income.

“It is important to pair ewes with a ram that will yield the progeny which is desired,” said Cowdrey. “An important task is reviewing my rams and ewes and their previous offspring to help me make my mating decisions.”

The high school graduate had utilized his agricultural science education experience to research and establish the best methods to enhance his operation.

“A ewe that is born a twin is genetically predisposed to have twins, so I have kept more twin replacement ewes in my flock,” said Cowdrey. “This effort has

resulted in an increase from four multiple births to 31 multiple births over the last five years.”

Animal welfare is the number one priority in his operation; the FFA member explains how he ensures his sheep are treated well.

“If maintaining a safe and habitable environment for my sheep is not attainable, then I do not need to be in the business,” said Cowdrey. “I have three barns for shelter, clean water, quality feed, appropriate vaccinations and deworming, and healthy breeding and birthing practices are all part of ensuring that my flock is healthy and protected at all times.”

While attending Texas Tech University, Cowdrey has developed new ways of maintaining his flock from afar.

“One thing I have done to manage my time is to use a daily planner to keep track of the dates when my sheep need vaccinating, deworming, weaning, and breeding,” said Cowdrey. “Using the online system, HerdBoss, assists in keeping track of breedings, births, deaths, and sales of my flock.”

He believes that his flock has allowed him to gain an understanding and appreciation for animals and agriculture that he would not have learned otherwise.

Cowdrey’s successful SAE project was recognized as a National Proficiency winner in Sheep Production at the 2022 National FFA Convention.

GARY, ADAM AND JESSICA GRAHAM FATHER AND SON/DAUGHTER-IN-LAW

WHEN DID YOU KNOW YOU WANTED TO WORK IN AG EDUCATION?

"My dad was my ag teacher growing up. I saw what he did each and every day and the impact he made on his students. I wanted to do the same when I grew up. I was always in awe because everywhere we went, he knew somebody. I never realized until I got older, but that was his network around him, and they loved and supported each other daily." - ADAM (SON)

HOW DOES IT FEEL TO WATCH YOUR CHILD FOLLOW IN YOUR CAREER FOOTSTEPS?

"My son and daughter-in-law teach in the same district I taught in throughout my career. It was very special for me to compete and work with them. There are a lot of memories that I will have forever. We competed and practiced together simultaneously, working with each other's teams. Those times are some of my best memories. Watching them grow and mature as FFA advisors and teachers was very special. I'm so proud of both of them." - GARY (FATHER)

ARE THERE PARTICULAR AG EDUCATION OR FFA ACTIVITIES YOUR CHAPTER IS INVOLVED IN BECAUSE OF YOUR PAST FAMILY?

"When I started teaching, I incorporated everything that my dad taught me. The parts of FFA, and even some of my classroom instruction, came from him. I was on a national land judging team in high school and did radio as an LDE. Naturally, when I started at Onalaska, I began with land judging and radio with my students because that was my comfort level. However, one thing that I learned from my dad that I will always instill in my classes is love. I hope my students know they are loved, respected, and wanted each day. Since I am also blessed to teach with my wife, I hope they see how a happy Christian marriage is supposed to be when my wife and I speak and interact with each other daily at work." - ADAM (SON)

DO YOU THINK ANY OF YOUR CHILDREN WILL TEACH AG ONE DAY?

"Our oldest is currently in college, majoring in ag communications. Last year, she said she didn't think she wanted to be a teacher, but recently, she has been asking more questions about it. I would love for her to teach ag, but ultimately, I want her to do what makes her happy. I have always told her that if she loves what she does, she'll never work a day in her life." -

ADAM (SON)

A PERSONAL GROWTH EXPERIENCE FOR SOPHOMORES

LEADERSHIP STARTS WITH THE INDIVIDUAL. THIS PROGRAM FOCUSES ON PERSONAL GROWTH AND CAPITALIZES ON THE WISDOM, COURAGE, AND STRENGTH STUDENTS NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL AS INDIVIDUAL LEADERS. MADE FOR EXCELLENCE IS A ONE-DAY EXPERIENCE OPEN TO ALL SOPHOMORE TEXAS FFA MEMBERS AND WILL BE HELD IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE BUILDING EXCELLENCE AND EXECUTING WITH EXCELLENCE CONFERENCES.

A GENERATION ZIGLAR EXPERIENCE FOR JUNIORS

THIS CONFERENCE IS FACILITATED BY ZIGLAR YOUTH CERTIFIED SPEAKERS AND FOCUSES ON SELF-IMAGE, RELATIONSHIP BUILDING, AND GOAL-SETTING. BUILDING EXCELLENCE IS A ONE-DAY EXPERIENCE OPEN TO ALL TEXAS FFA MEMBERS IN THEIR JUNIOR YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL AND WILL BE HELD IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE MADE FOR EXCELLENCE AND EXECUTING WITH EXCELLENCE CONFERENCES.

A POST-FFA SPRINGBOARD FOR SENIORS

THIS LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCE FOR SENIORS WILL HELP GRADUATING FFA MEMBERS LEARN HOW TO APPLY WHAT THEY HAVE LEARNED IN THE FFA JACKET TO THEIR POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION OR THE WORKFORCE. EXECUTING WITH EXCELLENCE WILL BE A ONE-DAY EXPERIENCE HELD IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE MADE FOR EXCELLENCE AND BUILDING EXCELLENCE CONFERENCES. IT'S OPEN TO ALL TEXAS FFA SENIORS.

CHAMPION AWARD TO BILL PRIEFERT

Born in Nebraska, Bill Priefert moved with his family to Mt Pleasant, Texas, in 1962. At age 14, Bill worked alongside his dad as they founded Priefert Manufacturing in their small dirt-floor shop. Mr. Priefert was an active member of FFA in

the Mt Pleasant FFA Chapter. Blending the skills learned through his time in FFA with those learned at his father’s side. His work ethic, vision, and focus helped grow the company. Under his leadership, Priefert Manufacturing transitioned from a regional producer of headgates and squeeze chutes to its current role as the leading equipment manufacturer in the farm, ranch, and rodeo industry.

Mr. Priefert lives on the family ranch, adjacent to the manufacturing facility, alongside his three sons and 11 grandchildren. He is a man who has remembered his roots and is a strong supporter of ag education. He is a key sponsor of the Texas FFA Foundation LEAD program and regularly offers tours of his company.

The Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas proudly recognizes Bill Priefert as the 2023 ATAT Champion Award recipient.

AGRICULTURE EDUCATION HERO AWARD TO RON WHITSON

Ron Whitson has had an active agricultural science education career for over 40 years. He spent almost 30 years tea-

ching agriculture classes. Twenty-seven of those years were within Mansfield ISD, where the now-dedicated Ron Whitson Agricultural Science Center resides.

Following his career in the classroom, he held the Statewide Career and Technical Education Coordinator position with the Texas Education Agency. He has played an active and vital role in supporting ag education.

He has served on the Boards of Directors of several state and national CTE organizations, including the Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas and the Texas FFA Association. Now retired, Mr. Whitson serves as a mentor for new and aspiring ag teachers.

The Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas proudly recognizes Ron Whitson as the 2023 Agricultural Education Hero Award.

SCHOLARSHIP

AGRICULTURE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS RECIPIENTS

Cayden Barton

Connor Barton

Tanner Bean

Brighton Beard

Trevor Black

Baylee Bowen

Jay Bradley

Pamela Brown

Camdyn Childs

Lacy Clarke

Cooper Coffelt

Tatem Cox

Madison Coyle

Blaze Cozart

Cammie Davis

John Davis

Brooke Diezi

Reilynn Ezzell

Tanner Flanagan

Daniel Garza

Javier Garza

Hunter Goodman

Cole Goolsby

Molly Hackstedt

McKayla Hedrick

Carter Holton

Peyton Jarzombek

Joshua Jones

John Paul Klose

Jocelyn Kolar

Beth Lambert

Channing Larrew

Gracie Lenz

Yongle Li

Matthew Martin

Max Matejcek

Jayden Morris

Jaime Munoz

Grayson Oliver

Reese Orsborn

Tanner Patrick

Hailey Peters

Katherine Peugh

Charles Purcell

Hannah Reed

Trypp Reed

Mattie Reiley

Christopher Rodriguez

Cassidy Rogers

Libby Rogers

Landen Schertz

Garrett Smith

Luke Teter

Kassidy Thomas

Shayla Wade

Eli Warner

Kenneth Warrick

William Woody, III

DR. TEMPLE GRANDIN RECEIVES PASSION FOR AGRICULTURE AWARD

BY:

Eager attendees filled the convention center to watch respected dignitary Dr. Temple Grandin deliver a memorable speech based on her life's work and research.

Grandin has developed designs such as the Double Rail Restrainer and wrote the original Recommended Animal Handling Guidelines. These contributions improved the agricultural industry and brought new meaning to animal safety.

Grandin received the Passion for Agriculture Award for her innate ability to advocate for diversity in agriculture.

"I would like to thank the people who built things for me. About 20% of them would have been autistic, dyslexic, or ADHD. We need different kinds of minds," Grandin said.

She conducted a workshop titled "Great Minds Are Not All the Same," where members learned about different types of thinkers and how everyone can work together.

Emily Koch, Caldwell FFA member, attended the workshop and was inspired by her message. She explained that Grandin spoke about her difficult high school experience and how she overcame obstacles to become the trusted industry resource she is now.

"It was a really great experience," Koch said. "I have always wanted to go to a Temple Grandin workshop and she answered all my questions."

The academic success of Grandin represents the remarkable progress that can be made within the agricultural industry only if you do not limit yourself.

A special thank you to the Texas FFA Foundation for aiding in the invitation of Temple Grandin to the 2023 Texas FFA Convention.

SOPHIA CLARK AND EMILIE CLOPTON, LLANO FFA TEXAS FFA CONVENTION MEDIA PROGRAM

NATIONAL WINNING DIVERSIFIED LIVESTOCK PROFICIENCY

VERIBEST FFA MEMBER DIRECTLY CONTRIBUTES TO FOOD SUPPLY THROUGH DIVERSIFIED LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION

Veribest FFA member, Connor Pence, produces multiple livestock species, including swine, goats, sheep, and cattle, to equip his diversified livestock business.

Pence contributes to yielding and procuring high-quality livestock for the agriculture industry.

"The goal of my projects has increasingly been producing high-quality livestock," said Pence. "The genetics of my herds must continue to improve."

In addition, exceptional nutrition is vital for all species; the nutrient most in need is water. He ensures that all animals have a constant supply of clean drinking water as he analyzes the additional nutritional needs.

"For example, with the breeding goat project, I have to adjust the rations that I feed them based on their reproductive cycle," said Pence. "I have to take into account whether they are lactating or gestating

and adjust their ration accordingly. My market animals are also checked for an average weekly gain, leading to my ability to raise my market lambs' average daily gain from 0.3 to 0.7 pounds per day."

The FFA member also understands that his actions taken with his livestock can affect the consumer industry.

"Due to the fact that the animals that I am raising are, for the most part, intended to go into the food supply, I ensure that all of my animals are safe for consumption at the time of slaughter," said Pence. "I keep a record of all medications given to my animals as well as keep track of withdrawal dates so that I can ensure that there are no residues in the meat when the animal is slaughtered."

Pence's successful SAE project was recognized as a National Proficiency winner in Diversified Livestock Production at the 2022 National FFA Convention.

BY: RAY PIENIAZEK AGRICULTURE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

STUDENT ACTIVITY FUNDS

As the school year has started, so have some questions regarding student activity funds. These funds are defined as money raised by students for different activity groups within a school. For ag teachers, this is usually the FFA chapter. These funds are designed to be spent on students, and allocation should be decided by the group that raised the money. These details are something that is written in most school board policies.

The information can be found online and in the CFD category - it reads:

FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY

The superintendent, principal, and sponsor, as applicable, shall be responsible for the proper administration of district and campus activity funds and student activity funds in accordance with state law and local policy, district accounting practices and procedures,

STUDENT ACTIVITY FUNDS

The superintendent shall ensure that student activity accounts are maintained to manage all class funds and other funds raised and collected by student clubs or organizations for a school-related purpose. The principal or designee shall issue receipts for all funds prior to their deposit into the appropriate district account at the district depository.

Student activity funds shall be included in the annual audit of the district's fiscal accounts. [See CFC]

USE AND EXPENDITURE

Funds collected by student groups shall be used only for purposes authorized by the student club or organization. The principal and sponsor shall manage and approve all disbursements. All funds raised by student organizations must be expended for the benefit of the students.

It is very clear in this that a principal, advisor, or other school administrator cannot use money that students have

and the Texas Education Agency (TEA) Financial Accountability System Resource Guide.

“THESE FUNDS ARE DESIGNED TO BE SPENT ON STUDENTS, AND ALLOCATION SHOULD BE DECIDED BY THE GROUP THAT RAISED THE MONEY.”

raised without the students group approval. There have also been situations where FFA chapters have had large amounts of money built up, and school boards have tried to take the money or force the students to spend it on items that the group did not approve. Only the students can decide how it is spent under the advisor's supervision.

There are a multitude of differences among districts on spending money in activity accounts, so make sure you follow what is in your district's policy.

I encourage you to work to ensure the students know how money is being spent. It is good practice to have a process where the members must approve check requests or the officer team documents them somehow. Your district policy might help you construct the best approach.

Money management is a very important duty of our job and should be taken seriously. If you need help managing chapter funds, contact the ATAT to ask questions.

Empowering you with knowledge Committed to PROPER Use

When used responsibly, pesticides are a valuable tool to help protect food, businesses, homes and gardens from damage and to help control or eradicate disease-carrying pests. We developed a Proper Use website as part of our commitment to promoting responsible use of pesticides, providing pest management professionals and consumers with information that helps ensure the proper use of our products. Scan the QR code or go to ProperUse.com to learn more.

TEXAS FFA

SCHOLARSHIPS AND DONORS CULTIVATE THE FUTURE OF AGRICULTURE

BY: TYLER BAILEY, MADISON FFA TEXAS FFA CONVENTION MEDIA PROGRAM

Texas FFA awarded more than 140 scholarships to outstanding graduating seniors at the 95th Annual Texas FFA Convention.

"Receiving a Texas FFA scholarship will have a life-changing impact on me because it will allow me to commit more time to my education and less to worry about meeting financial obligations during school," said Hannah Abraham, Anderson-Shiro FFA member.

Whether you are pursuing a future in production agriculture, business, or another career, our members can earn scholarships to aid with their next steps in education.

"Since I was able to receive the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo scholarship, I will be able to continue my education and work to achieve my dreams of continuing to advocate for the agricultural industry," said Haleigh Triolo, Katy FFA member.

The more than $2.3 million in scholarships awarded to members were only possible because of our generous scholarship donors.

“WHETHER YOU ARE PURSUING A FUTURE IN PRODUCTION AGRICULTURE, BUSINESS, OR ANOTHER CAREER, OUR MEMBERS CAN EARN SCHOLARSHIPS TO AID WITH THEIR NEXT STEPS IN EDUCATION.”

"I'm a very thankful recipient of the Richard Wallrath Educational Foundation Scholarship," said Jacie Pennington, Bryson FFA member. "I sincerely want to thank all of the donors who believe in Texas FFA members, just like myself, and the future of agriculture."

All scholarships were awarded based on academic and FFA achievements and the member's performance in an interview process.

"My scholarship will help me reach the goal of receiving my Master's in Business Administration, which I will use to find a career that will allow me to give back to this organization, which has taught me so many valuable lessons," said Stewart Poffenberger, Bellville FFA member.

A special thank you to each of the generous

“THE MORE THAN $2.3 MILLION IN SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED TO MEMBERS WERE ONLY POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF OUR GENEROUS SCHOLARSHIP DONORS."

T h i s i s H o w W e L i v e

NATIONAL FFA GRANTS

ARE READILY AVAILABLE FOR YOUR CHAPTER

The floors are freshly waxed. The pencils are newly sharpened. Dozens of students are coming to your room; school is back in session. If you’re like me, you’ve spent most of the summer buying SAE projects for students, going back and forth to Dallas for the FFA convention and ATAT conference, and planning the upcoming school year. With that comes new ideas and projects for your Program of Activities, but where will the funding come from?

Cue: National FFA Grants.

The National FFA Organization has several grants that many teachers are unaware of, ripe for the picking—trying to financially cover a cool community service project for your small town? Maybe you need supplies for that new floral design class they added to your schedule. Are you trying to raise meat rabbits through your chapter to provide an SAE for your students? National FFA Grants have you covered.

To start, visit the website accessible through this QR code.

BY: ASHLEE LAWSON, SCURRY-ROSSER HIGH SCHOOL AGRICULTURE SCIENCE TEACHER AND NATIONAL FFA TEACHER AMBASSADOR

students or to strengthen existing opportunities. They can help grow your classroom, your FFA chapter, or ag awareness in general.

Remember the need for supplies for that new floral design class? Here’s your grant for that - but don’t stop there; the possibilities are endless for project-based or experiential learning. The key is putting hands-on experiences (literally) in the hands of our students.

Living to Serve Grants are also available to middle and high school chapters, but they also open up the opportunity to alumni and collegiate FFA chapters. This grant is designed to help fund a community service project. It must fit into one of the four preselected areas (community safety, hunger, health and nutrition, environmental responsibility, or community engagement).

This will direct you to the two main types of grants available through National FFA: Grants for Growing and Living to Serve Grants. You can explore each to find out which one meets the needs of the project you have in mind.

Grants for Growing are available to middle and high school chapters trying to improve the reach of “Doing to Learn” by providing funds up to $5,000. These grants can be awarded to create new project-based opportunities for

This grant further breaks into three main types of grants that might work for your chapter. Yearlong grants are a year-long commitment that awards up to $3,000. Semester grants can be up to $1,200 in the spring or fall semesters. Lastly, day of service mini-grants only require a one-day project and can provide up to $400 for your chapter to give back to the community.

Don’t have an idea for a grant? That is okay, too! Each one of these grant pages has a United States map that shows where past grants have been awarded. Click on any marked schools and see what they did with the money awarded. Hopefully, one of these past projects will inspire you to come up with something new and engaging to bring back to your FFA chapter.

NATIONAL WINNING GOAT PRODUCTION PROFICIENCY

CANYON FFA MEMBER NAVIGATES GROWTH OF GOAT OPERATION

Canyon FFA member, Sunny Cowley, navigates the growth of her goat production Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) project.

"My top priority is to maintain the health of my animals through nutrition, daily care, and proper maintenance of facilities," said Cowley.

The responsibility of owning a goat operation is a real-world representation of "doing to learn."

"I have been focusing on ways to advance the quality of the kids I produce, as well as finding ways to use my time efficiently," said Cowley. "I have found that using Splash Artificial Insemination (AI) is a way to group my nannies together for breeding and kidding dates and utilize the bucks available to me."

For a business to be successful, it must grow and expand. She has stated that each kid born represents an opportunity for her operation to be profi-

table and grow.

"As the quality of the animals I produce has increased, the opportunities for me to increase my customer base has also grown," said Cowley. "I must market any goats I don't keep for myself."

The FFA members favorite part of her SAE is getting her goats ready to sell. The process allows the buyers to better see the options available.

"I market my animals through live, online, and private treaty sales," said Cowley. "I enjoy the opportunity to interact with customers."

Cowley's successful SAE project was recognized as a National Proficiency winner in Goat Production at the 2022 National FFA Convention.

Canyon FFA member, Tanner Owen, is learning hands-on business experience through his agricultural sales employment.

While working for Premier Nutrition Technologies, a livestock feed supplement company, he has experienced the importance of a well-rounded business plan that includes service, marketing, inventory, finances, and supply and demand.

“I keep an inventory chart to ensure that we are never caught without a product,” said Owen. “This has allowed us to keep 100% of our product stocked and manage our risk so we are constantly making a profit instead of turning customers away by making them wait.”

The FFA member has better developed an understanding of the need and importance of customer service. They must have an easy, enjoyable experience with the brand.

“[Premier Nutrition] ships products to customers in all 50 states and several places

NATIONAL WINNING AGRICULTURAL SALES PROFICIENCY

CANYON FFA MEMBER GAINS HANDS-ON BUSINESS EXPERIENCE THROUGH AGRICULTURAL SALES EMPLOYMENT

in Canada,” said Owen. “Once orders come in, I package them individually and prepare them to be taken to the post office. Our product has to be packed and shipped in a way that will not allow the product containers to break open and spill during shipping.”

Alongside packaging and distributing customer orders, he has also had the opportunity to participate in the marketing aspect of the business.

“This past year, I have been trusted to take on a marketing role within the company by having access to Premier Nutrition’s Facebook page,” said Owen. “I have made several posts this year highlighting some of our products, and it was very cool to see how the percentage of engagements increased with each post.”

He prioritized researching how to optimize the Facebook platform to ensure the posts had the best chances of performing and reaching the maximum number of people.

“This accomplishment meant a lot to me because it showed that the owners trusted me enough to handle their company image on a public platform,” said Owen.

Owen’s successful SAE project was recognized as a national proficiency winner in Agricultural Sales - Placement at the 2022 National FFA Convention.

NATIONAL WINNING AG MECHANICS REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE PROFICIENCY

CANYON FFA MEMBER RESTORING PIECES OF HISTORY THROUGH AGRICULTURAL MECHANICS ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Canyon FFA member, Scott Henderson, is restoring pieces of history through his agricultural mechanics entrepreneurship.

“I began restoring tractors and competing in restoration competitions at age 9,” said Henderson.

He quickly found that knowing how engineering principles work helped him fix equipment. Putting in time to learn the mechanics behind each tractor he restores has been vital to his success.

“The value of physical science when adjusting torque on tire lug nuts or how combustion happens is vital to understanding how tractors operate,” said Henderson. “I can look these values up in the repair manuals for each tractor and apply them with 100% accuracy.”

He has also learned that he must understand the maintenance schedule for each different tractor he

works with.

“I want to ensure that I repair the tractor in a way that it can be properly maintained,” said Henderson. “When I finish repairing a tractor, I always ensure all fluids are filled correctly, and the customer understands how to care for it once they get it home properly.”

In addition to the tractors he restored for ag mechanics shows, the FFA member has completed nine additional transformations for individuals looking to bring life back into their historic machinery.

“My business has grown from only restoring show tractors to helping individuals restore a piece of their family history,” said Henderson. “I have eight tractors lined up to work on currently, one of them being a push-behind David Bradley tractor.”

Henderson’s successful SAE project was recognized as a National Proficiency winner in Agricultural Mechanics Repair and Maintenance - Entrepreneurship at the 2022 National FFA Convention.

DECEMBER 11-15, 2023

Resources and Lesson Plans

A THREE-WEEK LESSON PLAN WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR TEACHERS!

CAREER WEEK GOALS

1 2 3 4

To create a comprehensive weeklong plan that can be easily implemented into the classroom.

To showcase a variety of agriculture careers to students.

To assist students in identifying their talents and interests to develop an intentional plan of success throughout FFA involvement.

FOLLOW TEXAS FFA ON SOCIAL MEDIA FOR ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

WWW.TEXASFFA.ORG/CAREERWEEK

To assist students in developing valuable soft skills that will assist them in preparing for future career preparation and or opportunities.

FFA FRIDAY TEACHER RESOURCE

FFA FRIDAY ALLOWS TEACHERS TO SATISFY THE SAE/RECORD BOOK REQUIREMENT

• Discuss the significance of agriculture. (What Does Agriculture Mean?)

• How does FFA contribute to agriculture?

• SAE Show and Tell

• Have experienced members discuss their SAE with classes. Have them bring in animals or items that assist in explaining their SAE.

• Explore the various SAE opportunities.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?

BY: TROY OLIVER PRESIDENT OF THE AGRICULTURE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS AND SEALY HIGH SCHOOL AGRICULTURE SCIENCE TEACHER

Like many of you, my heart was always set on becoming an ag teacher. Agriculture, the FFA, the relationship, teachers that inspired us, competition, the opportunity to serve, and all challenges and gifts that come with being an ag teacher/ FFA advisor make it easy for many to choose this career, including me. I am proud to be an ag teacher.

Regardless of how you ended up in the classroom or even in a role supporting ag education and the FFA, your passion undeniably included your desire to impact kids, an interest in agriculture, or decision to help others.

What about our students? How would they answer the question?

I often ask students to write about this topic in the classroom. I give them some questions to think about. What is your interest? How do you want to impact others? What is important to you in a career? Where is your passion? The answers, or lack of them, can give you a clear target for the future as you guide your students through your programs.

Agricultural science and the FFA have laid a foundation to prepare students for career success.

Agricultural science has many built-in mechanisms to help cultivate and prepare students for successful careers or help them answer the question," What will I be when I grow up?" CCMR accountability measures, IBC, and personalized career pathways all provide a strong framework for methods, practices, and effort in the classroom. CTE

and agricultural science are on the forefront of engaging students in career preparation and preparing students for success.

The academic content and the real-world experiences we share have been an ideal duo in preparing students within this framework. No matter where you look, data proves that ag science/CTE students graduate high school more than non-CTE students. Ag science/CTE students obtain college degrees, technical training, and certificates and enter the military at a higher rate than those who do not complete a career pathway. The framework of CCMR is working, and ag education is leading in this effort.

“FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.”

The opportunity to prepare students for career success through FFA activities is at the core of what we do as ag teachers and FFA advisors. Each day when students step into our classroom, we facilitate learning that leads to those decisions and skills that impact lives. FFA activities teach communication skills, problem-solving, leadership,

“AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE HAS MANY BUILT-IN MECHANISMS TO HELP CULTIVATE AND PREPARE STUDENTS FOR SUCCESSFUL CAREERS.”

work ethic, influence, accountability, perseverance, collaboration, and agricultural knowledge. Bang a gavel, learn a script, carry a clipboard, all types of SAEs, and many more experiences are unique and integral to preparing students for life and careers. The work we do builds confidence, ignites, inspires, and prepares our members. We model, facilitate and build through the activities we guide.

It is expected that by the year 2050, the world’s population will approach 10 billion, and with that comes an exponential need for the agriculture industry to respond to that growth. The need for young people with knowledge and unique skill sets who are prepared for careers in agriculture will be more critical than ever. Our classrooms and FFA activities will be vital in inspiring and engaging students in careers that will react to this growing demand for all things agriculture.

Success for our students will be driven by the seeds we plant, the passion we inspire,

and the lessons we teach. What will you be when you grow up? You have already answered that an ag teacher will inspire and prepare your students for career success through the lessons learned that each of you will guide in your communities, classroom, contests, barn, show ring, truck, bus, or wherever you invest in “Growing our Future.“

By the time you read this, you will be building relationships with new students, teaching, doing everything we do, and facing the challenges of a new school year. As students move through your program, remember you have the opportunity to impact and prepare for college, technical training, workforce, or whatever comes next.

In conclusion, don’t stand in line for the ice cream and not eat the ice cream. What we do is a blessing, and you greatly impact your students, schools, and communities. Be proud of your work; from my heart, “T.O.“ yours.

OUTSTANDING TEACHER AWARDS

WORKPLACE PREPARATION

BY: LYNITA FOSTER PAST PRESIDENT OF THE AGRICULTURE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS AND MADISONVILLE HIGH SCHOOL AGRICULTURE SCIENCE TEACHER

High school graduation. Many see this as the much-anticipated finale of years of classes, tests, homework, studying, and surviving school. While it is celebrated with gifts, cards, parties, balloons, and a sense of relief – it can also be a time of uncertainty. We likely experienced this feeling ourselves, and I see it in my students. For the first time, the next step is not clearly defined as simply advancing to the next grade. At this point, the question is, “Now what?”

This “now what” moment is what every teacher they have had to that point in their lives has tried to prepare them for. Whether they find a job immediately or head to college, the ultimate goal is to one day be gainfully employed, preferably in a vocation well suited to their interests and skills. Finding good employment helps pay the bills, minimizes financial worries, increases self-sufficiency, and gives a sense of accomplishment of contributing something valuable to society. Ag teachers are uniquely positioned to contribute to this ultimate goal. Each component of the three-circle model prepares students for that pomp and circumstance launch into the “real world.”

In ag classrooms, students learn about the art and science of food production, caring for natural resources in our world, fabricating equipment and buildings, growing plants and making beautiful floral arrangements, and much more. All of this is supported by SAEs, where the student applies skills to a personalized experience of their choice. This allows them to invest money and sweat, make decisions, and track profitability, experiencing job-like conditions in a guided setting. During the midst of all this,

many challenge themselves in FFA events, enhancing their ability to work with others, articulate their thoughts, study and disseminate information, and simulate actual occupations through competitive events. This three-way exposure invokes the adage, “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”

I have seen the ag education formula work to prepare students, no matter what path they take following their walk across that graduation stage. Let me give a few examples.

Ben – Coming from a challenging home life, Ben worked hard to support himself financially as an FFA member. After graduation, he was hired by the father of an FFA classmate who saw and liked his work ethic. Eventually, he landed his dream job as a wildlife manager, applying the knowledge he learned in ag classes to care for habitats and living things.

Jon – This student loved coming to the ag building and was a great hand in the shop. After high school, he went to work as a welder to support his technical school edu-

“I HAVE SEEN THE AG EDUCATION FORMULA WORK TO PREPARE STUDENTS, NO MATTER WHAT PATH THEY TAKE FOLLOWING THEIR WALK ACROSS THAT GRADUATION STAGE.”

cation. He now owns his own construction company and serves our community as a Justice of the Peace. He has chosen to boost other students similarly by sponsoring an annual scholarship through our FFA chapter.

Logan – This student enlisted in the army after graduation. Six months later, I received a letter where he described that he and three others were driven to the middle of nowhere. Their job was to get back to base. He thanked me for covering orienteering in class and said his team was back 24 hours before any other group. He has gone on to make the military his career.

Eric – The son of hard-working immigrants, Eric was not expecting to go to college. He found work at a machine shop and used this SAE to help him design and show ag mechanics projects. His hard work earned him enough scholarships to pay for his post-secondary education.

Lynita – She knew she wanted to attend college but had to find a way to pay for it. She had some savings from livestock projects and, thank goodness, earned a Texas FFA scholarship. The rest of the revenue came from part-time jobs where she kept books, a skill she had learned from her SAE and FFA applications. In short, ag education was what paid for her college and led her to a career as an ag teacher, which she loves.

Each of these stories represents a thousand more like them. Whether students enter college, the military, or the workforce, we have something to help them succeed. Researcher Andrew Nabor determined the average person will spend 90,000 hours at work in their lifetime. From age 18 to 65, a third of their existence will be spent on the job.

So as we begin this school year, let’s think of that graduation ceremony – not because we wish the days away but to ensure we accomplish our objective. Our job is to help them be ready for their job. Knowing our graduates have the confidence and skills to lead them to productive and rewarding careers is worth celebrating.

OF THE

80

THINKING PAST YEARS

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

1993-1994

"You are a member of one of the finest professional organizations in Austin, Texas, where some 200 associations carry on their business. A group of vocational ag teachers met on November 21, 1940, to lay the groundwork for this association. The board of directors was organized into committees, much like the present organization. Nine standing committees meet two times each year to make improvements in all phases of our activities. You will receive a newsletter mailing each month with special inserts to keep you informed about all aspects of the vocational ag and FFA program and what your association is doing.

Association board members stand ready to discuss your concerns during district and area meetings. Please call the association office collect when we may be of help or assistance. Working together, we will have another successful school year.

AN EXCERPT FROM A PAST AGRICULTURE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS NEWSLETTER

HOW IS AG ED IMPACTING WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT?

BY: RAY PIENIAZEK AGRICULTURE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

As a teacher of agricultural science, we influence various young minds every day. Sometimes we cannot guide them down a direct path toward agricultural science, but we can prepare them for the demands of the real world.

I recently read a report from the George W. Bush Institute and Texas 2036 Organization that stated, "By 2036, when Texas turns 200, 70% of jobs will require a post-secondary credential such as college or a trade certification." The report also stated, "22% of Texas eighth graders earn a degree or credential within six years after high school graduation." Lastly, it alludes to the fact that many moving to Texas have two times as many bachelor's degrees as native Texans in the workforce.

If statements are factual, what can we do to assist in preparing our students for the workforce?

Training students to be accountable for their actions is an excellent place to start. In the workplace, employees must be responsible for their progress toward reaching their employer's or company's daily or weekly goals. As a teacher, you can look for ways to hold students accountable regularly for their productivity. Grades are only sometimes something that motivates a student to be productive. Create some class goals or objectives with your students so they will buy into achieving those goals. Remember, classroom or shop situations can be charted so all students

can help the group achieve a reward.

When we were at the NAAE Region II, the Ideas Unlimited Award winner had students in her welding class punch a time clock every class period. Students could earn time off to catch up on classwork if they were on time and working while on the clock. They could say, "I am using my day that I earned," and use it in another manner outside of the shop time. The principal bought into the idea. As employees, we are given time off, and it's a great way to prepare them for the real world.

If we want to show them that certificates and degrees are valuable, find some employers to bring in that will share how valuable training - whether at a technical school or a community college - is important. This experience may show them that a small amount of advanced training will open doors for them in the future.

A trade school or a community college education will provide specific training and more than likely lead to a job immediately upon graduation or completion. Employers want trainable employees, so

“AS AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE TEACHERS, WE HAVE SO MANY WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITIES TO PREPARE OUR STUDENTS FOR THE CHALLENGES THEY WILL FACE IN THE FUTURE.”

showing them you followed through with training or certification will be valuable.

Work ethic is something that can be taught in every classroom situation. Make students responsible for working during the entire period. Create a series of jobs in the lab that students can be responsible for each week. Whether it be supervision, tool distribution, cleanup, organization of the shop, or a variety of other skills, hold them accountable for ensuring everything is done as needed.

We often talk about the soft skills we help develop in agricultural education. The World Economic Forum finds "more than one-third of the skills (35%) considered important in today's workforce will have changed within five years, with soft skills in the workplace becoming more important."

According to Deloitte, "90% of organizations are redesigning roles, with "hybrid jobs" in the highest demand; these roles marry technical skills with "soft" skills in areas such as communication, service, and collaboration."

As the job market continues to evolve, we have an excellent opportunity to prepare our students to communicate effectively and collaborate with their classmates. We offer many opportunities for them to speak, prepare documents, and collaborate with others in the classroom and during contests.

Empathy helps you read people and situations; adapt accordingly; build trust; and connect more effectively. It's also good for business. Working on a team helps create empathy, especially during our leadership development events that need teamwork to make a final presentation or product. Trusting that their teammates or classmates will help them reach team goals and is a very important trait to build.

The article also speaks about self-aware-

ness. Helping a student understand what they are good at and what they need to improve on is one of the most challenging parts of teaching. We want them to succeed, but sometimes they need to be made aware of a fault they could improve upon. Finding a positive way to make them aware of all of their qualities is something that we can try with students. Accepting feedback that is given to them would serve them well in their job situations.

As agricultural science teachers, we have so many wonderful opportunities to prepare our students for the challenges they will face in the future. Holding them accountable for their actions, showing them job opportunities that need specialized training, and teaching them soft skills of communication, empathy, and self-awareness are ways to help prepare them for the workforce.

Texas FFA Legacy Style

WE PREPARE THE NEXT GENERATION OF WORKFORCE LEADERSHIP

BY: AARON ALEJANDRO TEXAS FFA FOUNDATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The FFA needs Texas, and Texas needs the FFA. Agricultural science education and the Texas FFA are preparing students who are excelling in the workforce. One of the roles of the Texas FFA Foundation is to support and help promote the incredible source of human capital available through our students. Sponsors, policymakers, and other stakeholders who have had the opportunity to engage with our students are first to share how incredible they are both in their demonstrated skills and excellence in communication. More than just our testimony and the testimony of others, the Foundation invested in 2010 and again in 2022 to have a research project done to validate the value of agricultural education and engagement in the FFA and how that prepares students for college and the workforce.

With more than 3,000 high schools in Texas each year putting forth graduates looking for a job, scholarship, or other opportunity, the question is simple, “What is your competitive edge? What separates you from your peers?” Texas FFA members undoubtedly have a competitive edge with both technical and soft skills. Sponsors and other stakeholders regularly share the importance of “soft skills” in the workplace, and they note that Texas FFA members rise above their peers in this area.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the three "R's" (reading, writing, and arithmetic) are fundamental to an employee's ability to do a job, and employers view "soft" skills as even more important to workforce readiness.

NETWORKING

People with strong networks can solve problems more quickly and capitalize on an opportunity because they can quickly access talent to achieve positive results.

ENTHUSIASM

Being hopeful and encouraging sends a message to the values you will bring to an organization.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

A strong communication style with both the written and spoken word provides a competitive edge when working with internal and external customers.

PROBLEM SOLVING AND CRITICAL THINKING

Problem-solving and critical thinking refer to the ability to use knowledge, facts, and data to solve workplace problems effectively. Employers appreciate team members who can offer insight and fresh perspectives into better and more efficient ways of doing things.

So What? And According to Who? Two important questions to ask when defining the excellence demonstrated by students of agricultural education and the FFA. The data we obtained from the research demonstrates just how valuable our students are to the workforce.

When thinking of workforce preparation, think about our days in college when we went to lectures and labs. Our students can experience the same. Classroom instruction gives students the “book learning” of a topic or discipline. Then they

get to apply their learning through “hands-on” application through the Texas FFA Association (a career technical student organization [CTSO]). The outcomes of this type of learning give our students a competitive advantage and why they stand out from their peers.

Classroom instruction connects to FFA opportunities through six Programs of Study under Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (AFNR):

• Agribusiness

• Animal Science

• Applied Agricultural Engineering

• Environmental and Natural Resources

• Food Science and Technology

• Plant Science

In 2010, the data collected concluded:

• Students involved in just two semesters of agricultural education graduate at a significantly higher rate.

• FFA scholarship students are more confident in their ability to succeed in college.

• University leaders value FFA students in their recruitment and allocation of scholarships.

• Students with two, four or six semesters of agricultural education graduate at a higher rate than their peers.

• Students involved in four to six semesters of agricultural education have significantly lower disciplinary records.

In 2022, the data collected concluded:

Texas FFA Scholarship Recipients

• Students feel more prepared for college and 60% of FFA scholarship students stated they developed additional financial support.

• A majority of FFA students use their skills to pursue careers in non-agricultural based industries. In the past five-years, our academic scholarship breakdown was 616 non-agricultural based scholarships and 176 agriculturally based scholarships.

FFA is the most important high school ac-

tivity for preparing students for careers and employee recruitment and retention.

• 100% agree that FFA members are more prepared for careers than their peers.

• 83% agree that FFA members are more knowledgeable about entrepreneurship than their peers.

• 89% agree that FFA members receive more raises or bonuses than their peers.

Stakeholders agree that FFA members excel in their jobs because they’re more prepared for the workforce.

“I am looking for employees that are self-motivated, have leadership potential and can get along and communicate with people. I am looking for employees who have excelled not because they are good at memorization, but rather those who can actually think. FFA members have an opportunity to develop and demonstrate those skills.” -

Texas Employer

“Employees that were former FFA members tend to pursue higher roles and take on leadership positions.” - Texas Employer

While the Texas FFA Foundation supports Texas agricultural science education and the FFA through many outlets, we are pleased with this research that empowers and encourages our teachers in the local community with timely data they can share with school administrators, school board members, and other community stakeholders as well as legislators, policymakers, and sponsors.

If we can ever be of assistance to your local FFA chapter or serve as a community resource, please do not hesitate to contact us.

“TEXAS FFA MEMBERS UNDOUBTEDLY HAVE A COMPETITIVE EDGE WITH BOTH TECHNICAL AND SOFT SKILLS.”

REALITY CHECK: WORKFORCE PREPARATION

BY: JENNIFER JACKSON TEXAS FFA ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Do you all remember the Reality Check Quiz? You would choose your future career then enter the type of house and car you'd like to have as an adult. It would ask a myriad of questions for you to make lifestyle choices, and then all your hopes and dreams were shattered because the salary for your future career DID NOT align with your intended lifestyle.

At the end of the day, this is likely one of the most valuable lessons I learned in high school. Some of you likely still use this tool or a similar one in the classroom; I encourage you to bring this back if you don't. The reality is we already provide this "reality check" in AFNR courses… if we are teaching them the right way.

When students are in a Practicum or Career Preparation course or have the opportunity to participate in Work Based Learning they experience, they have a built-in reality check. Not only do they get to see the joys and discomforts of their intended career, they get to shadow someone in the field, hear all the ins and outs, and make an educated decision of whether or not the job is right for them. How many lawyers get to practice law before spending the better part of a decade in school only to learn this isn't their true passion?

The Texas Tri-Agency, which is made up of TEA, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and the Texas Workforce Commission, is working diligently to increase and support work-based learning opportunities. TEA states that their effor-

ts hope to 1) accelerate the development of high-quality work-based learning experiences that provide participants with meaningful opportunities and 2) support engagement by industry partners. These efforts accomplish even more than that though. They give students that reality check while providing real-world experiences that prepare them for the workforce. In a time where education doesn't currently align with workforce needs, these efforts are noble and appreciated.

Agriculture is a multi-billion dollar industry that is in desperate need of employees. Ag Daily tells us that each year, approximately 51,300 students across the nation graduate from an agriculture program. Still, for every graduate seeking a job, two jobs are available within the industry. As much as we talk about the scope of FFA opportunities, so many still fail to see that agricultural jobs are just as vast! As FFA advisors and stakeholders in the ag education community, we have this important job of preparing students to be successful, contributing members

“WE HAVE THIS IMPORTANT JOB OF PREPARING STUDENTS TO BE SUCCESSFUL, CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS OF SOCIETY WHILE HELPING THEM IDENTIFY A GREAT CAREER, SOME THAT DON'T EXIST YET!"

of society while helping them identify a great career, some that don't exist yet!

I hope every student who enters your classroom is asked about their interests. A four-year plan is a great way to do this. Have them identify skills they possess and interests they have already identified. Then work to identify opportunities through FFA that might assist them in preparing for a career that coincides with these skills and interests. A comprehensive four-year plan should include the courses they should take, potential SAEs, CDEs, LDEs, agriscience fair, public speaking, leadership opportunities…the list goes on. I'm not telling you anything you don't already know, but all of these experiences can be catered to the interests and development of those students. While they are learning technical skills that prepare them to enter

the workforce, the capstone to this four-year experience will hopefully provide an opportunity for work-based learning.

While we are constantly talking about the population growing quickly and our natural resources dwindling, what we need to talk about more is the fact that our workforce is shrinking and we need to meet the needs of our labor market. The really awesome thing is that we have the ability to contribute to the solution.

It remains true that the future of the agriculture industry (and all industries) are in your classroom. What small steps can you take to ensure that students have these meaningful reality checks before they enter the workforce and decide this career isn't for them?

UPDATES

BY: KELLY WHITE, TEXAS FFA ALUMNI PRESIDENT

If you haven’t figured out the theme of this publication yet, let me give you a clue. It is workforce preparation. I did some research before writing this article about the unemployment rate in the nation. I will admit that I am not an economic advisor or a statistician. I came to this conclusion. There are people that need work. There are jobs available. Some require skilled labor, while others require unskilled labor. Some of you are probably shaking your head with the statement that you just read. But how do we solve the problem of unemployment?

Although I wasn’t raised in an agricultural community, my parents taught me the value of work. I was an agricultural entrepreneur by the age of eight. I was in the landscaping business. That is, if you call mowing and trimming about ten of my neighbor’s houses in the urban neighborhood where I grew up. I would later go to work with my dad doing underground construction during the summer months of high school and college. My other “job” was my Supervised Agriculture Experience of raising and exhibiting Charolais heifers and Hereford steers. This SAE allowed me to earn the American Farmer Degree in 1982. These experiences were “workforce preparation” for me.

Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resource teachers are the best in the business, bringing about workforce preparation. Each of them has a personal story that they can share about an experience in their lives that made them the person they are today. They can share stories of student success that they have witnessed. Just ask one of these classroom heroes.

Or you could ask someone in your community. A member of your FFA Alumni & Supporter’s affiliate? I am sure that they would be glad to as-

sist. This assistance can come through various forms of support. Educational, financial, or support through hard work where this individual has “sweat equity” invested in your program.

Speaking of support, the Texas FFA Alumni would like to thank the following supporters of the Texas FFA Alumni’s annual auction. The contribution by these individuals allows our organization the opportunity to supply ten $500 grants to local Alumni and Supporter affiliates, five $500 scholarships to graduating seniors, recognize an outstanding Alumni group with a $500 stipend, send two individuals ($400 each) to the Washington Leadership Conference, recognize the retiring state FFA officers, and support to the ATAT.

We will also have our annual auction in Houston at next year’s State FFA Convention! You don’t know what you are missing!

Thank you to the following: Ag Worker’s Insurance, McCoy’s Building Supply, Creative Awards, Superior Trophies & Buckles, CEV Multimedia, River Star Farms, Sullivan Supply, D&D Outfitters, Clay Ewell Educational Services, Judging Card, AET, Pierce Arrow, Dale Brisby, Barefoot Campus Outfitters, Macie’s Ranch Boutique, Bar One Eleven Knifes (David Bryson), Wandering Maverick Boutique, Pieniazek Produce Company, Jennifer Jackson, and several viticulture companies (Bell Springs, Fiesta, Gail and Jennie McCulloch). I hope that I didn’t omit anyone. Please support these individuals and their companies.

Thank you to Justin Armes and Seitz Fundraising for making Fun Night at the convention a “Fund Night” for the Texas FFA Alumni via proceeds from the sale of convention merchandise.

“I BELIEVE IN MY OWN ABILITY TO WORK EFFICIENTLY AND THINK CLEARLY, WITH SUCH KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL AS I CAN SECURE.” - E.M. TIFFANY

LOBBYIST WORKING FOR INTEREST INVOLVING AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE EDUCATION AND RELATED TEACHERS

ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

TIMELY LEGISLATIVE UPDATES CONCERNING AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE EDUCATION

ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FEE IS WAIVED

ACCESS TO LEGAL ASSISTANCE

ACCESS TO A $1 MILLION PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE POLICY

YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION TO THE ASSOCIATION’S QUARTERLY MAGAZINE, GROWING OUR FUTURE

ACCESS TO THE ASSOCIATION’S WEBSITE, INCLUDING THE CAREER PAGE

ACCESS TO THE ASSOCIATION’S ONLINE MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY

ELIGIBILITY TO APPLY FOR THE ASSOCIATION’S STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP (MEMBER’S CHILDREN ONLY)

ELIGIBILITY TO APPLY FOR THE ASSOCIATION’S AWARDS AND RECOGNITION PROGRAM

ELIGIBILITY TO APPLY TO BE A PART OF THE ASSOCIATION’S PROFESSIONAL NEW TEACHER MENTORING PROGRAM

ELIGIBILITY TO PARTAKE IN THE KENNETH HUGHES LIFE INSURANCE PLAN

ACCESS TO THE ASSOCIATION’S AGRICULTURE SCIENCE TEACHERS CRISIS FUND

ACCESS TO THE VATAT CREDIT UNION

ACCESS TO A DISCOUNT AT WYNDHAM HOTELS NATIONWIDE

ACCESS TO THE AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION FORD TEXAS FFA LEADERSHIP CENTER FOR MEETINGS OR SMALL GATHERINGS