September 2014 by Texas Ag Ed

NEWS A Texas Team Ag Ed Publication

September 2014

The Way I See It Jack Winterrowd, Cedar Park

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” - Margaret Mead I completely believe that change is something that is inevitable in our lives and the successes we experience are largely the result of the way that we embrace change. Right after I was elected as a VATAT Officer, a good friend reminded me that eventually I would have to write my monthly column for this newsletter. That fact was something I didn’t even consider when I decided to run for this office. What would I be able to write that would make a positive impact on my peers? Like my predecessors, I will have a focus for each article this year so that at the conclusion of my term I can look back with hope that I have made a positive impact. When I began my teaching career in December of 1978, I never dreamed that I would be writing an article such as this or have the honor to serve in this office. I didn’t have a clue about what this all meant. I joined VATAT because Dr. Herman Brown said I had to do it. He was my mentor and basically got me my first job in Cameron, Texas. So who was I to ever question his authority? He told me that the job I was taking was going to change me and that I would eventually change the lives of

my students in that sleepy Central Texas town. I took the place of a career teacher who had been there forever. Since I was a 22-year-old with two fancy college degrees from Texas A&M, I knew that I was going to change the world. My start was somewhat unusual because I graduated on a Saturday and began teaching the following Monday. I was fresh off a very successful student teaching experience, thanks to Mr. Clarence Karcher, and I thought that I could take on the world. Little did I know that the world had other plans for me. Two weeks later over the Christmas break, I was asking some serious questions, what the devil I had gotten myself into? For you see, the man I replaced had been forced to take a medical retirement soon after school began in September and the students (I use that term loosely) had gone through a succession of substitute teachers until I arrived on the scene. Their favorite thing to do was to sharpen the ends of welding rods with the bench grinder and throw them into the wood ceiling of the shop to see if they could stick them there. My ideas on what to teach and how to teach were not at all to their liking. If I heard the phrase, “that’s not how Mr. ***** does it” once, I heard it a thousand times. I used to joke that if they would give me a dollar each time they said it, I could pay off my new truck. That

first group of seniors and I butted heads for the remainder of the year and when they graduated some of them wouldn’t even shake my hand of congratulations. But I made some changes and gradually, things improved. “We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us.” - Joseph Campbell So now fast forward to this new 2014-15 school year and I am beginning my 35th year working in Agriculture Education, 30 of which have been in a high school ag classroom. Looking back I see how the previous quote has reigned true in my professional life. There are

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VATAT News

The Way I See It

Points to Ponder

Continued

Charles Prause, Bosqueville

some in our ranks who remember the days of ag 1, 2, 3 and 4 but our numbers are greatly diminished. There are some who remember the mid 1980’s Ross Perot era when we left the teacher’s conference not knowing for certain we would still have jobs when school began. A larger number will recall the trials and tribulations of the 1990’s when our state staff shrunk to one person and the FFA was forced to stand, grow and thrive on its own. Today we are faced with educating the largest number of students our profession has ever seen while simultaneously supporting a Association that is facing record growth and the challenges of increasing member engagement so that it remains strong and vital to all who love it so dearly. We have survived and thrived through several re-writes of what we teach and how we are supposed to teach it. We have faced budget cuts and reductions in staff at the local level. We have been bashed by people who don’t understand or appreciate what we do. We go to work every day and do our jobs to the best of our abilities so that our students can succeed and our programs can grow and develop into models of innovation and education. We are successful in all these things because as a profession, we are change agents. I fondly recall sitting in a graduate class taught by Dr. James Christianson in 1983. He talked to us about being a “change agent”. We had to tell him what we thought that term meant and then listen to him say, “right, right, right’. He challenged us to embrace that term and to become the change agents that our profession would need for its future success and for the personal growth and career success of our students. As I look back over the many years I have dedicated to this profession, I can honestly say that I have embraced change in many ways. I am also happy to say that much of that change was positive. When school starts on August 25, 2014, I know that I won’t be teaching the same things in the same ways that I did on December 11, 1978. I also know that in the coming year, I will have to embrace even more change as we implement a new system of instruction put into place by HB 5, as we begin a new officer selection process, and as we embrace yet another revision of our TEKS. “Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything”. - George Bernard Shaw I challenge everyone who reads this article to think about how change affects your life. I challenge you to rise to each occasion prepared for the changes that will come. I challenge you to have a great school year. I am going to do my best to make it a great one. And that’s the way I see it.

Well, this is it. This is my last article. I have enjoyed sharing my experiences, thoughts and challenges with you this past year. My tenure as the VATAT President would not have been possible without the support of my wife, Robin, our two daughters, my teaching partner, Aimee Welle, the Bosqueville School Administration and School Board, our VATAT Board of Directors, Barney McClure, Aaron Alejandro, Tom Maynard, Jack Winterrrowd, Ray Pieniazek, Kevin Swor and Russell Thomas and my fellow ag teachers across the state. I would like to shout out a huge thank you to each and every one of you. We had a great Professional Development Conference in Abilene this year. I appreciate everyone who attended. I hope you enjoyed family night and the great door prizes. Please take the time to thank the sponsors and exhibitors who were so generous to help make our conference a success. On another note, I would like to discuss the Area Realignment Focus Committee. As chairman of the committee, I would like every ag teacher to understand that this committee is not charged with redrawing lines. The purpose of this committee is to operate as a focus group. We will study the current alignment and discuss to what extent re-alignment may be needed. The committee held its first meeting July 29, 2014 at the VATAT Conference in Abilene. Each area was represented by a teacher and our ten newly elected State FFA Officers. Three goals were established during the meeting that will be discussed in future meetings; 1) increase member engagement, 2) determine the needs of each area throughout the state and 3) examine the safety and economic aspects of student/teacher travel. In the end we had a very positive meeting and I look forward to future discussions that will enable us to decide what is best for all of our FFA members across this great state. Stand strong on your core values. Thanks again, and I will see you down the road!

INSIDE THIS ISSUE VATAT.........................................1 - 3 Texas FFA.................................4 - 5 Foundation..............................6 - 7 Texas FFA Alumni.........................9 Young Farmers....................10 - 11

VATAT News

2014 Conference In The Books Barney McClure, VATAT Executive Director

By the time you read this, school will be in session and our Professional Development Conference will be only a memory. We hope that you were able to come away from Abilene energized and prepared for a great school year. Site selection for Conference begins years in advance. Abilene was selected in 2011. Many factors are considered, including travel distance for teachers, hotel and motel costs and availability, Conference Center facilities and meeting rooms, as well as associated costs. In December, we held a conference planning meeting in Austin. Ideas for workshops, meetings and keynote speakers were discussed. In January, exhibitor packets were assembled and sent out. This allows our potential exhibitors and sponsors a chance to make plans for our event. In February, suggested workshop presenters were contacted to see if they were interested in presenting. About that same, potential keynote speakers were contacted, as well as providers for food, A.V., internet service and security. Pre-conference workshops were posted and we began registering participants. In May, the program began to take shape and was sent to the printer in early June. Finally, in July, seemingly a hundred details were ironed out before loading a cargo trailer with all our needed materials. No site for conference is perfect and we had some space issues at the Abilene Civic Center. On the plus side, we had a great person, Molly Moser, to work with at the Civic Center. Motels were reasonably priced and the parking was free. It was centrally located, and the dining options were varied. At the end of the Conference, we had 1,642 active, associate and student members in attendance. Our membership totals for active membership (which included some members not in attendance) stood at 1,648. Since this is only 10 members lower than at the end of last fiscal year, I am confident that we will set another membership record later this year. My thanks go out to many people who had a hand in a successful event. Staff members Karen Jones, Ashley Dunkerley, Kelsey Woods, Hannah Treptow; VATAT Board Members and Officers, Charles Prause, Jack Winterrowd, Ray Pieniazek, Kevin Swor and Russell Thomas; Tyler and Lori Weighat, George Krejci, Laura Traylor, Stacey Jones, Abby McCulloch, Aaron Alejandro, Tom Maynard, all of our sponsors and exhibitors and our workshop presenters. Now our attention turns to the 2015 event in Waco. If you have suggestions or ideas on conference, please email me at barney@vatat.org.or call our office at (512) 472-3128

There are no limits to the ways you can bring attention to the great profession of agricultural education, especial y on Teach Ag Day. Interested in participating? Visit http://ow.ly/AjZf5 to access a variety of resources to make the job easier.

Fresh Country Supports the VATAT with a Annual Donation!

www.FreshCountry.com 3

VATAT News

UPDATE 86th Texas FFA Convention Rewind Tom Maynard, Texas FFA Executive Director The 2014 Texas FFA Convention was the largest convention held since the Association’s inception in 1929. It was the first convention in our 86 year history to eclipse the 12,000 mark in overall attendance. We had 7,583 student, 1,466 advisors and 3,329 guests and exhibitors. The state convention is a huge undertaking to create. We have a terrific team of student and teacher volunteers who work alongside staff, contractors and local host committee. We hope that you had a great experience, but we want to know how we can do better. Please visit https://www.texasffa.org/ questionfeedback.aspx?ID=2 and give us your honest assessment of your experience.

National Finalists Agriscience Fair Finalists

Animal Systems Jr Individual - Olivia Wise-Dent, James Madison Jr Team - Mikaela Sorrells & Katarina Ponce, James Madison Sr Individual - Michaela Barringer, Clear Springs Sr Team - Kyle Ramsey & Kynsee Gesch, Navasota Environmental Services/Natural Resource Systems Jr Individual - Micah Rainey, Stephenville Jr Team - Sterling Pieniazek & Taylor Schertz, Krum Sr Individual - Brandt Donathan, Frenship Sr Team - Reagan Langemeier & Emily Reiley, Marion Food Products and Processing Systems Jr Individual - Eamonn Delaney, Stephenville Jr Team - Emmy Powell & Samantha Sullivan, Abernathy Sr Individual - Johnna Pieniazek, East Central Sr Team - Jessica Glass & Mia Boon, James Madison Plant Systems Jr Individual - Gage Guffy, Krum Jr Team - Rane’ Prak & Michael Cumo, Woodville Sr Individual - Tyler Warren Thompson, Florence Sr Team - Courtney Adams & Aubrey Waggoner, Cooper - Lubbock Power, Structural, and Technical Systems Jr Individual - Ryan Frampton, Florence Jr Team - Riley McKinzie & Jessica Dammers, Stephenville

Sr Individual - Kylie Patterson, East Central Sr Team - Daniella Burleson & Joshua Saleen, James Madison Social Systems Jr Individual - Kelsey Kinnibrugh, Seymour Jr Team - Lauren Akers & Darby Havens, Abernathy Sr Individual - Samuel Gostomski, Bandera Sr Team - Kenzie Smith & Conner McKinzie, Stephenville

Proficiency Finalists

Ag Education - Tyler Mogford, Canyon Ag Sales (En) - Naomi Hall, Klein Ag Sales (Pl) - Cheyenne Swor, Diboll Ag Services (En/Pl) - Madison Stout, Ponder Agriscience Research Animal Sys-Taylor Swinson, Sulphur Springs Agriscience Integrated Systems Research - Colby Gipson, Gilmer Beef Production (En) - Brooke Blum, Howe Beef Production (Pl) - Cole Hudson, Ponder Dairy Production (En) - Dakota Zapalac, Schulenburg Diversified Crop Production (En) - Matthew Boerner, Pilot Point Diversified Crop Production (Pl) - Daniel McCurdy, Boyd Equine Sciences (En) - Lane Wood, Lingleville Fiber/Oil Crop Production - Will Braack, Pilot Point Food Science & Technology - Tate Leatherwood, Florence Forest Mgmt & Products - Henry Nelson, Gilmer Goat Production - Libbie Speer, Breckenridge Home/Community Development - Madeline Dixon, Klein Outdoor Recreation - Bailey Wilson, Pilot Point Small Animal Production/Care - Sarah Townsend, Ingram Specialty Animal Production - Hailey Daugherty, Plano East Vegetable Productio - Tanner Yeager, Ponder Veterinary Medicine - Caylie McCulloch, Frisco - Centennial

National Chapter Finalists

Model of Innovation Finalists - Weimar FFA 3 Stars - Caldwell FFA 3 Stars - Cedar Park FFA 3 Stars - Coldspring FFA 3 Stars - Columbus FFA 3 Stars - Decatur FFA 3 Stars - Katy FFA 3 Stars - Klein FFA 3 Stars - Krum FFA 3 Stars - Lanier FFA 3 Stars - Livingston FFA

VATAT News 3 Stars - Manor FFA 3 Stars - Rusk FFA 3 Stars - Schulenburg FFA 3 Stars - Snyder FFA 3 Stars - Tomball FFA 3 Stars - Waco-Midway FFA 3 Stars - Weimar FFA 3 Stars - Wills Point FFA 2 Stars - Calallen FFA 2 Stars - China Spring FFA 2 Stars - Granbury FFA 2 Stars - Hallsville FFA 2 Stars - Klein Collins FFA 2 Stars - Morton Ranch FFA 2 Stars - Simms FFA 2 Stars - Waskom FFA

State Winners Proficiency Winners

Ag Communications - Paris Walther, Decatur Ag Education - Tyler Mogford, Canyon Ag Mechanic Design & Fab. - Colten Froneberger, Sulphur Springs Ag Mechanic Repair & Maint. (En) - Samuel Brewer, Union Grove Ag Mechanic Repair & Maint. (Pl) - Justin Castor, Dubiski Ag Mechanic Energy Systems - Luis Flores, Dubiski Ag Processing - Riley Carter, Ponder Ag Sales (En) - Naomi Hall, Klein Ag Sales (Pl) - Cheyenne Swor, Diboll Ag Services (En/Pl) - Madison Stout, Ponder Agriscience Integrated Systems Research - Colby Gipson, Gilmer Agriscience Research Animal Sys-Taylor Swinson, Sulphur Springs Agriscience Research Plant Systems - Bailey Scogin, Lyford Beef Production (En) - Brooke Blum, Howe Beef Production (Pl) - Cole Hudson, Ponder Dairy Production (En) - Dakota Zapalac, Schulenburg Dairy Production (Pl) - Zack Asbill, Winnsboro Diversified Ag Production - Dale Alley, Rogers Diversified Crop Production (En) - Matthew Boerner, Pilot Point Diversified Crop Production (Pl) - Daniel McCurdy, Boyd Diversified Horticulture - Molly Booth, Whitney Diversified Livestock - Brittany Sanders, Harper Emerging Ag Technology - Brian Newman, Troy Env.& Natural Resource Mgmt - Savanna Shellnutt, Granbury Equine Sciences (En) - Lane Wood, Lingleville Equine Sciences (Pl) - Mary Cage, Ponder Fiber/Oil Crop Production - Will Braack, Pilot Point Food Science & Technology - Tate Leatherwood, Florence Forage Production - Kara Parr, Ponder Forest Mgmt & Products - Henry Nelson, Gilmer Fruit Production - Jaclyn Robinson, Dayton Goat Production - Libbie Speer, Breckenridge Grain Production (En) - Spencer Wilder, Rudder Grain Production (Pl) - Nikolas Gonzalez, Amherst Home/Community Development - Madeline Dixon, Klein Landscape Mgmt - Lane Roth, Pilot Point Nursery Operations - Rory Tucker, Klein Outdoor Recreation - Bailey Wilson, Pilot Point Poultry Production - Casin Hodges, Cotton Center Sheep Production - John Derry, Bandera Small Animal Production/Care - Sarah Townsend, Ingram

Specialty Animal Production - Hailey Daugherty, Plano East Specialty Crop Production - Brooke Chilcutt, Weatherford Swine Production (En) - Cameron Knight, Shallowater Swine Production (Pl) - Michael Dubois, Dayton Turfgrass Mgmt - Dalton Cosper, Academy Vegetable Productio - Tanner Yeager, Ponder Veterinary Medicine - Caylie McCulloch, Frisco - Centennial Wildlife Production & Mgmt - Blake May, Northwest

Star Winners

American Degree Agribusiness - Spencer Deal, Ponder American Degree Agriscience - Gretchen Vilas, Rudder American Degree Placement - Tanner Yeager, Ponder American Degree Production - Rhett Wilson, Barbers Hill Chapter Degree Agribusiness - Luke Hale, Throckmorton Chapter Degree Agriscience - Bailey Scogin, Lyford Chapter Degree Placement - Rachael Fargerson, Spring Branch Chapter Degree Production - Conner McKinzie, Stephenville Greenhand Degree Agribusiness - Jaycie Braune, Navarro Greenhand Degree Agriscience - Micah Rainey, Stephenville Greenhand Degree Placement - Baillie McManners, Iola Greenhand Degree Production - Taylor Schertz, Krum Lone Star Degree Agriscience - Taylor Swinson, Sulphur Springs Lone Star Degree Agribusiness - Justin Been, Springlake Lone Star Degree Placement - Jacy Brynn Darby, Harmony Lone Star Degree Production - Brooke Chilcutt, Weatherford

Public Speaking Winners

Extemporaneous - Zach McMeans, Borden Soil Stewardship - Breathony Baker, Chapel Hill Jr Prepared - Mati Abner, Howe Sr Prepared - Dylan Bacon, Lindale

FREE FUNDING FOR YOUR FFA CHAPTER

• Home Grown, developed by Red Brand fence, helps FFA chapters receive funding through their local ag dealers • For every roll of Red Brand fence your local ag dealer orders, up to $1 is donated to your chapter • Over 1200 chapters received money last year Learn more at redbrand.com/homegrown. DON’T MISS OUT! 2015 Registration 12/1/14-3/31/15 Talk to your local ag dealer today about participating.

VATAT News

UPDATE Back to School – Food and Pride Aaron Alejandro, Texas FFA Foundation Executive Director School is back and so too is the opportunity to make a positive difference. Not just in the life of young people, but through agricultural education and helping your local community learn more about food. Here’s what we are up against. Today there are nearly 1 billion hungry people around the globe. Yet in only 50 years, our growing global population will require an estimated 100 percent more food than we produce today. Unfortunately, we do not have 100 percent more highquality land available to grow twice the amount of grain or two times more livestock. Now, this means quite a bite to folks like you and I, those who understand agriculture, food security and it is important, but not everyone gets it or appreciates the direction we are headed. In a February 2014 an online poll, “How do you believe consumers feel about agriculture?” 78 percent of respondents feel “consumers like agriculture but don’t understand best-management practices.” No one agreed that consumers “like agriculture” and understand best-management practices, and 22 percent of respondents answered consumers “are negative about agriculture in general.” Abraham Lincoln said, “The philosophy of the school room in one generation will become the philosophy of government in the next.” What we teach our students about agriculture, food, food security, water and energy will be echoed in how they advocate, vote and govern in the future. Let’s go for the low hanging fruit and help our local communities become more aware of their food. Since most folks don’t connect with agriculture, let’s talk about food. Where does food come from, how is it grown and raised? I recently went to meeting at the Fort Worth Stock Show and heard about one of the more innovative approaches to food literacy, Pizza Ranch. They build a pizza in the arena with live beef, pork, dairy and fiber products like corn and wheat. They bring in elementary children and let them see, learn, touch and feel the food and fiber we will consume. As a treat for participating, 6

the students are then rewarded with real pizza! What a great idea. Additional kudos go to the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo and San Antonio Livestock Exposition for providing guided tours like Animal Adventures, Dairy Center and the Horse Center so students can learn more about agriculture through interactive hands-on displays and view live farm animals that include cattle, swine, sheep, goat, poultry and horses. When local members have a chance, engage in these opportunities and help tell the important story of food. You can also stay engaged by using the Texas Proud of Texas Agriculture website and Facebook pages. Our goal is to communicate with a public that has not heard enough from farmers, ranchers, FFA and 4-H members. It is our job to tell the credible, proven and honorable story of Texas agriculture, and that’s what Texas Proud of Texas Agriculture is all about! As the school year begins let’s agvocate and show our Texas FFA pride. We appreciate all our Texas agriculture science teachers do to inspire, empower and direct the minds of those who will lead our great state and country. We appreciate our sponsors and stakeholders for providing their generous support to help make dreams come true. It’s a new school year – let’s do this!

VATAT News

Official Texas FFA Gear

Food Dialogues: Austin

Back to school is also a time to show your Texas FFA pride by putting the official Texas FFA Gear logo on your chapter t-shirts. Official Texas FFA Gear is a great way to help your students learn the importance of stewardship of our Texas Team Ag Ed. The Texas FFA Gear logo can be put on the top of the back collar or on the sleeve. No matter how it is promoted, you are helping ensure a sound financial future for Texas FFA programming. 100% of all funds received will support Texas FFA Scholarships and the Agricultural Education Endowment. You will be helping your students learn about taking care of our Texas FFA and those you honored will know you appreciate and acknowledge their support. Here’s how it works and how your chapter can participate: • Contact the Foundation office and secure the Texas FFA Gear logo for your chapter. • Coordinate your gift with your chapter i.e. .50, .75 or $1.00 per item sold that bears the logo. • Have students honor someone. Honor forms can be downloaded on the Foundation website at: http://texasffafoundation.org/page.aspx?ID=133 • Send your check for the number of items sold.

When it comes to food, Texas consumers face a vast array of choices and a blizzard of buzzwords and information. Food Dialogues: Austin will piece the puzzle together, taking an in-depth look at Texas agriculture and answering the tough questions about diverse food production and animal welfare issues. Inspired by a new generation of people who love to eat, The Food Dialogues: Austin will be an honest discussion to help Texas consumers reconnect with their food and the farmers and ranchers who grow it. You are invited to attend the event, Thursday, September 18, 2014. We encourage you to bring your student and engage in beneficial and educational agriculture dialog. Please RSVP to the event at http://www. fooddialogues.com/events/fd-austin/register.

Available Now

U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance

Tentative Agenda 10:00 a.m. - Registration begins 10:30 a.m. - Animal welfare: Beyond the hype Noon - Lunch break 1:30 - Farming methods. Consumer interpretation.

VATAT News

INVESTING IN THE FUTURE OF RURAL AMERICA At CHS, we’re committed to creating a strong future– and strong future leaders– for rural America and giving back to our communities with our time, talent and resources. To learn more about how CHS is helping cultivate the future today, visit chsinc.com/stewardship.

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VATAT News

UPDATE Going, Going, Gone Kelly White, Texas FFA Alumni President Another summer has come and gone, now face a new school year. After the Alumni portion of the convention was over, I was asked the question “How Did We Do?” We awarded $4,000 in scholarships, $4,500 in grants, $1,000 in leadership development and $500 to an outstanding affiliate. The Texas FFA Alumni is proud to be one of the many sponsors of the VATAT. This year’s auction raised an estimated $13,000 for our organization. The Texas FFA Alumni appreciates the tremendous support of McCoy’s. We also appreciate the various convention exhibitors for their kind donations. Thank you to local affiliates such as Spring Branch, Gunter, Canyon Lake, Weimar, Manor, Kingwood and Gilmer. We appreciate those ag teachers and past state officers that just walked in and found themselves in a bidding war. The Texas FFA Alumni partnered with the Cinco Ranch-Katy to support the state wide Texas FFA Food drive at State Convention in Fort Worth this past summer. We encouraged those attending State FFA Convention to give back to the host community, as part of the FFA Motto “Living to Serve”. This year our goal was $1,500, and with the help of members, advisors and others we were able to surpass that goal and raise over $1,700 to give to the Tarrant County Food Bank.

Yamaha Viking Sweepstakes National FFA Official Sweepstakes Rules

Eligibility: The Sweepstakes is open to all individuals 18 years of age or older who are alumni of the National FFA Organization and who update or complete their contact information with FFA before the deadline, no purchase necessary, and the entry will be placed in the appropriate receptacle with the name and contact information of the entrant. There is a limit of one entry per eligible person who updates their contact information.Board Members and all Part Time and Full Time employees of FFA, along with the immediate members of their families are not eligible. Entry: No purchase is necessary to obtain one free entry in the Sweepstakes per qualified person who updates their contact information. To enter, go to www.ffa.org and log into account profile to update your contact information. Prize Drawing: The drawing will occur at the Kentucky Exposition Center, 937 Phillips Lane, Louisville, KY 40209 during the National FFA Convention & Expo on the Alumni Stage at 8:00 p.m. ET on October 30, 2014. The last day the Sweepstakes will be open to receive entries is September 30, 2014.

VATAT News

UPDATE Notes From the Executive Secretary Don Beene, Texas Young Farmers Executive Secretary I want to thank those of you that came by the booth and shared some of the things happening in your program. There appears to be a lot of interest in adult agricultural education. I hope that you will have a couple of programs for your adults, whether they are young farmers, booster club or alumni. The need for our adults to understand what is happening on in agriculture is important. You never know, they may keep our folks in Austin and DC informed. It is time to begin collecting dues for the 20142015 school year. The young farmer dues remain $25 per member and the dues form is on our web site www.txyoungfarmers.org. We have omitted phone numbers and added email addresses. When you pay your dues you are automatically placeed on the NYFEA membership list and you will be mailed NYFEA Newsletters from the National Organization letting you know what is going on at the National level. The board decided to give out all awards at the convention this January. I encourage you to go to the web page and fill out the applications. One of the big discussions at the board meeting was that the chapters should fill out the applications, do not ask the individual to fill out the award for himself/herself. If an award has a sponsor there will be a cash award given to the winner if he/she is at the convention January 8-10, 2015. I want to wish each of you a great year and if I can help with a Young Farmer program just let me know.

Thank You Sponsors I wanted to take this opportunity to thank our sponsors. I was able to get a couple of them to come by the booth at the VATAT Conference and get a picture of them with the sign we had displayed at the Convention and the Conference. I apologize for the blur in the pictures. Top: The Texas FFA Foundation Executive Director, Aaron Alejandro and Chanda Neal, 10

Ambassador at the Conference. Bottom: Sandra Choate, Vice President Public Relations Ag Workers Insurance. I was not able to get a picture of Matheson or Farm Credit Bank of Texas, but I would like to recognize them for their support of our organization.

VATAT News

State Young Farmer Convention January 8-10 in Bryan, Texas

The board met on August 9 and will meet again on September 13 to finalize the plans for the 60th State Young Farmer Convention. The convention will begin on Thursday evening with an ice breaker, we will have chips and salsa and will be working on some fun things to loosen folks up and help everyone get acquainted. Friday morning we will have breakfast at the hotel and then load buses to begin our day. We have a two hour tour/simulation of a disaster situation with the Veterinary Emergency Team of the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine. The other half of the attendees will be at another location of which we are attempting to narrow down. Then the two groups will swap tours. Everyone will participate in all the tours. The lunch will be held at the restored theater in downtown Bryan. The afternoon will be filled with more tours and arriving back at the hotel around 5pm. We will then take a few minutes to refresh ourselves and then begin dinner at 6:30pm. Our famous Ag Olympics competition will follow. Saturday will begin with breakfast at the hotel followed by a delegate meeting and business meeting to adopt our Program of Work, set the dues and update our constitution. You will be receiving more information on this as the changes begin to take place. Be sure and watch the mail at your chapter mail box, we will send you a copy of the changes that are being submitted. Our constitution is set up on the assumption that each FFA area of Texas is active and participating and that is not the case so the board is attempting to make some changes that will grow our Organization. The Luncheon Saturday will recognize our sponsors and exhibitors. The Scholarship Auction will be conducted following the luncheon. Saturday afternoon will be the usual workshops that may include some of the following; farm and ranch business management, horticulture, organic gardening, estate planning, farmers market, CEU topics. These will be

finalized on the September 13. Saturday evening we will have our banquet and present the awards. The board decided to have the usual awards even though we are getting a late start, but they figured it would be equal for everyone since it is just now being published. We will also have the basket and bronze auction at the close of the banquet. Different ideas are being explored for the entertainment after the banquet such as a casino night, dancing, various wii games, however the group decided to wait until September to finalize the entertainment. We will have the photo contest, essay contest (topics will be emailed to the chapter advisors soon) and basket contest. We want to encourage each chapter to prepare a bushel basket for the basket contest as the funds from auctioning the baskets goes to the scholarship fund. Each Chapter is eligible to prepare a basket containing products from your local area. The photos, essays and baskets must be turned in at the registration table when registration closes Friday evening.

VATAT News

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Upcoming Events September

October

1st Swine Validation Begins 4th West Texas Fair & Rodeo 15th Texas FFA Board of Directors Meeting 19th Houston Astros FFA Night 26th State Fair of Texas

November

1st Houston Calf Scramble Applications Due

1st FFA Dues Deadline

8th Texas A&M Equine Judging Workshop

1st San Antonio Calf Scramble Applications Due

25th Aggiefest Judging Contest

2nd Heart of Texas Fair

30th Last Day to Validate Swine

15th Prairie View A&M Invitational LDE Contest 29th National FFA Convention

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Contact www.vatat.org

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Officers Jack Winterrowd, President

Ray Pieniazek, Vice President

Shane Crafton, Secretary/Treasurer

Staff Barney McClure, Executive Director

Ashley Dunkerley, Communications

Karen Jones, Membership Services