September 2015 by Texas Ag Ed

NEWS A Texas Team Ag Ed Publication

September 2015

Are You Making The Most Of Your Chances? Ray Pieniazek, East Central

Howdy! I hope you are prepared for a great upcoming school year. I’m excited about the year ahead and the challenges it will bring. A few years ago I received a book called “Forty Chances” by Howard G. Buffet. This book has been called an “inspiring manifesto…both an informative guidebook and a catalyst for igniting real changes.” I’m not normally a big reader of books, but this one sparked my interest and it gave me a few thoughts to share. After teaching for 27 years, I do a lot of things without even thinking about how to do them. Our students are changing right before our eyes in many ways. What they see as important and what we see as important are sometimes two different things. “It’s easy to slip into a rhythm in life and just plod forward. Whether you love or hate what you’re doing, whether you’re good at it or struggling, life is not a treadmill… it’s a moving walkway. There are no do overs, we get a limited number of chances to do what we do, whatever we do,” said Buffet. Are you listening to people with new ideas? Are you learning from your mistakes? You should be making the most

of the opportunities you have to teach and mold the minds of your students. Are you changing your teaching strategies to meet the needs of your students? We should all be embracing new technologies in our classroom. The more we meet the needs of our students, the more successful they will be. Take a chance and try something new this year in your classroom. To those of you just starting teaching, teach your hearts out and shape those wonderful minds you have in your classroom. Whether they tell you or not, they want and need your support. Another thought that goes out to each of you. Think about everything you do before you do it. Ask yourself some questions including: Does it follow school district policy? Does it follow FFA policy? Does it follow stock show policy? Does it follow along with your personal morals and ethics? Remember the saying “it takes 30 years to build a reputation, but only takes five minutes to ruin it.” Make wise choices in your career. Don’t do something that could ruin what you have worked so hard for. “It is funny how often the path of where we need to be in life can be littered with foul ups, setbacks

and mistakes but anything worth doing or learning involves mistakes,” said Buffet. Learn from whatever you do and keep moving forward. Whether you are new or old, never be afraid to ask for help or to get direction from fellow teachers or administrators. I wish you the best of luck in the coming year and look forward to seeing you at verious events accross the state. If there is anything I or the VATAT can do for you, please get in touch with us. You may contact the VATAT office at (512) 472-3128 or email vatat@vatat.org.

VATAT News

The Way I See It Jack Winterrowd, Cedar Park “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” - Maya Angelou The 2014-15 school year was a busy one indeed. When it began I didn’t feel prepared and when it ended, I marveled at how quickly it had passed. Through all of the business, meetings and travel I kept thinking about how it would end. Would my term as VATAT President end successfully? Would I be able to look back on the year with pride and a sense of accomplishment? Would I feel like I had made a positive impact on my profession and on the people who mean the most to me? I can honestly say that I believe it was a good year. Our association grew stronger financially. The Texas FFA made progress in some areas that needed attention and focus. My students enjoyed success at contests and shows. My family was healthy and didn’t disown me for being gone even more than usual. “When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive - to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.” - Marcus Aurelius I try to always begin each day with a prayer. Sometimes it is done while I am getting ready for the day. Sometimes it is done while I am feeding the sows. More often than not, it is done on the way to work. I use my 30 minute commute each day to get myself mentally prepared for the day and unwind from the day that has passed. I thank God each day for my family and friends and for giving me a life that is good and privileged. I have experienced something that only 73 other VATAT Presidents can claim. It truly has been an honor to serve and lead a great organization of professionals who shape the minds, hearts and character of countless young people who love agriculture and love the FFA. We hear it said all the time that teaching is a calling and I firmly believe this statement. It is a profession filled with highs and lows. Good days and others not so much. Truly memorable events and others we can’t wait to forget. Throughout the year I have been challenged in my daily reflections to discover what the most important things are. “Make space in your life for the things that matter, for family and friends, love and generosity, fun and joy. Without this, you will burn out in mid-career and wonder where your life went.” - Jonathan Sacks At this point in my career, I don’t see discouragements as critically as I did when I was younger. Now when I feel burned out, I just chalk it up 2

to being tired. I joke with people that I am old and old people deserve to be tired. The best part of that is when I get to begin a new day and I am not tired. I do recognize that we all get tired and that is something I have asked people who come to me with problems or concerns about their job. Are they really burned out or are they simply tired? That has to be a personal decision and for some it is painful because it usually forces some kind of action to find a better solution. After I had taught for three years, I decided to leave teaching for a higher paying job with fewer hours. I worked diligently for two years and in this time, I discovered that I missed my calling. At the time, I told people that I was burned out. Now looking back with over 30 years of hindsight, I know that I was tired and I didn’t make that space for myself and my family that was needed. “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” - Martin Luther King, Jr. This year has not been without its challenges and controversies. I can recall many times during FFA Board of Directors meetings when I thought “what have you gotten yourself into this time Winterrowd?” Now that is not to say that it has been a bad experience, only one that has been challenging at times. Overall, I firmly believe that the Texas FFA Board of Directors is working diligently on the behalf of the 109,000 members in our great state. Thankfully, our VATAT meetings have been productive and uplifting. I see many promising prospects on the horizon for our profession and our association. We have experienced record growth in both arenas, and with this growth comes challenges to improve member services, an attempt to recognize and serve all the various populations and discover new and interesting opportunities for continued growth and prosperity. Yes, there are many challenges ahead but I feel certain that we have leadership in place that is Continue on page 3

INSIDE THIS ISSUE VATAT................................................................1 - 6 Texas FFA..........................................................8 -9 Foundation....................................................11 Texas FFA Alumni..........................................13 Young Farmers.............................................14 - 15

VATAT News dedicated to continuous improvement. It has been an honor and privilege to serve with Ray Pieniazek, Shane Crafton, Charles Prause and Kevin Swor this year as VATAT Officers. We have spent many hours talking about ag teaching, ag teachers, FFA and FFA members. We have tried to solve all the world’s problems and I pray that we were able to accomplish that in some small, humble manner. “Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.” - Lou Holtz I firmly believe that God blesses each of us with abilities that are uniquely our own. We share those with other people and the synergy we develop from that experience is what makes our lives better. I can truly reflect on this year and say that the motivation to lead and succeed was strong among this officer team. The attitude component was one of cooperation and respect. We didn’t always agree on things but we did try hard to respect each other’s viewpoints and make decisions that would be best for the teachers and FFA members we were elected to represent. For my personal viewpoint, I remain convinced that I have experienced a great thing. People frequently ask me if I have had fun serving as VATAT President and my answer has always been a strong “YES”! Certainly there have been times when I was tested but never enough to question my purpose and intent. I tell people that I knew what I was signing up for when I ran for office three years ago and each year has been a growing experience. I have learned so much about our profession and the inner workings of our association. I have been blessed to work side by side with an excellent staff. Thank you to Barney, Karen and Ashley! I firmly believe that our Team Ag Ed is growing stronger. Aaron and JoAnn do excellent work with the FFA Foundation. Tom, Dean, Kaleigh, Suzi and Gwen deserve our thanks and appreciation for jobs well done this year.

Many thanks to my teaching partner, Myles Russell, and my fellow LISD teachers, Jeff Kelley, Emily Vera, Shannon Houy, Magan Escamilla, Derek Coffee and Kenny Edgar. You guys always supported me and didn’t complain when I missed a meeting or event because of my officer duties. Special thanks to my Principal, John Sloan, my CTE Director, Camille Clay and my Superintendent, Dr. Bret Champion, for allowing me to serve this year. A final thank you must be said to my family. My wife, Tammy, daughters, Holly Holland and Ashley Winterrowd, son-in-law Jason Holland and grandkids, Avery, Emery and Hudson Holland. You guys were my strongest supporters and took up the slack when I was traveling or stressed and busy. I love you all! Looking back over the past year, I have tried to find quotes for each President’s article that would inspire people and also provide some insight into who I am and what I believe. I hope there has been some obvious method to my madness and that in some small way, I have left an imprint on all who have read them. It has been my desire to make a positive impact in my student’s lives and in the lives of those who mean so much to me. “I follow three rules: Do the right thing, do the best you can, and always show people you care.”― Lou Holtz Thank you all so much for this amazing opportunity to lead and serve. I feel honored and blessed by the experience. And that’s the way I see it.

YOUR CONFERENCE CERTIFICATE IS ONLINE NOW! You can find the document on your membership account online at vatat.org. Please contact Karen@vatat.org or call (512) 472-3128 if you have any questions.

VATAT News

Conference 2015 - It’s a Wrap! Barney McClure, VATAT Executive Director For many of our members the VATAT Professional Development Conference is the most tangible of our member benefits. This event allows teachers the opportunity to earn Continuing Professional Education (CPE) hours to keep teaching certificates in force. It is also a time to learn of new developments in our profession, network with other professionals, and visit with exhibitors that supply goods and services we need. For many, it is one of the last opportunities of the summer to have some time to reflect without student responsibilities. This year’s conference theme, “75 Years: A Legacy of Excellence” paid homage to our long history. Our conference program featured pictures of all 74 of those who served as President of our Association (one individual served two years during World War II). During our opening session, Representative Jimmie Don Aycock was reunited with his high school agriculture teacher, Marvin Radle, whom he hadn’t seen in 50 years. Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller was also honored along with his high school agriculture teacher, Don Ballard. As agriculture teachers, we never know for how long, and how far our influence will stretch.

I was proud of the depth and diversity of our workshop lineup. It is always a challenge to put a relevant and interesting set of workshops together, presented by recognized experts in their fields. Each area had representatives at the planning session in December that begins the process. For a variety of reasons, all suggestions didn’t come to fruit, but many of the ideas resulted in presented workshops. We will repeat the process on December 12, 2015. We had 85 sponsors and exhibitors participate in our exhibit show. I am sure this is a record number. From my conversations with them, it is apparent that coming to conference is viewed as an important activity for them. Next time you interact with one of these folks, please thank them for their support. Much of the funding for our conference comes from income generated by sponsorships and exhibit space. Finally, I want to thank each of you for your participation. I believe we have a higher percentage of our members come to our conference than any other teacher group. The reason we have a quality event is due to the fact that most of our members feel like attendance is a need rather than a want. During my teaching tenure, I felt like I got critical information for the coming year. Planning is already underway for next year in Corpus Christi, and if you have suggestions please send them to barney@vatat.org.

VATAT News

Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas

75th Anniversery Belt Buckle

$75 All proceeds go towards the VATAT Scholarship Fund

Name: ____________________________________________ Phone Number: _____________________________________ Address: __________________________________________ Send Order Form and Payment To: VATAT Attn: Buckle 614 East 12th Street Austin, Texas 78701 5

VATAT News

RiverStar Farms Announces Winners Ben Cherry, Dick Rea, and the RiverStar Staff RiverStar Farms is proud to announce the results from The First Annual Ag Teachers BBQ Cook-Off and the winners of the 2015 VATAT Scholarship Fundraiser Drawing held during family night. Between these two events, we were able to generate $16,000 to contribute to the VATAT Scholarship Fund. This puts RiverStar Farms over $120,000 generated for the fund in the past 10 years. It is a pleasure to host such fun events for such a great cause. We couldn’t do it without the support of the Texas ag teachers and the entire VATAT family, friends, vendors and sponsors. We are excited about 2016 and the efforts to raise even more money for your children. Our hats are off to you!

Battle on the Brazos The BBQ Cook-Off was a huge success! A good time was had by all who attended. We had an estimated 500 in attendance on a hot and sunny day in Waco. The “Battle on the Brazos” kicked off at 8 a.m. on Monday, July 27. When the smoked cleared, the judges had to make some very difficult decisions to determine our champions.

•

Grand Champions: Protein Fiends - Charles Prause and friends from Bosqueville, Area 8 (pictured above)

•

Reserve Champions: Three C’s Cookers - Tammy and Danny Christian and friends from Penelope, Area 8 (pictured above)

• • • • • •

Best Sirloin - Area 7 Meats Mafia - Tim Tatsch, Melissa Loerwald and friends Best Ribs - 3 C’s Cookers Best Chicken - Hoggy Style - Trevor Williams, Timberly Mercer and friends, Area 1 Best Appetizer - Killah Grillahs Best Drink - Protein Fiends Showmanship - Area 7 Meats Mafia - Tim Tatsch, Melissa Loerwald and friends

RiverStar Farms wants to thank all of the participants, sponsors, staff members, volunteers, and the Extraco Event Center and staff. We were able to generate just over $5,000 for the scholarship fund with the cook-off. We had a great time and look forward to next years “Battle by the Bay”. Be watching for entry details soon.

Scholarship Fundraiser Drawing The 2015 VATAT Scholarship Fundraiser Drawing was a near sell out this year. We only had a couple of hundred tickets left by the time we drew the winnners. Here are the 10 lucky winnners and the Grand Prize and WW-Paul Scale winners: • Ward Wilbanks, Athens - Grand Prize • Matt Byrd, Sabine - WW-Paul Scales • Abby Bradbury, Grand Prairie • Jason Holland, Leander • Mac McSwain, Tulsa Welding School • Domingo Garcia Jr., Skidmore-Tynan • Cliff Mulamax, McCoys • Kelly Maas, Klein Collins • Bonnie Beard, Dulles • Don Harris - Ingram We hope you all have a great year and can’t wait to see you this fall!

VATAT News

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VATAT News

UPDATE 87th Texas FFA Convention Rewind with Q&A Tom Maynard, Texas FFA Executive Director The 87th Texas FFA Convention is history. Texas FFA sent a survey following the 87th Convention, and we have compiled data from that instrument and noted your comments. Here are a few things that you told us: Why do you come to convention? Top five responses: 1) Elect new officers (4.33) 2) Recognize award, degree and scholarship recipients (4.23) 3) Conduct business (4.10) 4) Hear inspiring speakers (4.05) 5) Enjoy entertainment features (3.42). When asked to rate different aspects of the convention on a scale of one to five, the “Honoring our Heroes” feature and Governor Abbott’s address to the convention received the highest marks, followed by keynote speaker Melvin Adams and the commemoration of the FFA-NFA merger with A.D. Pinson. The new officer selection process received mixed reviews, especially as it related to having 20 candidates in the Wednesday afternoon session. It was perceived as too much at once and the fact that the delegate were only voting on two of the 20 created issues with delegate engagement throughout that round of voting. A permanent committee of the board of directors will continue to study the matter and work on solutions. We received interesting feedback on the commercial exhibits. A couple of you perceived that the trade show numbers were down a bit, when actually, this was the largest show that Texas FFA has ever had! We will certainly study layout and traffic patterns to ascertain the origin of that perception. Generally, the areas that received low marks were not a big surprise to us, and reveal a common perception among the profession. Our goal will be to move the needle in this areas and see measurable improvement, as quantified by next year’s survey.

Lonestar Degree Ceremony The Lonestar Degree Session received a great deal of feedback. Some suggested that we spread out 8

the awarding of the degrees throughout the convention, so members would not receive their degree in front of an empty arena at the end. Others advocated for a Tuesday afternoon ceremony. Many years ago, we did spread out the awarding of the Lone Star Degree, and whenever it came up on the program, the arena emptied. The net effect was the same. The ceremony falls where it does because of the constitutional requirement that the delegates approve the candidates. “The State FFA Degree will be conferred upon the candidate subject to approval by the delegates at the state convention.” Article VI, Section E, Texas FFA Constitution. Awarding the degrees at one time allows for a ceremony and for the degree to occupy an elevated position in the convention. Some states do not award the state degree on the main stage, but rather in regional meetings. I believe that Texas teachers want to continue to value the attainment of the degree with a mainstage presentation. We also have been intentional about placing recognition of the star finalists and winners in the front portion of that session to ensure a full arena when we acknowledge and reward the achievements of some of our brightest FFA members. Can we do more to facilitate the process while ensuring a member’s moment in the spotlight? We will consider re-structuring to allow for a much earlier start to the session and will continue to study the mechanics of the ceremony itself.

Business Session The business session continues to be a topic of discussion and rightly so. Are the state officers prepared? The state officers have a daunting challenge to prepare for and lead a convention, which includes writing and memorizing a two-and-a-half hour session

Continue on page 9

VATAT News along with managing a potentially contentious business session with more than 2,000 student delegates. There is a body of evidence which suggests that, for many of these delegates, this is their first participation in a convention business session (which should not be the case if parallel business sessions are held in districts and areas). In terms of parliamentary law, some officers are more prepared than are others. We rely on the training that they should have received as an agricultural education students and local officers, and some officers come with a full command of parliamentary skills, and others, not as much. The presiding officer spends hours over several weeks prepping with three different parliamentarians, works with a business session coordinator and has the session laid out ahead of time. What are the concerns over the past few years? (Set aside the issues concerning the misstatement that was perceived as kicking teachers and members out and the door prizes. Those are simple fixes.) One issue might be a matter of expectations. Anyone who expects the business session be as neat and orderly as a chapter conducting contest presentation, which is held in a sterile, controlled environment, has not been in a delegate business session anywhere else, and certainly not one with 2,000 delegates. Democracy is, by its very nature, messy. Some of the messiness is just inherent to the process. It became apparent that some of the principles laid out in Robert’s Rules and reflected in the standing rules of the convention are not always understood by those in attendance. Procedures of a convention business session frequently fall outside the scope of Gray’s Parliamentary Guide, which defers Robert’s Rules for such matters. For example, we heard some consternation about the presiding officer asking for discussion in favor of a motion. The perception was that she was not being fair and impartial. However, this was clearly in compliance with the standing rule that stated that discussion would alternate between viewpoints, and the standing rule was simply a reiteration of Roberts. To make the business session a valuable learning experience for the students, we must have knowledgeable, engaged teachers who are studying ahead of time and asking questions to clarify what is being proposed and presented. We welcome these inquiries and strive to operate with a high level of transparency. That doesn’t mean that we won’t continually find ways to make the process better. The new parliamentary guide, which drives us much closer to Roberts will help. Electronic voting via smart phones could be an alternative to address the long drawn-out

process of taking standing votes. We can make the schedule tighter and cleaner yet, and the staff is committed to this end. The board of directors has made a couple of attempts to make the business session manageable and to create a leadership development experience through a student delegate process, that mirrors practices which students will encounter in their futures. This should be an ongoing discussion which should occur throughout the grassroots.

Other Concerns We received a concern about a $12 lunch. Keep in mind that lunch is $10 until the registration cuts off on Friday. Teachers received several notifications of this. The idea is to provide an incentive for early purchase so the provider can buy enough food. The $10 ticket covers the provider’s cost of operation, and also what it takes for Texas FFA to turn rooms over for the lunch event and to provide tables and chairs. Additionally, in order to do the onsite meals, Texas FFA has to buy out the concession contract. There was plenty of feedback about having more time between sessions. We are working on it for you. Also there is a recurring issue about sound quality in Corpus Christi. Something in the design of the arena creates dead spots in the balconies, and our production crew has sought to mitigate this issue with additional equipment. The speaking events that are held alongside convention created some concern in terms of having the events spread out across several venues on Monday. This created a significant hardship for single-teacher programs with multiple contestants. This should not be an issue in Dallas, and we are considering moving the Monday events to a nearby university campus when the convention returns to Corpus Christi in 2017. We are also reviewing our signage plans. We recently changed decorators and the man who handled this since 1958 passed away earlier in year. I think that you will see an improvement in 2016. Several of you requested maps in the convention program--especially area delegation seating maps. Given the schedule of our production team, it might be a stretch to get that accomplished before our program publication deadline, but we will work toward that. Of course, we heard lots of concerns about the city and venue itself. We are committed to be back in Corpus Christi for 2017, and don’t have any options for an alternative. We will do our best to make it work with the current space and layout.

VATAT News

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VATAT News

UPDATE Developing Opportunities Aaron Alejandro, Texas FFA Foundation Executive Director Have you ever walked into a dark room? First thing we do is look for the light switch … there it is … and there’s light. Okay, all must be good. What happens if the light doesn’t come on? Time to complain? What’s the number to the electric company or electrician? How do we get this fixed? Lights coming on are a lot like opportunities cultivated and provided by the Texas FFA Foundation and Texas Team Ag Ed. As long as they are there, everything is fine, but if they’re not …. well. Much like the annual Texas FFA Convention and the VATAT Conference - we show up and the lights come on. We have a convention or a conference and its all good. What would happen if “the lights didn’t come on?” Simply put, they don’t just happen. It takes months of planning and cultivation … it takes development. The primary goal of the Texas FFA Foundation is development. Developing the resources, professional networks, contacts and sponsors so Texas FFA members and teachers can connect with opportunities. They don’t just happen, they have to be cultivated. Many do not quite understand the difference between “fundraising” and “development.” Fundraising - the focus is on solicitation. An organization with a specific and short-term financial goal asks for a one-time, usually modest gift from a donor, usually for a specific cause or project. Development - the building, over time, of a continuous, powerful and life-long connection between

a donor / philanthropist and the organization or cause we represent. The process includes extended cultivation, thorough education, and attentive stewardship -- as well as appropriate solicitation i.e. fundraising. The Texas FFA Foundation is trying to tackle both “fundraising” and “development” at the same time. Here’s the bottom line – the results of our efforts are opportunities for Texas FFA members and our teachers. Without the support of the Texas FFA Foundation at the annual Texas FFA convention, registration fees would increase by approximately 30%. Without support from the Texas FFA Foundation the VATAT Professional Development Conference, participants could see an increase of approximately 20% just to maintain levels of service and operations. What all do Texas FFA members and teachers benefit from the efforts of the Texas FFA Foundation? What all program or opportunities do they support? The answer is all of the programs listed below. So, the next time you’re looking around for an opportunity for your students or a chance to recharge your teacher batteries through an incredible leadership experience, think about the “light switch” – the lights are on and opportunities are available. Your Texas FFA Foundation is honored to work in providing opportunities for Texas FFA members and our teachers who inspire them to greatness.

The Texas FFA Foundation Supports:

Texas FFA Scholarships, Texas FFA Convention and VATAT Conference In addition, the Texas FFA Foundation supports the following special projects and initiatives: Texas FFA Network

TEXAS NEEDS THE FFA PROJECT

Texas FFA Digital Footprint Review

VATAT News

“Helping Today’s Blue Jackets Become Tomorrow’s Ag Leaders” $100,000 Corporate Sponsorship

$10,000 VATAT Sponsorship

$5,000 + Ag Ed Scholarships www.seitzfundraising.com

VATAT News

UPDATE 2015 Regional Development Conference Kelly White, Texas FFA Alumni President We have heard the calls loud and clear and are very excited to bring professional, personal and FFA Alumni development directly to our members at a regional level. Knowing that not everyone can attend our annual national events, we’re hitting the road to engage and strengthen relationships between individual members, local FFA Alumni leaders, State FFA Alumni leaders, agricultural educators and others involved with agricultural education.

Event Info September 12, 2015 Hilton Garden Inn DFW Airport South 2001 Valley View Lane Irving, TX 75061

Registration Info • Registraton Fee - FREE • Register online at https://register.ffa.org/profile/ form/index.cfm?PKformID=0x44708cdca • Registration closes August 30, 2015 • For hotel reservations contact: Hilton Garden Inn DFW Airport South 972-313-2800

members are highly encouraged to bring their local Agricultural Educator along to help build or strengthen the working and social relationship so they can go back home and continue develop premiere leadership, personal growth, and career success of agricultural education students, FFA members and FFA Alumni members. NOTE: Your registration is not complete until you have successfully completed the entire process online and received a printable confirmation page and an email confirmation.

Fresh Country Supports the VATAT with a Annual Donation!

This Conference Will Allow For • Networking and socializing with fellow FFA Alumni • Identifying the roles of the advisor and the alumni in order to build a successful relationship • Idea sharing and collecting feedback to address obstacles • Learning and training in areas of advocacy, leadership, affiliate business operations • Finding and using available resources Workshops will provide excellent opportunities for both the novice and the expert alumni member. Alumni

www.FreshCountry.com 13

VATAT News

UPDATE Notes From the Executive Secretary Don Beene, Texas Young Farmers Executive Secretary I would like to thank everyone for visiting our booth during the Texas FFA Convention and the VATAT Conference. I had a lot of fun at both, but passing out Starburst at the convention was the highlight. As students would walk by we would ask them to sign up for our $100 give-a-way. Some would continue walking, but most would turn around when we told them they would receive a package of Starburst when they entered. Kacelyn Jarrell, of the Madisonville FFA, was named the winner of the $100 at convention. M&M Mars of Waco generously furnished the candy and I will be sending a picture of some students with the Starburst to them as a thank you. We gave away two coolers at the VATAT Conference to Joey Perez of Kerens and Christal Odom of Orangefield. There appeared to be a lot of interest in starting new young farmer chapters at the conference. Before the conference LaPorte was working on chartering a chapter, and since then Diboll is working on restarting their chapter. There appears to be a lot of misunderstanding about the Young Farmers Association. All members do not have to have a child in an agriculture class and you may support 4H if that is the desire of your chapter. Your primary goal is to support the youth in your community and gain support from the local citizens. The Young Farmers program is much like the Lions, Rotary or Kiwanis. Your chapter is considered a community organization that keeps your members informed and aids the community. At these other organizations you have a program of various topics and at Texas Young Farmers we want you to do the same, except we encourage your programs to be about agriculture. Even if you have a booster club, I would hope that you have a program and inform your community about agriculture in your community. The board for the Texas Young Farmers met Saturday, August 8, 2015 in Bryan, Texas to discuss the 2016 State Convention. The event is to be held 14

at the Premier Best Western Hotel in Bryan, Texas January 7-10, 2016. We will begin with an ice breaker Thursday evening at the hotel and tours will begin on Friday morning. We are working to schedule tours of the Texas A&M Horticulture facility and new Equestrian Center. Additional tours will be finalized in October. I would like to bring to your attention to the annual awards we present each year. There were a few changes regarding the rules. The scrapbook has been modified to where it may be submitted in hard copy or digital. Participation in workshops, the basket contest and the Ag Olympics will be added to the list for the winning chapter. Also, a major change was made in the Sweepstakes Award. You can find more information regarding the applications and rules at www.txyoungfarmers.org. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget that we also have the essay and photo contest. The board decided to do away with the Farm Business Management contest and replace it with the Texas Young Farmer Convention quiz. This really excites me, and I believe we should have more participation this year. This event will also be included in determining the Sweepstakes chapter.

STAY CONNECTED WITH THE

TEXAS YOUNG FARMERS TXYOUNGFARMERS.ORG

VATAT News

Texas Young Farmers at the Texas FFA Convention & VATAT Conference

Texas FFA members at the 2015 Convention showing off the Starburst they received for entering to win our $100 give-a-way. M&M Mars of Waco generously furnished the candy.

Kacelyn Jarrell, of the Madisonville FFA, was named the winner of the $100 give-a-way at the Texas FFA Convention.

Joey Perez of Kerens was named the winner of one of the two coolers we gave away at the VATAT Conference in Waco.

Christal Odom of Orangefield received the second cooler we gave away at the VATAT Conference in Waco. 15

VATAT News

VATAT

614 East 12th Street Austin, Texas 78701

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Upcoming Events September

October

1st Swine Validation Begins 10th West Texas Fair & Rodeo 14th Texas FFA Board of Directors Meeting

November

6th State Fair of Texas Agriculture Awareness Day

2nd FFA Dues Deadline 9th Late Priority Swine Tag Order Deadline

8th Heart of Texas Fair 15th Prairie View A&M Invitational LDE Contest

25th State Fair of Texas

30th Last Day to Validate Swine

24th Aggiefest Contest 28th National FFA Convention

YOUR PARTNERS IN PRINT HIGH QUALITY SALES CATALOGS Call Don Denny Today!

Office 806.794.7752 | Cell 806.789.7712 slategroup.com

Contact www.vatat.org

(512) 472-3128

vatat@vatat.org

Officers Ray Pieniazek, President

Shane Crafton, Vice President

Michael Meadows, Secretary/Treasurer

Staff Barney McClure, Executive Director

Ashley Dunkerley, Communications

Karen Jones, Membership Services