NEWS A Texas Team Ag Ed Publication
June 2017
Spotlight on Agriculture Education Shane Crafton, Henrietta
I hope June 1st finds you closing out another successful year of agriculture education! Career development events are over, banquets have come and gone, and the next big tasks on the horizon are state degree check and the FFA convention in Corpus Christi. It has been a busy year, but it seems the more years I teach, the faster they seem to fly by. My best advice for this month is to make sure you plan some down time this summer for yourself and your family to rest and recuperate to prepare for another year. I realize this is a hard thing to do, but make an extra effort to be away from the job and spend time with your families; they need and deserve that time together. Don’t wait and look back and realize you should have made time for them. This month I would like to focus on those who helped make our careers as agriculture teachers possible. In my life, I have had a couple of people who went above and beyond to ensure that I had every opportunity to be involved in agriculture from the time I was very young. Believe it or not, I was a big city boy until I was in the third grade. We lived right near downtown Ft. Worth, Texas, until I turned eight at
which point my dad moved us to the country to live near my grandparents. My dad was one of the hardest working men I have ever known. He moved us to May, Texas, to get us out of the city and where we could be raised in a small town and small school system. Who knows where I would be today if not for that decision? My dad sacrificed 40 years of his life driving to Ft. Worth on Monday morning at 4:30 a.m. to be at work by 7:00 a.m., lived in town all week, and then would drive home on Friday night in time to watch whatever sporting event I was involved in. He was an electrician who loved agriculture but knew he needed to keep another job for our family to have what it needed. Dad planted the seeds of stewardship and hard work in me at an early age and continued to foster my love of agriculture right up to putting me through Tarleton State University to earn an agriculture services and development degree. From an early age, there was never any question that I would be involved in agriculture in some form throughout my life because of the example and role model that I had in my dad. We as agriculture teachers, whether we choose to be or
not, are that same example and role model for our students each day. Always remember you are being watched by your students. Make sure your actions promote stewardship and a love of agriculture to help foster that same love for future generations. Think about this; one of us has the agriculture leadership of our towns, states, country and world in our classes right now. Don’t drop the ball; advocate for agriculture in class every day. I know I would not be where I am today if not for a huge agriculture advocate in my life. Thanks again, Dad, for shining a bright spotlight on me to foster that same love of agriculture that you had.
VATAT News
The Three Party System in Texas Politics
Barney McClure, VATAT Executive Director I am writing this in the waning days of the regular session of the 85th Texas Legislature. I have no idea what the final result of the session will be, or if we will see one or more special sessions. It is almost assured we will have no meaningful education reform and the best we can hope for is some funding added for student growth. This session has seen more votes taken along partisan lines than any other I have observed. Collaboration between Republicans and Democrats has been rare. Stalemates on important issues have become the order of the day, much like we see in Washington. The Senate and the House can’t really seem to agree on anything. Adding spice to the stew this session has been infighting within the Republican Party. The far right of the party, at times called the tea party or freedom caucus, has disagreed with the rest of their own group. The most prominent of the
group is Lt. Governor Dan Patrick. The leader of the Senate is an avowed “school choice” champion who favors vouchers. The Senate has refused to use the rainy day fund to fund public education or anything else. Almost all of the men and women who serve in public office do so for the right reasons. Some of them are willing to “scorch the earth” to further causes they or their supporters desire. In the next election cycle, please closely examine the beliefs of the candidates. The Texas in which you live will eventually reflect the values of those who are elected.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE VATAT................................................................1 - 5 Texas FFA...........................................................6 - 7 Foundation.......................................................8 - 9 Texas FFA Alumni.................................................10 Young Farmers.............................................14 - 15
Registration now open visit VATAT.org don’t forget to check your tenure When registering 2
VATAT News
VATAT ,
WALK OR CRAWL REGISTRATION LINK FOUND AT
VATAT.ORG
MONDAY JULY 24, 2017
7AM
RICHARD GREENE LINEAR PARK
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2017
battle at the ballpark bbq cook-off PRESENTED BY RIVERSTAR FARMS
JULY 24, 2017 PIONEER ELKS LODGE 601 W. PIONEER ARLINGTON, TX
7AM MOVE IN – 10 AM COOKS MEETING – 2 PM FIRST TURN IN CATEGORIES: BEEF TRI-TIP, PORK SPARE RIBS, WHOLE CHICKEN, OPEN APPETIZER, OPEN DRINK, AND CAMPSITE. COMPETITION MEATS ARE PROVIDED
$100 ENTRY PER TEAM TEAMS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR WATER, GENERATED POWER, APPETIZER AND DRINK INGREDIENTS AWARDS FOR 1ST PLACE IN EACH CATEGORY PLUS GRAND AND RESERVE CHAMPION (FOUR AWARDS FOR EACH WINNING TEAM)
TEAM NAME: MEMBERS:
PLEASE INCLUDE HOMETOWN OF EACH TEAM MEMBER
CONTACT INFO NAME AND PHONE NUMBER
: ENTRY DEADLINE: JULY 1
CALL BRIAN AT 1-800-662-8808 FOR DETAILS OR QUESTIONS
ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE VATAT SCHOLARSHIP FUND.
Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas 4
VATAT News
VATAT CREDIT UNION “Serving Members Since 1961” Welcome Summertime! We wanted to share some important and exciting things happening with your credit union. We look forward to meeting potential new members at conference this year in Arlington and hope to reach out to current teachers as well! We are here because of you and would appreciate the opportunity to help with any loan needs or questions you might have. Please feel free to contact us anytime.
2017 Board Director Position Announcement: We would like to announce that we will have four (4) Director positions up for election at our 2017 annual meeting in Arlington. We have three (3) incumbents willing to continue to serve for another 2 year term. Any member interested in submitting his/her petition for one of the four (4) positions should contact our nominating committee no later than July 14, 2017. The nominating committee members are: Steve Forsythe 512-734-0914 and Joseph Lemmons 281-250-2147.
Access to Credit Union Documents: In accordance to Section 91:315, this notice is to advise you, as a VATAT Credit Union member, you have the ability to request certain documents relating to the credit union’s finances & management. These documents are: the balance sheet & income statement, a summary of the most recent annual audit, written board policy regarding access to articles of incorporation, bylaws, guidelines, board policies, and the IRS form 990. Any requests for these documents should be made to management at our main office with advance notice.
Complaint Notice: If you have a problem with the services provided by this credit union, please contact us at: VATAT Credit Union, 614 E 12th St., Austin, TX 78701; (512) 472-3258 or (800) 777-1825. The credit union is incorporated under the laws of the State of TX and under state law is subject to regulatory oversight by the Texas Credit Union Department. If any dispute is not resolved to your satisfaction, you may also file a complaint against the credit union by contacting the Texas Credit Union Department at 914 E. Anderson Ln, Austin, TX 78752-1699; (512) 837-9236 or online www.cud.texas.gov.
DORMANT ACCOUNTS We are required by Texas law to turn over any accounts that have not had any activity on them in 3 years. Please contact the credit union today if you have an account so we can set up ACH or possible loans for you!
MOVING SOON? Send us your new info so we can update your account!
ONLINE BANKING Access your account anytime with our NEW online banking. Go to our website www.vatatcu.org and create a login. Then you will be able to view your balances, account history and payment information.
VATAT CREDIT UNION * 614 E. 12TH ST. AUSTIN, TX 78701 (512)472-3258 * INFO@VATATCU.ORG See You in July, Rosario Rodriguez & Meredith Hartmann
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UPDATE Conventon Updates Texas FFA Association
Scholarship Interview Schedule The Texas FFA Scholarship Interview Schedule has been posted on the Texas FFA Scholarship webpage. All candidates moving forward in the selection process were sent an email. Emails were not sent to candidates who did not advance. Please check the scholarship webpage for your candidates scheduled interview time. If you have any questions, please contact Tricia at tricia@texasffa.org.
Courtesy Corps The 2017 Texas FFA Courtesy Corps list has been posted on the convention webpage. Official convention letters will be posted in the ‘Notification’ section of the convention webpage mid-June, so please be expecting more detailed information a little closer to convention. We want to thank all the FFA members ahead of time who will be assisting with convention to ensure we have a successful week in Corpus!
Convention Housing Due to the convention housing cancellation deadline last week, a number of rooms at desirable hotels have been released. Please visit the convention housing website to make your reservation. If you have already booked outside the block, we encourage you to take this opportunity to secure rooms within the block to receive your registration discount.
AFNR Quiz Bowl Invitational In the summer of 2016, the Texas FFA Board of Directors set out to open a new contest that will engage active members at the at the 8th or 9th grade levels who recently completed the Principles of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources course. The First Annual AFNR Quiz Bowl will launch this July at convention in Corpus Christi! More information about the event visit TexasFFA.org.
Record Book/Degree Check At the 2nd Quarter Board of Directors Meeting, the board approved the following changes that the SAE Task Force recommended to the Policy Handbook Section 26: 6
Selection Procedures for Degree Candidates, Students, and Chapter Awards: • Limiting the number of hours that can be designated as “exploratory” for members seeking a degree above the chapter level to a maximum of 45 hours during the Greenhand year (to be implemented 2017-2018 school year). • Requirement of record books to accompany any award applications at the state degree check (to be implemented immediately); • Oversight by the Awards Committee chair and American Degree check committee chair for any American Degree applications that are questioned by National FFA regarding the validity of information within the application (to be implemented immediately). • Amendment to policy 26.4 (e) to allow SAEs to be tied to AFNR content standards, not just the TEKS. This will allow for a broader placement SAE opportunities for students. Policy Handbook Section 26: Selection Procedures for Degree Candidates, Students, and Chapter Awards can be viewed at TexasFFA.org. The newly revised degree checklists will be generated upon printing the degree application. For your convenience, the 2017 Texas Lone Star Degree Manual Checklist can be found on the Degree Check webpage under the “Documents” section on the Texas FFA website. As other manual checklists become available, they will be posted on this page.
VATAT News
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STAYING CONNECTED TO 89-YEARS OF SUCCESS… WE’VE GOT AN APP FOR THAT!
THE NEW MY TEXAS FFA MOBILE APP Get immediate access to the latest information about Texas FFA Watch live streaming video events Get exclusive offers and discounts for My Texas FFA App insiders Easily stay connected and share the Texas FFA story online VISIT MYTEXASFFA.ORG TO DOWNLOAD IT TODAY 8
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THERE CAN’T BE A GAME WON WITHOUT A GAME PLAN See what Texas FFA students have to say at mytexasffa.org
HELP TELL OUR INCREDIBLE TEXAS FFA STORY IN AN INCREDIBLE WAY! FFA THE NEW MY TEXAS
MOBILE APP
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VATAT News
UPDATE Texas FFA Alumni News Kelly White, Texas FFA Alumni President I am writing this article with only a week left in the 2016-2017 school year remaining. I searched for serious quotes, funny quotes, and motivational quotes. I found several on the topic of graduation. There was Dr. Seuss’ “Oh, the Places You’ll Go.” I never realized that Winnie the Pooh was such a great orator and shared many of his words of wisdom with Piglet. I found quotes from the late Robin Williams in the movie “Dead Poet’s Society.” Quotes such as “No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world.” Or “Sucking the marrow out of life doesn’t mean choking on the bone.” Or the touching moment when his students stand on the tables and address him “O Captain, My Captain.” Enough of the quotes… I am sure that you have your favorite quote that you share with your students. This article will be short and to the point. If you have not heard yet, The Texas FFA Alumni holds its annual meeting and auction every year during the State FFA Convention. The auction is the Alumni’s primary source of funding for the awards, grants, & scholarships that we bestow to worthy candidates. The auction traditionally has several items that are useful to our industry. Thanks to McCoy’s we have had a squeeze chute, panels, t-post, and other miscellaneous items. McCoy’s is also working on another fun Dollar Donation Raffle again this year. LaQuinta has donated night stays nationwide. Several of our fundraising vendors graciously donate items such as boots, camping equipment, and other things. We have had items that you can purchase for your spouse to show her/him that you missed them the week of convention (these can also be purchased to give at a later date to get out of the doghouse). The Alumni auction is for you. A big shout out to the Texas FFA Alumni Council for making the past few years auction successful. We are always looking for auction items. So if you would like to contribute to the auction or no of someone that would like to contribute, please feel free to contact me in order to secure it in the auction line-up. 10
Texas FFA Alumni Chapter Basket Contest Tuesday, July 11th
You are invited to fill a basket and enter your FFA alumni chapter in the Texas FFA Alumni Chapter Basket Contest. Each alumni chapter may enter one basket. It may have homemade jellies, items made by local companies, homemade items, items from the local ag department, caps, etc. Baskets should be delivered to the FFA Alumni booth by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 11th. The baskets will be judged on a penny ($.01) per vote. The basket with the most votes will receive the rotating “Basket Winner” plaque. The baskets become the property of the Texas FFA Alumni Association and will be sold in the auction on Thursday evening.
Contest Rules • Baskets need to be delivered to the FFA Alumni booth by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday. • Contest ends on Wednesday when the exhibit hall closes and the votes will be counted that evening. • A list of the items included in the basket should be clearly labeled on the basket. • The basket can be of any creation. • No alcohol should be included in the basket.
The Texas FFA Alumni is always looking for testimonials regarding the hard work that your local affiliate does for your FFA Chapter. Contact Kelly White via the website to submit your testimonials.
VATAT News
Fresh Country Supports the
VATAT with a
Annual Donation!
www.FreshCountry.com 11
VATAT News
PROCLAMATION 2017
EMAT is Now Open! Now is the time to order! Talk to your CTE Director or IMA Coordinator about how to utilize IMA funds to secure instructional materials beginning Fall 2017 through 2026.
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TEKS-Aligned Agricultural Science Courses
Advanced Animal Science Advanced Energy & Natural Resource Technology Advanced Plan & Soil Science Agribusiness Management & Marketing Agricultural Equipment Design & Fabrication Agricultural Mechanics & Metal Technologies Agricultural Power Systems Agricultural Structures Design & Fabrication Energy & Natural Resource Technology Equine Science Floral Design Food Processing Food Technology & Safety Forestry & Woodland Ecosystems Horticultural Science Landscape Design & Management Livestock Production Practicum in Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources Principles of Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources Professional Communications Professional Standards in Agribusiness
Request a quote: www.icevonline.com/quote
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Range Ecology & Management Small Animal Management Wildlife, Fisheries & Ecology Management Veterinary Medical Applications
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UPDATE Notes From the Executive Secretary Don Beene, Texas Young Farmers Executive Secretary Another school year has come and gone, now the summer is upon us. Try to take some time, slow down, and enjoy your family. I encourage everyone to visit the Young Farmer booth at the Texas FFA Convention and the VATAT Conference. Please have your students come by, we will be giving away a $100 bill to a lucky FFA member. We will also be giving away a cooler, or two, at the VATAT Conference to a lucky ag teacher. In addition, I will have something for young farmer chapter advisors.
Why Young Farmers? Kenneth Brown, Texas Young Farmers Why should your program choose to become part of the Texas Young Farmers? We serve as a booster club for many FFA groups and provide adult education on agricultural issues.We consist of parents, educators, community leaders and business professionals. We come from all walks of life. Some are professional ranchers and farmers who
make their entire living from the ranch/farm. Some are hobby farmers who dabble in it for fun. Then there are those who have zero agricultural background. With this diversity comes a wealth of knowledge. Chapters frequently will reach out to each other, networking to find out what works. Just think of all the people you can rely on. Flip that around and think of how much you can help others. This could be your opportunity to share your knowledge. Have I mentioned the conventions? There are state and national conventions that members may participate in. Tours, education seminars, great food, fun games, contests, and great fellowship. We are headed to Kerrville this year and the board has set some great plans for everyone’s enjoyment. In closing, I’ve just touched on a few areas that may sway you into joining; there are many more. Please talk to Don Beene (Executive Secretary), Robert Bland (President) or any board member. I know we look forward to you joining what I consider a premium organization.
Thank You to Our Texas Young Farmers Sponsors
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CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR
2017 TEXAS YOUNG FARMERS SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Dylan Angel, son of David and Judy Angel. Dylan is graduating from Teague High School in the top ten percent of his class. He will attend Texas Tech University and obtain a degree in Agriculture and has plans to become a Cardiac Surgeon.
Dixon Baird, son of Mark and Karen Stiles. Mark is graduating from Cross Roads High School as Valedictorian. He will attend Texas A&M University and obtain a degree in Animal Science and has plans to become a Veterinarian.
Kyle Kirgan, son of Jim Jr. and Cindy Kirgan. Kyle is graduating from Fairfield High School in the top ten percent of his class. He will attend Texas A&M University and obtain a degree in Civil Engineering.
Cody McQueen, son of Keith and Shannon McQueen. Cody is graduating from Fairfield High School in the top ten percent of his class. He will attend Texas A&M University and obtain a degree in Agriculture Business.
Rachel White, daughter of Wade and Monett White. Rachel is graduating from Teague High School in the top ten percent of her class. She will attend Texas A&M University and obtain a degree in Biomedical Science and has plans to become an Anesthesiologist.
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VATAT News
VATAT
614 E. 12th Street Austin, Texas 78701
Upcoming Events June
July
August
1st State Public Speaking Entry Deadline
7th All Swine Validation Materials Deadline
3rd - 6th State Leadership Conference
10th - 14th Texas FFA Convention
7th - 9th State Degree Check
23rd - 28th VATAT Professional Development Conference
9th Texas FFA Board of Directors Meeting
1st Texas FFA Payment Deadline
19th AgriScience Fair Entry Deadline
Contact www.vatat.org
(512) 472-3128
vatat@vatat.org
Officers Shane Crafton, President
Michael Meadows, Vice President
Tammy Christian, Secretary/Treasurer
Staff Barney McClure, Executive Director
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Ashley Dunkerley, Communications
Karen Jones, Membership Services