October 2016 by Texas Ag Ed

NEWS A Texas Team Ag Ed Publication

October 2016

Spotlight on Agriculture Education Shane Crafton, Henrietta

At this point, if you are like me, you are still wondering where summer went because you are already knee deep in another fast moving year in the world of agriculture education. It is only October, and I find myself wondering why I am already so far behind that I feel like I will never catch up. The truth be told, none of us will catch up until the end of July rolls around and we start the whole thing over again. With all the tasks we have to do, how do ag teachers remain positive, energetic, and motivated to positively affect the students in their classrooms? I will be honestuntil about five years ago I never worried about it because I was still loving what I do, and it was easy to stay excited. I was chugging along teaching Wildlife and Ag Mechanics and was happy as I could be until I was approached by the principal and counselor with the idea that we change our program and begin to teach Horticulture and Floral Design in our ag program. At first glance I thought this was a great idea. My numbers would go down, and my day would be easier. Then they explained to me I was going teach those classes and lose a Wildlife and Ag Mechanics class. Hold on, I’ve been teaching this stuff for twenty years and now you want me to change? I remember going home that day and complaining to my wife that there was no way I should

have to be the one to change what I was doing. Change was not good for me; I was enjoying what I was teaching and wanted no part of it. Then I remembered something my grandfather told me a long time ago, “It isn’t all about you.” My grandfather was one of my biggest fans, but he could put me in my place better than anyone I had ever been around. He was exactly right. I was so caught up in how I was going to be affected by change that I forgot about the real reason I even had a job. The real reason I am here is the kids that come in our classrooms every day. Change is hard. Ben Franklin once said, “When you’re finished changing, you’re finished.” I know that now; the fact is, I have known that for a long time but had forgotten the real reason we are ag teachers--to provide education for the students of our schools in whatever area they and our local school boards feel are important and relevant. I still love to teach Ag Mechanics and Wildlife Science. However, I am teaching a different set of kids now with different goals, interests, and backgrounds from the kids I used to teach. We as ag teachers have to change our programs to meet the needs of a completely different generation of kids who learn differently, and let’s face it, have different interests from the kids of ten years ago. I’m not asking you to completely change every part of your program.

What I am asking you to do is have an open mind when you find yourself in my shoes and are asked to add some of these new areas to your field of expertise. Change is only as hard as the degree to which you fight it. You might even discover that you like it. Since I took up these new classes, my class day has changed. I go from Ag Mechanics first period to Floral Design, then Horticulture, Wildlife, and back to Floral Design to round out the day. I’ll bet there are not many of those combinations of classes for one teacher out there. However, I have found that I am getting kids in our program that are not traditional ag students and are not from traditional agriculture families. Continue on page 2

VATAT News

Spotlight on Agriculture Education Continued Change is part of all our lives; that is a fact of life. Whether or not you are successful in your life and program is all determined by how you meet those changes. Give those new classes a chance in your program. Who knows, you might find that they are just what you, and more importantly, your community is looking for. Horticulture class has turned into the best public relations program our agriculture department has ever had. Make sure you remember the spotlight is not shining on us all the time. Our job is to direct the beam in the direction of those students in our programs. It will shine just as bright no matter what agriculture class those students are interested in. May the decisions you make keep your students in the spotlight.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

VATAT................................................................1 - 2 Texas FFA..............................................................4 Foundation....................................................6 Texas FFA Alumni..........................................8 - 9 Young Farmers.............................................10 - 11

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. 2

The Winds of Change Come to Texas Team Ag Ed Barney McClure, VATAT Executive Director For the first time in more than sixteen years, the Texas FFA Board is searching for a new Executive Director for the Texas FFA Association. I serve on this board and also on the H.R. Committee. By the time you read this, there will be a job posting concerning this position. Tom Maynard has served the Texas FFA Association with the passion born of a deep love of the organization that began at Cal Farley’s Boy’s Ranch in the Texas panhandle. He has presided over an organization that has experienced rapid growth and increasing complexity. Dealing with more than 115,000 FFA members and 2,000 teachers is more than a fulltime job. I wish the best for Tom, both personally and professionally, as he transitions to the next phase of his life. I believe there are numerous individuals reading this that would make an excellent leader of the Texas FFA. I hope we have a large number of applicants to choose from. Agricultural education is billed as a leadership training organization. If you believe that, ask yourself if you are willing to act on that theory. If not you, who will step up to the plate to fill the job? The decision on who will be the next leader of the Texas FFA will be difficult and far-reaching. The course of our student leadership organization could be set for the next decade by the decision made by the Texas FFA Board. We need your prayers and guidance as we make the most important decision concerning the Texas FFA in the last 16 years.

HAVE YOU MOVED? TRANSFERRED SCHOOLS? DON’T FORGET TO UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION AT

WWW. VATAT. ORG

VATAT News

Name: _________________________________________ Phone Number: _________________________________ Address: _______________________________________ Send Order Form and Payment To: VATAT Attn: Buckle 614 East 12th Street Austin, Texas 78701

$75

Net proceeds go towards the VATAT Scholarship Fund

Building a Burger World CATERING HOTLINE 888-383-3246 cafeventure.com

Any Food Any Time Any Place Banquets

Meetings

Lubbock • Midland Odessa • Amarillo Waco • Killeen Corpus Christi Tulsa • Farmington Albuquerque

Drop-offs 3

VATAT News

UPDATE Executive Director Announces Retirement

Texas FFA Association

Texas FFA Association executive director, Tom Maynard, announced Monday his plans to retire from his position, effective January 9, 2017. For more than 16 years, Maynard has served the Texas Agricultural Education community and the association’s members and stakeholders, establishing models that enabled the association to double its membership from a little more than 56,000 members in 2000 to nearly 116,000 at year’s end in 2015-16. The membership gains recorded by the association are national records for any state FFA association. The 88-year-old association is a leadership and career development student organization which operates as an integral part of the state’s career and technical education instructional program in agriculture, food and natural resources and has local chapters on 1,040 Texas campuses. Maynard masterminded efforts to develop the association’s policy and procedures and administrative and board structures. The organization operated as an extension of the Texas Education Agency for most of its history until 1998. He is also credited with stabilizing the association’s financial status, ushering its programs into the digital age by modernizing its communication and delivery processes and significantly expanding student leadership development, recognition and scholarship opportunities. In a letter addressed to association board members, Maynard explained he is retiring from his position to pursue new interests, including greater engagement in public service, an enterprise that is a direct result of the Texas FFA “living to serve” culture and the knowledge and skills that he’s developed since first becoming a member of FFA at Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch in 1978. Maynard has served as a member of the State Board of Education since 2013. “It has been a rare honor to serve one of the state’s most storied and iconic organizations. Who would have thought that a kid from Boys Ranch could ever have had such an opportunity?” Maynard wrote in his prepared statement. “There is something magical about giving a youngster a skill, because when he or she realizes that they can do something, they know that they can achieve many other things as well. That is the legacy of the “learning to do” model that so richly blessed me,” says Maynard. Maynard grew up at Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch, near Amarillo and attributes much of his professional 4

achievements to the instruction and mentorship he received as an FFA member in that child care institution. Maynard served as a state FFA officer and had a successful 13-year career as a local agriculture instructor and FFA advisor before taking the helm of the state association in 2000. “Those of us who do this work stand on the shoulders of those who came before us. It is my sincere hope that I have done enough to build a legacy wide and strong enough for others who come after us to stand upon and to build upon, to continue to move this association forward to greater heights,” Maynard says. Maynard has also made his mark on the national level. He was part of the national task force that created the program affiliation model that allows a local chapter to affiliate as a member program, making all students members and eligible for participation, much in the same way that schools affiliate with the University Interscholastic League, as an avenue to remove barriers to participation by disadvantaged students. He was also part of the team that created the current national student delegate process and currently serves as president of the National Association of Supervisors of Agricultural Education, the national organization which represents those who provide state-level agricultural education leadership. “Tom’s legacy and historic time with the Texas FFA will not be judged by the time of his service, but rather by the countless lives empowered by his passion, leadership and unwavering desire to serve others – he has represented the spirit of the ‘blue and gold,’” says Aaron Alejandro, Executive Director of Texas FFA Foundation, referencing the organization’s trademark blue and gold corduroy jackets. Texas FFA Association board chairman, Jack Winterrowd, says Maynard is the longest serving Texas FFA executive and his service is greatly appreciated by the organization’s members, agricultural educators, the Texas FFA Foundation, Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas (VATAT) members, and the Texas FFA sponsors, supporters and alumni. VATAT Executive Director, Barney McClure states, “It has been an honor to work with Tom Maynard, first as a fellow teacher, then as his colleague. His passion for agricultural education and the FFA has been evident in his work. I wish him the best in his future endeavors. He will be missed.” The board will immediately begin a search for Maynard’s successor.

VATAT News

FFA SUPPORTERS ENJOY AN EXTRA 15% SAVINGS La Quinta Inns & Suites is the official hotel chain for Texas FFA Association and Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas! TM

Save 15% at over 860 locations across the U.S., Mexico and Canada for Texas FFA members, families, friends and supporters. • Free Bright Side Breakfast® • Free high-speed Internet • Comfy Pillowtop Bed • Swimming Pools & Fitness Centers at most locations • Ample Parking for trucks and trailers

“WHAT DID YOU EXPECT, LA QUINTA?”

Book now at LQ.com/FFA or call 800-SLEEPLQ (753-3757) and ask for Promo Code: FFA. *15% discount is available at participating La Quinta hotels nationwide for FFA Members, their families and supporters. Offer subject to availability, advance reservations required, tax extra. This offer cannot be combined with any other discount or offer, not valid during special events or blackout dates.

LQ_TXFFA NewsletterAd-sash.indd 1

PROUD SUPPORTER OF THE TEXAS FFA

5/1/15 3:18 PM

Think Big, Print Big • 806.794.7752 • slategroup.com

VATAT News

UPDATE Proud of It! Aaron Alejandro, Texas FFA Foundation Executive Director What are we? What are they saying? When we think of the FFA, is it cows, plows and sows or is it beakers, speakers and job seekers? Are we part of the general public’s dialog? Are we STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) or should we be promoting STEAM (science, technology, engineering, agriculture and mathematics)? Are we the “agriculture industry” or are we “farmers and ranchers?” Does it make a difference? Spend a little time on the internet, do a little surfing and you’ll find we have a lot to be proud of – we just need a larger constituency to understand.

practices,” innovations and technology tools in telling our story. We need to meet the elementary students on their turf - in their school. We need to have a strong social media presence – “telling our story” through user generated content (UGC) … content like that on the MYTEXASFFA.ORG website and MYTEXASFFA App.

“I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds - achievements won by the present and past generations of agriculturists; in the promise of better days through better ways, even as the better things we now enjoy have come to us from the struggles of former years.”

I’m proud of our Texas farmers, ranchers, FFA members, teachers, parents and stakeholders. Being proud is not enough … we need ACTION! We need to stand tall on the shoulders of those who went before. We need to speak loud and share our collective voices for the Texas FFA today. We need to plant seeds of greatness in those who will follow in our footsteps … if you’re proud of the Texas FFA … what are you doing to show it?

Do a little social listening. Social listening is the process of monitoring digital media channels to devise a strategy to better influence consumers. Do audiences identify with “agriculture” or do they feel better about “farming” and “ranching.” Let’s see what happens when we Google those terms. • “Negative effects of Farming” – 57,800,000 • “Negative effects of Agriculture” – 155,000,000

Fourth Grade Challenge “If agriculture has taught me one thing...if you want to know what the future is…grow it.” If we want to have agricultural classes full of students, we need to start cultivating them NOW. If we want to change the public’s perception of our program, agriculture, farming or ranching, we have to start cultivating and planting what ideas, concepts and students we want to grow. Start with the fourth graders. Fourth graders represent the first generation which will have grown up in a totally “mobile” society. From cell phones, computers and tablets, we have to be creative while competing for the minds of fourth graders …who better to share this message than Texas FFA members. We challenge you to take your officers, a vet tech class, wildlife class, floral design class or welding class into the mainstream elementary school and show them how “cool” it is to be a FFA member. We can change our image, what people understand, how they view us if we take the initiative to use “best 6

“I believe that American agriculture can and will hold true to the best traditions of our national life and that I can exert an influence in my home and community which will stand solid for my part in that inspiring task.”

VATAT News

Command top dollar in the ring

Need a little more cover?

MoorMan’s ShowTec

Hi Fat 18 LN

Sale Burst

No. 18007BPFE4

No. 21206AYWE4

Sale Burst provides the nutritional fitness to enable starting and growing show pigs from 35-75 lb to gain a competitive edge in the sale ring or for an extra performance burst for recently purchased show pigs. 19% protein, 4% fat & 1.15% lysine

Help show pigs put on just the right amount of cover for the look they need at show time.

ON TARGET

18% protein, 7% fat & 1.05% lysine

MoorMan’s ShowTec

BB 18 LN

No. 18241BPPE4 Complete, pelleted feed designed for feeding to show pigs in the 50 lb to show weight range. 18% protein, 3.75% fat, & 1.05% lysine

MoorMan’s® ShowTec®

Hi Fat 16 LN

NEW!

No. 16700BPFE4

You’ll love this new complete, minipelleted feed for pigs from 50 lb to show to develop a full-body while maintaining muscle shape over the top and expansion of ribs and flank. This product is designed to provide all of the functional ingredients that are in product 18007, but with the right protein

Swine

% PROTEIN

7% FAT 0.9%LYSINE D FIE TI

TEXAS BRED RE

RY ST

Show Feed Specialists Tadd Knight – 217-653-0528 Josh Elkins – 979-255-8309 Kent Lewis – 806-773-8981

Official Sponsor of the

CER

and amino acids for pigs that need a 16% protein feed.

www.admani.com/MoorMansShowTec • 866-666-7626 • AN_ShowFeedHelp@adm.com

VATAT News

UPDATE Alumni Dues Kelly White, Texas FFA Alumni President

Annual National FFA affiliation dues are $100 for an Alumni affiliate. Annual State FFA affiliation dues are $100 for an Alumni affiliate.

Affiliation Overview Membership processes and reporting: • Annual fee of $100 for National Dues per local affiliate for the affiliate program providing basic support to all volunteers of that local affiliate. This annual fee would be waived if the local affiliate has at least 25 life members. This process would continue to provide additional annual members in the affiliate coverage to keep them current and active without any additional fees. • Annual fee of $100 for State Dues per local affiliate for the affiliate program providing basic support to all volunteers of that local affiliate. This annual fee would be waived if the local affiliate has at least 25 life members. This process would continue to provide additional annual members in the affiliate coverage to keep them current and active without any additional fees. • Reported membership information in all required fields with a minimum of 10 local affiliate members will continue to be in place for the affiliate to be considered active. • The affiliate must keep required affiliate information completed and updated in Ag Career Network to remain active. • Designate a responsible key contact to sign up the affiliate and keep affiliate information current and communicate to members.

Goals and Objectives The National Alumni Council and staff have identified the following goals for the affiliation program. • Provide the affiliate program to all states and local affiliates across the country to ensure they can participate to grow their volunteers and support for agricultural education and FFA. • Provide implementation strategies and training to state and local alumni leaders to ensure they 8

understand the opportunities and benefits in being connected at the local, state and national levels. • Provide resources and training to state and local leaders on how to use Ag Career Network to report membership, collect data and keep valued alumni records and information in a safe location for operations. • Provide multiple communication resources that will allow the National Alumni Council, national and state staff the ability to provide information and resources to assist individual members and the local alumni affiliates. • For additional supporting goals resulting in increased participation please refer to the benefits of this program below.

What Affiliates and Their Members Receive • Affiliates will receive the ability to use the National FFA tax reporting benefits as a National affiliate. Filing the proper documentation and keeping their active affiliate status in place provides this option as a member affiliate of National FFA. • The local affiliate and all associates have full access to use the National FFA Alumni Ag Career Network and all resources to provide information, house resources, report data, report & process membership, search for career opportunities and discover promising practices to grow the affiliate and its members. • Key alumni and FFA Organization updates, information, sponsor supported benefits are all available by keeping your individual profiles on AgCN up to date. • Electronic “New Visions” alumni newsletter and FFA’s “New Horizons” magazine. • New supportive resources for the local alumni affiliate and their members to become stronger advocates. The needed tools to work with school and community based partners to sustain and grow support for local agricultural education programs and FFA chapters to ensure the success and experience for future generations. • To be part of a national network united to support agriculture, agricultural education and FFA. Each local

VATAT News affiliates actions and support adds to the support of the state and the national level as there is increased support in numbers.

Benefits • Make it easy for individuals to join and less work for local volunteers and affiliates to obtain national membership and receive benefits. • Provide an option for those who want to provide their support both in volunteer hours and financial contributions to the local level and still have the ability to communicate on a national level and receive key information keeping their local programs strong. • Mobilize a larger network of local volunteers and supporters. Collect and report their contributions in time, talent and support and be recognized for their efforts at the local, state and national levels. • National Alumni Association taking on a new focus of membership services rather than membership management • Current booster clubs not seeing the value of national alumni membership will become involved utilizing key information, promising practices and provided services. • Increase the active national affiliates and combined support of alumni keeping an increased number of local FFA chapter and agricultural education program strong and sustainable at all levels. Contact Kelly White at whitek@ltisdschools.org or kbwhite63@gmail.com

FFA ALUMNI DUES Pay National Dues Now For Fiscal Year Sept 1 to Aug 31 & Texas dues deadline is February 15th

Pay at FFA.org Would members of your Alumni chapter like to receive a copy of the VATAT News? If so, please send their first and last name along with their mailing address to vatat@vatat.org.

VATAT News

UPDATE Notes From the Executive Secretary Don Beene, Texas Young Farmers Executive Secretary It is time to collect dues and submit your roster for the 2016-2017 school year. You can access the form at www.txyoungfarmers.org. Please be sure to submit accurate addresses and reliable email addresses. We also ask that you submit the form digitally and then send the money and officer sheet by US Mail. The Texas Young Farmers Convention registration form is now available. We hope you can join us in Gonzales, Texas on January 5th, 6th and 7th for some fun, educational workshops, contests and an overall great time.

Casey Zehnder from North Zulch (right), and Kurt Marek from Baytown Lee (above), were named the winners of the two ice chests given away that the 2016 VATAT Conference.

Thank You to Our Texas Young Farmers Sponsors

VATAT News

2017 Texas Young Farmer Convention January 5th – 8th, 2017 Gonzales, Texas Registration Form

Hotels: Sleep Inn & Suites; 2138 Water St., Gonzales, TX 78629; Phone 830-672-1888 Holiday Inn Express & Suites; 126 Middle Buster Rd., Gonzales, TX 78629; Phone 830-672-2777 Use Group Code: TYF17 or State Association of Young Farmers. Room Rate: Hotel “Convention Block” less than $100. NOTE: The Hotels do not have On-Line Registration, you must call and reserve your room. (Deadline is Dec. 21st.) Schedule: Complete Details at: http://www.txyoungfarmers.org/default.aspx?ID=4415  Thurs., Jan. 5th – 3pm – 5pm State Board Meeting. 7pm – 9pm Icebreaker and Mixer for everyone  Fri., Jan. 6th – Breakfast at Hotel, Morning Tours, Lunch, Afternoon Tours. Dinner at Hotel (provided by TYF), Ag Olympics with additional activities.  Sat. Jan. 7th – Breakfast at Hotel, Delegate Meeting, Business Meeting, Sponsor Appreciation Lunch, Scholarship Auction, Workshops, Awards Banquet and After Banquet Entertainment Registration Costs:

Early Bird Registration Deadline is December 1st.

 Early Bird Registration is $125  Late Registration is $150  Registration includes: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner for Friday and Saturday; Thursday Mixer; Tours; Ag Olympics and After Banquet Entertainment.  Friday Night (Does NOT include the Friday Meal but does include Ag Olympics) and Saturday Only is $75 before December 1st and $100 after December 1st .  Friday Night Meal if arriving before Ag Olympics for Friday and Saturday Only Attendees - $14 each  “YALE” Contest Participants - Early Bird Registration - $75 and $100 after December 1st  Kids are $50  Painting with a Twist Workshop – participants will keep their projects - $10 (Registration required to get needed supplies) Register On Line at TYF website www.txyoungfarmers.org If a computer is not available, You can mail Registration Form and Registration Fees (payable to Texas Young Farmers to: Texas Young Farmers; 1694 LCR 256, Mexia, TX 76667 Early Bird Registration Deadline: December 1, 2016 Name(s): ____________________________________________ TYF Area: ______ TYF Chapter: ______________ Address: ___________________________________ City, State and Zip: __________________________________ Email Address: ____________________________________________ ____ Phone: (_____)______-_________ Early Bird Registration for January 5th - 8th $125 before Dec. 1st Late Registration for January 5th – 8th $150 after Dec. 1st Friday Night Meal (Fri/Sat Only Attendees) $14 each Friday Night - Ag Olympics & Saturday Only $75 before Dec. 1st Friday Night - Ag Olympics & Saturday Only $100 after Dec. 1st “YALE” Contest Participants $75 before Dec. 1st “YALE” Contest Participants $100 after Dec. 1st Child Registration (12 & Under) $50 Painting with a Twist – (Participant keeps project) $10

# _______ @ $ 125 = # _______ @ $150 = # _______ @ $14 = # _______ @ $75 = # ________ @ $100 = # ________ @ $75 = # ________ @ $100 = # _______ @ $50 = # ________ @ $10 = TOTAL DUE:

__________ __________ __________ __________ __________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ____________

Registration using a Credit Card can only be done using the On-Line Registration. For Help call Debi @ 940-389-4052. Paper Registration only accepts Check payments. (Must be included with Registration) 11

VATAT News

VATAT

614 E. 12th Street Austin, Texas 78701

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Upcoming Events October

November

1st - 31st Sheep and Goat Validation 11th State Fair of Texas Agriculture Awareness Day 13th Prairie View A&M Invitational LDE Contest 19th National FFA Convention

December

1st FFA Dues Deadline

1st Junior FFA Dues Deadline

1st Tarleton Invitational LDE Contest

2nd - 3rd State LDEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s at Sam Houston State University

5th Aggiefest LDE Contest

11th - 12th VATAT Board Meeting, Austin

7th Late Priority Swine Tag Order Deadline 30th Last Day to Validate Swine

24th - Jan. 1st Team Ag Ed Offices Closed

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 Shane Crafton, President

Michael Meadows, Vice President

Tammy Christian, Secretary/Treasurer

Staff Barney McClure, Executive Director

Ashley Dunkerley, Communications

Karen Jones, Membership Services