NEWS A Texas Team Ag Ed Publication
The Magic One thing that makes agricultural education unique is our education model. I am referring to the threecomponent model that represents the different facets of our program: inquiry-based classroom/laboratory instruction, hands-on experiential SAE activities, and FFA experiences focusing on leadership and competition. This model separates us from all of the other programs on our campuses. Recently, I saw that the National FFA Organization updated the official three-component model graphic (see on page 2). In this graphic, the lines of the circles disappear as the circles overlap. This represents the fact that the three facets of our program should not exist as three separate entities, but instead be so meshed and connected that they appear as one. I love how Austin Large, Texas FFA Executive Director, describes the area where the circles lose their individual identities and appear as one. “This is where the magic happens in agricultural education.” That statement is so true! Our students realize their potential when all three facets of our program are strong and thriving. Each circle has its place. The classroom is where they gain knowledge and skills. SAEs allows them to apply those skills in real-world settings. Finally, through FFA activities, our students are provided opportunities to use what they have learned in various competitions. Also, through FFA involvement they are provided opportunities to
of
October 2017
Agricultural Education
Michael Meadows, Simms
be recognized for their work through awards, degrees, and scholarship programs. All three facets are related, should be integrated, and are necessary for students to reach their potential. This model has served well and allowed thousands of students to develop and excel through the years. We, as ag educators, are very fortunate in Texas. Ag education programs in this state have grown, developed and secured a place in the public-school system. This didn’t happen overnight. All of us are beneficiaries of those who came before us; those who built strong ag education programs in their local communities. They built these successful programs by following the three-component model. They graduated successful students and built a reputation and track record that attracted sponsors, impressed local and state decision makers in education, and helped cement our place in the public-school system. It is now our responsibility as current ag educators to protect the reputation and seek to improve what we do. We need strong ag education programs to do this. The quality of any local program begins with the ag teacher. It is up to us to make sure that we follow the three-component model. We all know of programs that might “specialize” in one area. Some might concentrate on certain FFA activities such as specific LDE/CDE teams, livestock showing, or ag mechanics. Many times, in these “specialized” programs other facets
might be neglected, which means some students are not being reached. I realize local community needs must be considered, as well as expectations of administrators. Many times, these external forces have more influence on our programs than we would prefer. There is a program evaluation document on the VATAT website that might help ag teachers educate administrators on what a strong, well-rounded program looks like. At the very least, this evaluation tool might help local ag teachers identify areas of their program where improvement is needed. The future of ag education is in our hands. As I stated before, agriculture education in this state wasn’t built overnight. Continue on page 2
The Magic of Agricultural Education
VATAT Crisis Fund
Continued
Barney McClure, VATAT Executive Director
My Dad, who taught ag for 38 years, said the late 60’s, 70’s and early 80’s was the “heyday” of agricultural education. I am not disputing his perception, but today we have the opportunity to reach more students, in more ways than ever before. Barney McClure, VATAT Executive Director, recently said, “ag education today is whatever you make of it.” These words are true as well. It is up to us, as current ag teachers, to make our programs viable, strong, and successful. Doing this will benefit those in our classrooms every day as well as help ensure the future of this program. I encourage you to take time to evaluate your own program and test the overlap of your circles. Make the magic happen!
Several years ago, at the suggestion of Liz Treptow, agriculture teacher at Weimar, a member crisis fund was established. It was noted that there are times when a member experiences a financial crisis due to an unexpected expense. These are typically brought on by medical issues, but can be due to storm damage, flooding, tornado, or fire. Our association provides a $500 check to each member in need. We have a raffle each summer at conference in which a member buys chances at cash prizes. This past year we awarded four hundred dollars in prizes. Half of the net money raised goes to our PAC fund and half to the crisis fund. The average number of members receiving this assistance is usually about 12 members annually. This past year, due to several tornados, 19 members were assisted. With more than 2,000 active members, it is often difficult to determine who needs some help. We rely on fellow members to let us know who has been impacted. With the damage caused by Hurricane Harvey, I have sent out assistance checks to 20 members in the last two weeks. While this is more than we collected from the raffle, our board approved using cash reserves to help all those in need. If you know of someone who needs assistance, send me an email with their information. I’ll call them before sending a check. I have had a few actually tell me that they were good and didn’t need any assistance, and that they would rather see the money go to someone else! One teacher told me in a thank you note, “your call, our conversation, and the association’s desire to help will never be forgotten.” While $500 is not a life changer, it is a token of support from our association that can lift spirits and let members know we care. It is simply the right thing for us to do.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE VATAT.......................................1 - 3 Texas FFA....................................5 Foundation..............................6 - 7 Young Farmers.........................8 - 9 2
vatat
MENTOR program
2017-2018 MENTORS GARY ADAMS KENN CARR GLEN DOSSETT TONY DUNKERLEY RICK FLEMING STEVE FORSYTHE LACHO GARZA MIKE JACKSON RANDY LOOPER
DON MCGUFFIN JIM MISSILDINE LOYD NATIONS DAVID REILEY BOBBY ROSENBUSCH JIMMY VACULIN WI MARY WILSON JACK WINTERROWD
THANK YOU TO THESE INDIVIDUALS FOR ALL THAT THEY DO TO SUPPORT AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION! 3
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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 2017-2018 school year. You can access the form at www.txyoungfarmers.org. Please be sure to submit correct addresses and reliable email addresses so we can accurately send important information to you, such as this newsletter. It is also important to include accurate email addresses because each of your members are associate members of the National Young Farmer Education Association (NYFEA). This allows them to get a quarterly newsletter from the NYFEA. NYFEA has a meeting each year in December and Texas has several members that attend. It is very educational with tours that include historical sites. This year we will be going to Savannah, Georgia December 6th - 9th. Each of you are invited to attend. If you are interested just contact me at dbtxyfa@gmail.com and I will provide you with more details. Also, As you are planning your “Program of Work� for this year, let me encourage you to plan to hold a couple of educational meetings with your adults. I suggest focusing on topics that are important to your community.
Contest Updates The Texas Young Farmers Convention registration form is now available. We hope you can join us in Kerrville, January 4th- 7th for some fun, educational workshops, contests and an overall great time. In previous newsletter issues, I have been including articles about the tours that we will be taking. There is a registration form on the following page outlining the activities at the convention. You can submit your registration online or mail the form to: Texas Young Farmers PO Box 465 Chico, TX 76431
membership rosters and dues are due November 1, 2017.
Thank You to Our Texas Young Farmers Sponsors
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2018 2018 Texas Young Farmer Convention Texas Young Farmer Convention th – 7th, 2018 January 4thJanuary – 7th, 42018 in Kerrville, Texas
Kerrville, Texas Registration Form Registration Form
Hotel: Inn of the Hills; 1001 Junction Hwy., Kerrville, TX 78028; Phone: 830-895-5000 -- on line at reservations@innofthehills.com . (Deadline is Dec. 21st.) Website: http://www.innofthehills.com Use Group Code: TYF18 or State Association of Young Farmers. Room Rate: Hotel “Convention Block” less than $100. Schedule: Complete Details at: http://www.txyoungfarmers.org/default.aspx?ID=4415 Thurs., Jan. 4th – 3pm – 5pm State Board Meeting. 7pm – 9pm Icebreaker and Mixer for everyone Fri., Jan. 5th – Breakfast at Hotel, Morning Tours, Lunch, Afternoon Tours. Dinner at Hotel (provided by TYF), Ag Olympics with additional activities. Sat. Jan. 6th – 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 - $25 each “YALE” Contest Participants - Early Bird Registration - $75 and $100 after December 1st Kids are $50 “Crafting” 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; C/O Debi Peyton, PO Box 465, Chico, TX 76431 Early Bird Registration Deadline: December 1, 2017 Name(s): ____________________________________________ TYF Area: ______ TYF Chapter: ______________ Address: ___________________________________ City, State and Zip: __________________________________ Email Address: _________________________________________________ Phone: (_____)______-_________ Early Bird Registration for January 4th - 7th $125 before Dec. 1st $150 after Dec. 1st Late Registration for January 4th – 7th Friday Night Meal (Fri/Sat Only Attendees) $25 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 “Crafting” Workshop – (Participant keeps project) $10
# _______ @ $ 125 = __________ # _______ @ $150 = __________ # _______ @ $25 = __________ # _______ @ $75 = __________ # ________ @ $100 = __________ # ________ @ $75 = ___________ # ________ @ $100 = ___________ # _______ @ $50 = ___________ # ________ @ $10 = ___________ TOTAL DUE: ____________ Additional Names and Chapters included on this Registration: _____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________.
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). (Version 2) 9
HERE’S TO THE
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VATAT
614 E. 12th Street Austin, Texas 78701
Upcoming Events October
November
december
1 - 31 Sheep and Goat Validation
1 Fall Texas FFA Roster Deadline
1 Texas FFA Junior Roster Deadline
1 - 31 Late Swine Tag Orders (Major Shows)
1 - 7 Late Priority Swine Tag Orders (Major Shows)
1 - 2 Texas FFA State LDEs
10 State Fair of Texas Agriculture Awareness Day
7 Tarleton Invitational LDEs
12 Prairie View A&M Invitational LDE Contest 21 Aggiefest Judging Contest
7 Late Priority Swine Tag Order Deadline
7 Swine Validation Materials Deadline (Major Shows) 9 - 10 VATAT Board Meeting
30 Last Day to Validate Swine
25 - 28 National FFA Convention
www.vatat.org
Contact
(512) 472-3128
vatat@vatat.org
Officers Michael Meadows, President Barney McClure, Executive Director
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Tammy Christian, Vice President
Staff
Ashley Dunkerley, Communications
Terry Baize, Secretary/Treasurer Karen Jones, Membership Services