October 2018 by Texas Ag Ed

NEWS A Texas Team Ag Ed Publication

October 2018

#TammyTalks

Tammy Christian, Penelope

Howdy from Penelope, Texas! We met our three week mark at the beginning of last week here at school. By the time you receive this newsletter you will likely have finished or be finished with the first six weeks and on to the second, or pretty close to starting it. It is so hard to believe how fast the school year moves. We have so many activities, deadlines and events there are few, if any, dull moments or lulls! Add writing a newsletter article to that, and it moves really fast! In Area VIII, we have had our area banquet, greenhand conference and most districts have had their first district meetings. Many of us are busy visiting projects, buying projects, preparing for LDE’s, working concession stands and fundraising. To continue my story from last month, as 1980 moved into 1981, my enthusiasm remained high, I was a part of the livestock judging team, we had county fair and quickly began making plans for the state FFA convention. I was catching on to this FFA thing and it was a priority with me. I was fortunate as a kid, to grow up in a loving home with parents who encouraged me. My Dad always expected success and he continually raised the bar! I look at so many of my students today, and I feel that is a part that is sometimes lacking in their lives. No one at home has taken the time to nurture their drive for success and

raise the bar. The next three years of high school, for me, proved no different. I worked hard to succeed and be on top, no matter what we were doing. Mr. Hawthorne continued to do his job so well! He offered every new opportunity he could, all the while encouraging us, and preparing us. My peers recognized my passion for the blue and gold and they began to encourage me to run for a district office. I finally caved in and took the leap. I ended up serving the Lake Whitney District as secretary in 1983-1984. It was a huge step and another life changing experience. During high school I served as chapter President, was awarded outstanding female member and outstanding chapter officer. That blue and gold jacket had changed my life! To be continued… Many of you are learning your new students and their talents. You are also renewing and cultivating the talents of those who have been involved. For those new teachers, as you prepare for fall LDE’s, do not spread yourselves too thin! Choose a couple of contests, or even three, you feel confident about, and have students interested in. Work hard on them, prepare and learn. Offer to judge a contest that you are interested in and learn, it is a great way to hone your skills. I have spent the majority of my career in oneteacher department and honestly, I

think, everyone should be able to train a couple of creed speakers and quiz teams. Any of the LDE’s that you can get students interested in, and willing to participate in, are beneficial. There are a number of invitational LDE’s that are being posted on Judging Card, check it out. Begin to work on your rosters so that you are not rushing toward that deadline. As you shop for animal projects, please be mindful of the importance of being professional, honest and ethical. It is part of our job and responsibility. We attend the National FFA Convention every other year. I usually take four to five students who have been active and on track to be scholarship Continue on page 2

#TammyTalks

Thank You, Ron Whitson

Continued

Barney McClure, VATAT Executive Director

applicants. We typically try to work courtesy corp so that they have a national activity to add. This is our year to attend so we are making plans and preparations for that trip. October is a busy month! Many will be involved in the State Fair as well as other fall livestock shows and competitions, and validations, look at those calendars daily so that you stay on top of upcoming roster deadlines, tag orders and fundraiser deadlines. Last, but not least, Kelli Neumann is doing a great job as Leadership Development Coordinator of the Texas FFA. Information was recently released on three different leadership conference opportunities, targeting Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors. The conferences are about $75 per participant and will be held at six different locations across Texas. Check these out, they are great opportunities for our students. Be safe in your travels and stay positive!

My wife and I took two of our grandchildren to a carnival type event near our hometown recently. In addition to the rides and food, there was even an old-time fiddling contest to take in. In our travels around the grounds a man approached us whom I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t recognize. He was about 35-years-old and sported an interesting array of tattoos on his arms. He called me by name and proceeded to tell me how he was making a living as a welder. He explained he just wanted to let me know he was doing something productive that he learned how to do in my class. I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t tell you his name or exactly when he came through my program. I am almost positive he never was an FFA officer or a member of any successful teams. In fact, he was most assuredly one of my back-row kids. We have all had them; kids who rarely raised their hands or participated in some of our more traditional activities. His picture never appeared in our local paper and he may not have even walked with his graduation class. However, agricultural education had an impact on his life in a positive way. It is easy to forget about kids like him who may not make much of a mark on our ultra competitive programs. But I assure you that kids like him are watching you and how you go about your job. Never minimize your influence on a student like this. I have often said that most of our upper echelon students would be successful with or without us. It might just be in a different arena. For youngsters like the one I have described here, you might mean the difference between a productive life and one much different. As you go about your job this year, remember the back row kids and your influence on them. An agriculture teacher has a chance to touch the lives of a broad spectrum of students. You just might not realize it until twenty years later.

YOUR CONFERENCE CERTIFICATE IS ONLINE NOW. visit vatat.org

INSIDE THIS ISSUE VATAT.......................................1 - 2 Foundation...........................4 Alumni................................6 Young Farmers..........................8 - 9

HEREâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S TO THE

FUTURE.

PROUD SUPPORTERS OF THE

TEXAS FFA

UPDATE Shop

and

Support...It’s That Easy

Aaron Alejandro, Texas FFA Foundation Executive Director

Support the Texas FFA Foundation by shopping at AmazonSmile. When you shop, Amazon will donate to the Texas Future Farmers of America Foundation Inc. (Texas FFA Foundation) every time!

How

Use Amazon Smile?

Use our unique charity link: https://smile. amazon.com/ch/74-2520515 and Amazon will donate 0.5% of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the Texas FFA Foundation. You have to be logged in through Amazon Smile for your support to be recognized. If you go through you Amazon Prime, it will not capture your support.

simply follow these steps! Step 1: Visit smile.amazon.com The shopping experience is the same on both sites and almost all products available on amazon.com are also available at Amazon Smile. Step 2: Sign Into Your Amazon Account You can sign into Amazon Smile using the same account as you would for amazon.com. If you don’t have an account, simply click “create an account” below the sign in section. Step 3: Select Your Charitable Organization You can then type in “Texas Future Farmers of America Foundation Inc.” (Texas FFA Foundation) and click “search.” Step 4: Make Your Selection Hit the select key to indicate you would like your purchases to support the Texas FFA Foundation. 4

Step 5: Thank You Your business at www.smile.amazon.com will now support the Texas FFA Foundation! We thank you for your support, and commend Amazon for their commitment to the goals and causes of non-profits everywhere.

Tips!

Set Smile Amazon as a favorite on your computer homescreen, add a bookmark or add an icon to the home screen on your mobile devices for easy use. Before you submit your final purchase when on Amazon, make sure you are logged into your Smile Amazon account. Look on the Smile Amazon tool bar just before purchase is finalized and you should see a note that designates your support.

PROUDLY

SUPPORTS THE TEXAS

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UPDATE Texas FFA Alumni News Kelly White, Texas FFA Alumni President

The interest in forming an alumni association in Texas began in 1936 when the Constitution and By-Laws of the Texas Association of Future Farmers of America adopted a by-law that read as follows: “Area, district, and local organizations are authorized and encouraged to promote and help FFA alumni to organize a chapter.” However, there is no record of any chapter being organized. In the 1930’s, a group known as the Gold Key Club emerged as a forerunner to the alumni association. This group consisted of young men who had obtained either their Lone Star Farmer degree or their American Farmer degree. Beeville FFA started the first Gold Key Club and held an annual banquet in the members’ honor. Other chapters were organized, but by the end of the 1930’s, almost all Gold Key clubs had ceased to exist. The Texas Association renewed interest in organizing a viable FFA Alumni Association in 1950. During that year, a small group of former FFA members met at Sam Houston State College (now Sam Houston State University). Former members expressed a need for an organization to help active FFA members. Thus, the Texas Future Farmer Alumni Association was formed and officers were elected as follows: president - Wilbur Dunk, Junction; vice president - Preston Sights, Uvalde; secretary Nolan Alders, Nacogdoches; treasurer - Leroy Thornburg, White Deer; reporter - Jimmy Darling, Abilene. This association was short-lived because a military draft was enacted and most of the officers were called into service. The organization remained dormant until the 6

summer of 1953 when a group interested in reorganizing met at the State FFA Convention in Fort Worth and voted to reorganize. They called themselves the Young Farmers of Texas. In 1969 at the National FFA Convention, an organization was created for former members of the FFA and the New Farmers of America (NFA). This organization became known as the FFA Alumni Association. The alumni association enabled former members to assist high school FFA members and vocational agriculture teachers. Membership was open to all former active FFA and NFA members, collegiate or honorary FFA and NFA members, present and former professional vocational agriculture educators, parents of FFA members, and others interested in supporting the FFA, according to the national constitution and by-laws of the Future Farmers of America. The first National FFA Alumni Council met in January 1971. E.C. “Dick” Weekley, Texas FFA executive secretary and advisory council member, assisted in forming the Texas FFA Alumni Association. The Texas Alumni Association was chartered in 1971, and has established scholarships for FFA members, it once provided a state convention tape service to all FFA Members, and has continued to sponsor activities for members each year. Source: The History of Agricultural Education in Texas Texas Tech Press Lubbock, Texas 1988

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UPDATE Notes From

the

Executive Secretary

Bob Young, Texas Young Farmers Executive Secretary

There is no such thing as easing into a new school year, is there? So many activities are already in progress for FFA and Young Farmer Chapters. It is satisfying to witness and be a part of the great things that are happening and the good results that are achieved. I want to assist Ag Teachers and Young Farmer members in developing and growing their chapters. Please contact me if I can help you. Believe it or not, it’s already time for Young Farmer chapters to submit your 2018-19 rosters. You can access the form at www. txyoungfarmers.org. Please be sure to submit correct addresses and reliable email addresses so that we can send important information to you. This is doubly important because your chapter members also receive a quarterly newsletter as Associate Members of the National Young Farmer Education Association. We encourage you to submit rosters online, but if you have to submit rosters by hand please print legibly. Also, consider including at least two educational programs during the year in your Program of Work. These programs can add meaning and structure to your organization by benefiting members of the community. The 2018 NYFEA Institute will be held in Rogers, Arkansas, December 12-15. Texas was represented by twenty-two Texas Young Farmers last year at the Institute in Savannah, Georgia, and we are expecting at least that many to attend this December. This is one of the most educational, informative, and worthwhile conventions that you can be part of. All Texas Young Farmers are invited to attend. If you are interested, please contact me at bytxyfa@gmail. com or 903-983-6969 for more details. Our State Officers will meet October 20, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Temple, site of the upcoming 8

Texas Young Farmers State Convention. Our biggest agenda item will be finalizing plans for the State Convention. If anyone knows of something that should come before the board, please contact me or State President Stephanie Wood. As always, the convention will include wonderful tours, educational meetings, exhibitor booths, chapter and individual awards, and great food. This is a convention that you will never want to miss once you have attended. Tours include Walker Honey Farm, Agri-Life Blackland Research & Extension Center, and a water treatment plant. The registration form on the next page outlines the convention activities. We all know that quality membership is vital to the success of every organization. Texas Young Farmers is always searching for good new members. We have to discover ways of attracting new members, and we all should strive to encourage more young people to get involved. So if you have any ideas of how to accomplish this goal, please share them with other members, other chapters, and with your State Officer Team as well. Lastly, remember what Tim Notke had to say about work and talent, “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” Until next time.

membership rosters and dues are due November 1, 2018

2019 Texas Young Farmer Convention January 10th – 13th, 2019 Temple, Texas Registration Form

Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn Temple, 1749 Scott Boulevard, Temple, TX 76504. Telephone: 254-773-0200. (Deadline is Dec. 21st.) Website: http://www.hiltongardeninn3.hilton.com Use Group Code: Texas Young Farmers. Room Rate: Hotel “Convention Block” about $100. Schedule: Complete Details at: http://www.txyoungfarmers.org/default.aspx?ID=4415 ❖ Thurs., Jan. 10th – 3pm – 5pm State Board Meeting. 7pm – 9pm Icebreaker and Mixer for everyone. ❖ Fri., Jan. 11th – Breakfast at Hotel, Morning Tours, Lunch, Afternoon Tours. Dinner at Hotel (provided by TYF), Ag Olympics with additional activities. ❖ Sat., Jan. 12th – 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 3, 2018.

❖ 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 3 and $100 after December 3. 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 3. ❖ Kids are $50 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 Bob Young, 1990 T K Pkwy, Axtell, TX 76624 Early Bird Registration Deadline: December 3, 2018 Name(s): ____________________________________________ TYF Area: ______ TYF Chapter: ______________ Address: ___________________________________ City, State and Zip: __________________________________ Email Address: _________________________________________________ Phone: (_____)______-_________ Early Bird Registration for January 10-13 $125 before Dec. 3 Late Registration for January 10-13 $150 after Dec. 3 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

# _______ # _______ # _______ # _______ # ________ # ________ # ________ # _______

@ $ 125 = ____________ @ $150 = __________ @ $25 = __________ @ $75 = __________ @ $100 = __________ @ $75 = ___________ @ $100 = ___________ @ $50 = ___________

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 1) 9

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To learn more about joining or starting a varsity chapter, visit ducks.org/varsity

We’re growing opportunities Scholarships

Youth Grants

Two $1,000 scholarships are available to:

• Designed to assist Texas FFA Chapters with project(s) lacking funding within its local

• High school junior or seniors

school district

• Current college or university students

• Apply for a $250-$2,500 grant

Application Deadline: Nov. 1st

Application Deadline: Nov. 30th

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(800)777-1825 (512)472-3258

INFO@VATATCU.ORG

WWW.VATATCU.ORG

VATAT

614 E. 12th Street Austin, Texas 78701

Upcoming Events October

November

December

1 Leadership Conference, San Angelo

1 Fall Texas FFA Roster Deadline

1 Texas FFA Junior Roster Deadline

1 - 31 Sheep and Goat Validation

1 Tarleton Invitational LDEs

7 Swine Validation Materials Deadline (Major Shows)

1 - 31 Late Swine Tag Orders (Major Shows) 9 State Fair of Texas Agriculture Awareness Day 24 - 27 National FFA Convention

1 - 7 Late Priority Swine Tag Orders (Major Shows)

9 - 10 VATAT Board Meeting

12 Leadership Conference, Canyon 30 Last Day to Validate Swine 30 State LDEs, Huntsville

www.vatat.org

Contact

(512) 472-3128

vatat@vatat.org

Officers Tammy Christian, President

Terry Baize, Vice President

Staff

Ryan Pieniazek, Secretary/Treasurer

Barney McClure, Executive Director Ashley Dunkerley, Communications Karen Jones, Membership Services Tori Rosser, Special Projects