Growing Our Future: Texas Agricultural Science Education Magazine by Texas Ag Ed

GROWING OUR FUTURE A TEXAS AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE EDUCATION MAGAZINE

WINTER 2023

THERE CAN’T BE A GAME WON WITHOUT A GAME PLAN See what Texas FFA students have to say at mytexasffa.org

SUMMARY 4

Growing the Future Through Partnerships

Texas FFA Ford Leadership Scholars

American Star in Placement Finalists

A Letter of Encouragement to My Ag Teacher Friends

Christian Teacher of The Year

Bringing Community Partnerships in the Classroom

American Star in Agribusiness Finalists

A Family Tradition

American Star Farmer Finalists

Digitizing Your Teacher Team

Partnerships That Bond Us

Thank You, Sponsors

Partnerships And Their Importance to Agricultural Education

The Personal and Professional Benefits of Partnerships

None Of Us Is As Strong As All Of Us

Texas FFA Alumni Updates

Gowing Our Furture: A Texas Agricultural Education Magazine 614 East 12th Street Austin, Texas 78701 512-472-3128 Editor / Layout Designer / Content Director Ashley Dunkerley Assistant Editor Tori Rosser Cover Photo Shot by Ashley Dunkerley

FROM THE EDITOR

Texas agricultural science education has a strong history of incredible partnerships. When organizations and communities work together to support learning and student development, everyone benefits.

Ashley Dunkerley

What do those benefits look like? Ultimately, they can strengthen, support, and create opportunities, resulting in improved program quality, more efficient use of resources, and better alignment of goals and strategic priorities. Our partnerships help keep the foundation that ag education is built on strong. We hope you enjoy the Winter 2023 issue of Growing Our Future!

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GROWING THE FUTURE THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS B Y: M I T C H E L L DA L E PRESIDENT OF McREE FORD AND T E X A S F FA F O U N DAT I O N B O A R D O F D I R E C T O R S C H A I R M A N

hy do Ford and The Texas Ford Dealers invest in the Texas FFA? Because, like you, we want a better future for our communities, state, nation, and world, and who better to deliver that leadership than students of agriculture education and FFA programming? Investments can and do sometimes result in more sales, but the real results we are interested in are much greater. We view our efforts as not only building excellent vehicles but also as building exceptional leaders. What is a partnership? There are several ways to define the word partnership, but when discussing Texas FFA and Ford, the partnership is less about a transaction and more about the relationship. We value the relational proposition we have when working with

the Texas FFA. From a business standpoint, Texas Ford Dealers are interested in current and future customers, but we are also interested in students who will grow into incredible leaders who will make our communities a better place to live, work, and raise our families; families like those who work for Ford dealers across the Lone Star state. We are in this together – the future – and that is an awesome stage for collaboration and partnership. Ford Motor Company has been a supporter of the National FFA for 75 consecutive years, which is longer than any other automotive sponsor. Ford recognized our common interest in agriculture, youth, and leadership. The relationship at the national level became the foundation to grow our relationship between Texas Ford Dealers and the Texas FFA. The step toward a

“FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS BEEN A SUPPORTER OF THE NATIONAL FFA FOR 75 CONSECUTIVE YEARS, WHICH IS LONGER THAN ANY OTHER AUTOMOTIVE SPONSOR. ” 4

for leadership development. Again, this is a great example of a partnership that makes our state stronger and our students exceptional.

more robust relationship between the Texas Ford Dealers and Texas FFA was an easy one, it was simply the right thing to do. I like to say, "Keep it simple; the right thing is always the right thing." The relationship between Texas Ford Dealers and the Texas FFA was the right thing to do then, now, and in the future.

In addition to our partnership efforts for leadership development and community service, we are also partnered in our students' academic achievement. Ford and Texas Ford Dealers support students through the Built Ford Tough Scholarship program. Helping students set and reach academic goals while also creating connections at the local / community level. Again, this is another example of win-win collaboration and partnership.

As we grow our future with the Texas FFA, our Texas Ford Dealers were able to serve as a catalyst for some great benchmarks in Texas FFA history. With the first $ million-dollar gift in the history of the FFA, we were able to provide the foundation for the Texas Agricultural Education and Ford Texas FFA Leadership Center in Austin. The building has supported Texas FFA operations and served as a leadership development hub for more than 20 years. The establishment of the Ford Leadership Scholars program is a great example of partnership in student leadership development and community service.

The Texas Ford Dealers and Ford are proud of these partnerships and excited for the future. Working together, we see a bright future and know that Texas Team Ag Ed prepares students today to be better leaders, community volunteers, and agriculturalists. Translated, students today will grow into incredible leaders and dynamic influencers tomorrow. What a partnership!

Hundreds of communities have benefitted from this next-level program

NOW ACCEPTING 2024

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CAREER WEEK Resources and Lesson Plans

DECEMBER

A THREE-WEEK LESSON PLAN WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR TEACHERS!

11-15, 2023

CAREER WEEK GOALS 1

To create a comprehensive weeklong plan that can be easily implemented into the classroom.

To showcase a variety of agriculture careers to students.

To assist students in identifying their talents and interests to develop an intentional plan of success throughout FFA involvement.

To assist students in developing valuable soft skills that will assist them in preparing for future career preparation and or opportunities.

FOLLOW TEXAS FFA ON SOCIAL MEDIA FOR ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

WWW.TEXASFFA.ORG/CAREERWEEK

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his past summer, the 2023 Texas FFA Ford Leadership Scholars participated in a week-long training seminar where they begin to plan their own substantial and sustainable local community research service projects. Each student was assigned a mentor who will assist the scholar through their leadership project during the fall semester. Let's take a look at the class of 2023's service project objectives.

TRACER RICE McGREGOR FFA I am creating a staff appreciation program at all McGregor ISD campuses. Faculty and staff at all of the MISD campuses are overworked and underappreciated, and a student-led appreciation program will allow them to boost their morality.

THOMAS DEAN MADISONVILLE FFA My project is building an animal shelter in Madison County and, potentially, for surrounding counties. We desperately need a place to shelter all the stray dogs and cats in our rural town and a proper form of animal control, and this project is focused on answering that need.

HUNTER LAWSON PARADISE FFA My project consists of renovating the City of Paradise’s Park, Leone Park, which will increase community involvement and support physical activity. The efforts consist of rebuilding and painting fences and dugouts, updating and renovating bleachers and pathways, and creating a pocket park in the heart of the complex.

MIA STOWE GILMER FFA My project aims to spread awareness about the importance of literacy in my community. The three main sections of my project include advertising the Upshur County Literacy Council at different community events, creating a fundraiser for the council to purchase new learning materials, and hosting a book fair at four of the Gilmer ISD campuses. By the end of my project, my goal is to raise $1,000 for the literacy council and donate 1,000 books to different community organizations. 8

JOELI HARDY MADISONVILLE FFA My Ford Leadership Scholar Project is the Madison County Hay Relief Program (MHRP). The purpose of MHRP is to help local agriculturalists, whether it be 4-H or FFA members, as well as farmers and ranchers who are in need of hay for agriculture.

SHAYLA MADER STEPHENVILLE FFA I am establishing social media platforms and a website for my local Summer Food 4 Kids Program to hopefully increase community awareness and gain support and volunteers. Additionally, I will be fundraising for the program so that it may be sustained for many years to come.

GUS MUSHINSKI BRIDGELAND FFA My Ford Scholars project is creating a website that stores all community service organizations and events in an easy-to-access database. I’m hoping to reach the lives of not only students and others looking for community service opportunities but also the lives of those affected by these wonderful events.

GAUGE McCAIN BRAZOS FFA I chose to do my project about agriculture education as I felt this was a big need in my community. I chose to construct a youth agriculture presentation that was open during the local county fair and has been used as additional Ag in The Classroom programs.

NATALIE TROYER CLEAR BROOK FFA My project is an agricultural literacy effort focusing on expanding agricultural knowledge in 8th-grade classrooms in Clear Creek ISD. I am making a series of four videos with accompanying short assignments that will allow students to gain an understanding of FFA, 4-H, production agriculture, and jobs in the agricultural industry.

LILY ADAMS WHITEHOUSE FFA Due to my passion for wildlife and education on such matters, I have decided to revamp the city of Whitehouse’s Blackhawk Creek Trail into an educational and recreational site for all to enjoy. To highlight habitat integrity, I plan to implement sources such as man-made habitats, site trailheads, wildlife information booths, etc., to cultivate various conservation efforts.

AGRICULTURE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS

2023-2024

MENTORS JIM ALLSUP DAVID BRAY MICHAEL BROUSSARD CINDY DOCKTER MISTY EPPLER KIM FORD STEVE FORSYTHE CHARLES PRAUSE

RODNEY MARTINE DARIN MARTINEZ BARNEY MCCLURE WENDY MEADOWS JIM MISSILDINE MORRIS MORTENSEN KAY RICHARDS BOBBY ROSENBUSCH

BARBIE SCHMIDT LIZ TREPTOW MICHELLE VASBINDER RON WHITSON DIEDRE WILLIAMS MARY WILSON JACK WINTERROWD GERALD YOUNG

MENTEES BRENDAN ANDREWS BRANDY BENSON JACOB BRANDON ZOE CARLISLE KRISTAN CARTWRIGHT WHITNEY CHOATE MEGHAN COURSEY JACQUELINE DONATHAN NATHAN FEUQUAY CHRISTIAN FLOYD

KYLE FRITH GABRIELA GARZA PAIGE GOMES-GREEN KAYLA GRAY JACOB HALSELL CALLIE HERMAN BRENT HOLMES TUCKER HOWELL SHELBIE HUTCHINSON HANNAH KELLEY

HANNAH KELSO GENEVA LORD RODNEY LOTT KATY PETRI REBECCA POSPISIL MALLORY PYSSEN JOSEPH REISINGER CLAY SIMMONS ALEXIS SMITH VALASTA SMITH

JESICA THORNBURGH BROOKLIN TINGLE MACKENZIE TRAWEEK ELLETT VANN TANNER VANN ZOE WALKER TARA WHITELY LINDSEY WILDER MADISON WYNNE EVAN YOUNT

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AMERICAN STAR IN PLACEMENT FINALISTS SNYDER FFA MEMBER HONORED AS ONE OF THE TOP AGRICULTURAL PLACEMENT SAEs IN THE NATION

axson Collier works on a dairy farm, but he doesn’t always milk the cows himself — sometimes he gets his robots to do it for him. “We have an original milking parlor [for] attaching milkers,” Collier said, “but where I did a lot of my work, especially in my later years, was in the robotic parlor where the robots actually milked cows.” Collier, a member of Snyder FFA in Texas, works for T&K Dairy — his family business. They opened their first robotic milking parlor in 2019, and they just opened a second one this summer. Jaxson said robotic milking is faster and more efficient than older methods. “It’s pretty cool,” Collier said. “And having that robot option is really helpful to a lot of [struggling] dairy farmers who don’t want to close up shop or sell a bunch of cows.” In addition to the dairy cows, Collier is also responsible for farming cotton, corn and sorghum. He said his family has owned the farm for generations. “T & K stands for Tim and Keith, which is my grandfather and great-grandfather, and they

started the dairy back in 1982,” Collier said. “I started working out there [when] I was 12.” Collier said his parents were instrumental in helping with his supervised agricultural experience (SAE) – his father owns the dairy farm and taught him everything he knows, while his mother worked alongside his FFA advisor to help him with paperwork and record keeping. “I’m not really good with words and typing and all that stuff, so they helped me a lot,” Collier said. However, Collier has plans beyond the dairy farm. He’s majoring in agribusiness at Texas Tech University and working on acquiring a real estate license to help farmers and ranchers find affordable land for their businesses. “I am not a dairy farmer at heart, but what I am is a big enthusiast for agriculture,” he said. “I plan on becoming a broker for ranch land, farmland, dairy farms, all of that. … But I’m always willing to return to the dairy and help whenever I’m needed.” Collier’s advice for FFA members who want to start their own SAE is to “just jump in.” “You’ve got to be willing to do whatever it takes,” he said. “Don’t be afraid to ask for help either.”

THIS LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCE FOR SENIORS WILL HELP GRADUATING FFA MEMBERS LEARN HOW TO APPLY WHAT THEY HAVE LEARNED IN THE FFA JACKET TO THEIR POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION OR THE WORKFORCE. EXECUTING WITH EXCELLENCE WILL BE A ONE-DAY EXPERIENCE HELD IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE MADE FOR EXCELLENCE AND BUILDING EXCELLENCE CONFERENCES. IT'S OPEN TO ALL TEXAS FFA SENIORS.

MORE INFO FOUND AT TEXASFFA.ORG TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY - COMMERCE - NOVEMBER 13

EXCELLENCE CONFERENCES

A POST-FFA SPRINGBOARD FOR SENIORS

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY - JANUARY 22

THIS CONFERENCE IS FACILITATED BY ZIGLAR YOUTH CERTIFIED SPEAKERS AND FOCUSES ON SELF-IMAGE, RELATIONSHIP BUILDING, AND GOAL-SETTING. BUILDING EXCELLENCE IS A ONE-DAY EXPERIENCE OPEN TO ALL TEXAS FFA MEMBERS IN THEIR JUNIOR YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL AND WILL BE HELD IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE MADE FOR EXCELLENCE AND EXECUTING WITH EXCELLENCE CONFERENCES.

MIDWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY - OCTOBER 16

A GENERATION ZIGLAR EXPERIENCE FOR JUNIORS

TEXAS FFA

LEADERSHIP STARTS WITH THE INDIVIDUAL. THIS PROGRAM FOCUSES ON PERSONAL GROWTH AND CAPITALIZES ON THE WISDOM, COURAGE, AND STRENGTH STUDENTS NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL AS INDIVIDUAL LEADERS. MADE FOR EXCELLENCE IS A ONE-DAY EXPERIENCE OPEN TO ALL SOPHOMORE TEXAS FFA MEMBERS AND WILL BE HELD IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE BUILDING EXCELLENCE AND EXECUTING WITH EXCELLENCE CONFERENCES.

STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY - JANUARY 5

A PERSONAL GROWTH EXPERIENCE FOR SOPHOMORES

WEST TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY - OCTOBER 2

ET ICK ET N A PL T IC K E T PLANE

B Y: DA V I D L A I R D WALLER ISD CTE DIRECTOR

A LETTER OF

ENCOURAGEMENT

TO MY AG TEACHER FRIENDS

hen you work year-round, the days on the calendar matter little to an ag teacher. Those days seem to be measured by tasks. While most teachers are anticipating the holiday break this time of year, ag teachers are wrapping up LDE season, helping officers plan the next chapter meeting, organizing a fundraiser, preparing for spring CDE teams, etc. On top of that, the special education department scheduled you for ARD meetings during your next four conference periods. And, of course, one of the thirty goats in the barn started coughing over the weekend, but the student didn't tell you about it until this morning.

Even if you feel like you can't make it through this or feel overwhelmed, ask for help, advice or simply vent. It will be therapeutic and may even result in you getting that breakthrough piece of information you've been searching for.

CREATE A PLAN AND TAKE IT ONE STEP AT A TIME While it may seem counterintuitive to sacrifice your time to create a plan when you already feel behind, taking the time to develop a plan can make all the difference between happy exhaustion and burnout. Time is an asset that needs to be effectively budgeted. Your talent is valuable, but there is no substitute for planning and preparation. By creating a plan and following it, you can set manageable daily goals that allow you to go home each day feeling accomplished and clearly understand what awaits you the next day. Don't forget to plan for yourself, too. Plan to leave early on Fridays. All the other days can be workdays if you want, but you need a day for fun. Fridays are for fun! You should not be in

We've all been there, and here are three tips to help you navigate through:

YOU ARE NOT ALONE There are more than 2,500 ag teachers in Texas and every single one is feeling this weight. Today is the day to reach out to your ag teacher, mentor, or friend in the same profession.

BONUS TIP

the schoolhouse after 3 p.m. on Fridays.

Keep the first thing first! Remember that you don't live to work; you work to live. When you go home, hug your family. Call your parents and tell them you love them. You will have a new set of students to teach every year, but you only have one family. Ag teachers have an unusually high divorce rate, so don't become a statistic. It can be challenging to switch off the ag teacher mode, but to your family, you are a mom, dad, son, or daughter, not just Mr. or Ms. Make sure they know that they are important too.

A helpful tip for planning: How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time! Be realistic and remember that you can't accomplish everything in one sitting.

IT'S OKAY TO DROP THE BALL! Every ag teacher is a juggler, juggling dozens of items simultaneously. But here's a secret that no one tells you: everything you juggle doesn't require equal attention at the same time. It's okay to set things down. If you're feeling stressed out and need a day to breathe, take it! You have personal days for a reason.

CHRISTIAN

TEACHER OF THE YEAR Quote Excerpts from the Wise County Messenger By Brendan Marchand

wanted to build the program organically and demonstrate to her students that their hard work would grow the program.

griculture Teachers Association of Texas member and ag teacher Brooke Stewart was recently named Christian Teacher of the Year and advocates for ag education in private schools. She is currently the advisor for Victory FFA at Victory Christian Academy in Decatur, Texas.

The hard work from the students and Stewart paid off immensely, growing from just a classroom to trailers, trucks, an additional ag teacher, and a full K-12 program. “We’re stewards of land, stewards of animals, and really stewards of people,” Stewart said. “When you love God and apply it to your life and apply it to the classroom as much as you can, it flows easily.”

“Everything we do is based on careers, leadership, personal development – those kinds of things. I feel very strongly that these career and technical programs, like agriculture, are integral to the longevity of our nation.”

....

Stewart was recognized as Christian Teacher of the Year by the Herzog Foundation, an award given to only 12 Christian educators nationwide.

FFA is integral to a systematic school-based agricultural science instructional program. Private and Christian schools may establish agricultural science instructional programs following the State Plan for Career and Technical Education program guidelines and charter an FFA chapter in the same manner as a public school. For more information email Gwenn@ texasffa.org.

When the school’s leadership asked what she needed to start the ag program, Stewart stuck to the roots of education and said all she needed was a classroom and kids to teach. She

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December holiday hours & closures: Dec. 22nd: closed @ noon Dec. 25th closed all day Dec. 29th: closed @ noon

TO THE TEXAS AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE EDUCATION FAMILY FALL 2023 STUDENT TEACHERS

1940 - 2023

83 y e a rs

of the

AGRICULTURE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS and

A NEW ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP RECORD of

2,524 18

TEACHER RESOURCE

AGRICULTURE EDUCATION RESOURCES

BRINGING COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS IN THE CLASSROOM BY: M I CH E L L E VA S B I N D E R P R O F E S S I O N A L D E V E L O P M E N T C O O R D I N AT O R A G R I C U LT U R E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I AT I O N O F T E X A S

DONATIONS

he term partnership has more than one definition. Here, the definition we will use is an agreement or collaboration between two people or entities that has mutual benefits. The future workforce is in your classroom, and prospective employers are interested.

Teachers are constantly looking for ways to keep pricey hands-on experiences as budgets get tighter. Donations are a great way to collect materials needed and an excellent way for a community member or business to partner with the school. Some examples of this are having community members donate plant cuttings or asking local hardware stores for seeds at the end of the season. In addition, many metal companies will donate usable scrap they can not sell, local floral shops and grocery stores can donate their expired flowers, allowing for a short shelf life project or practice, and the list goes on. It can not hurt to ask!

When looking beyond the partnerships in your chapter or school business, there is also a place for partnerships in the classroom. Let’s explore areas where you can bring supporters in to strengthen your curriculum and program.

GUEST SPEAKERS One of the easiest ways to partner with community businesses and professionals is through guest speakers. Having students hear from professionals in your community is a great experience and allows them to make connections that can benefit their future. With technology, this can be done via video call, allowing you to bring in conveniently more speakers.

INTERNSHIPS AND PRACTICUM Many companies are looking for student interns. However, if they are not looking for them, they may be able to be talked into them. Look into partnering with local businesses to provide a great hands-on learning experience through intern work.

CLASSROOM RAN BUSINESSES

FIELD TRIPS

The opportunity to operate a business from the classroom is vast. Examples are shop projects, grooming services, floral design services, or flowers of the month operations. Search your community for businesses and find areas of need you can partner in. Dog shelters needing kennels built, popular restaurants that put fresh flowers on their dining tables, and veterinary boarding wanting to offer grooming. The list goes on.

Arguably, the most fun partnerships can bring field trips. Allowing students to be immersed in content is a great way to learn. We know that field trips are not always economically feasible and can be limited by the district. However, researching opportunities could deliver surprising results. In addition, many virtual field trips allow students the same benefits. 19

BY: K Y L E H A M P E L N AT I O N A L F FA N E W S R O O M

AMERICAN STAR IN AGRIBUSINESS FINALISTS SAM RAYBURN-IVANHOE FFA MEMBER HONORED AS ONE OF THE TOP AGRIBUSINESS SAEs IN THE NATION

ike many people in agriculture-adjacent industries, Weston Whiteside is responsible for helping with the family business — but Whiteside, a member of Sam Rayburn FFA in Ivanhoe, Texas, said his family’s landscaping work had humble beginnings. “My dad [is] a firefighter in the McKinney Fire Department, and it was just something to keep him busy and have a little extra cash,” Whiteside said. “I don’t think he ever thought it would turn into something like this.” Whiteside bought Whiteside Landscaping from his father in 2016, and for the past seven years he has been running it with the help of his brother. They offer a variety of landscaping services, including mowing, weed control, leaf blowing, tree trimming, shrub cleaning, flower planting and more. They also hang Christmas lights to stay busy in the winter. Since 2016, Whiteside Landscaping has grown from serving eight clients to 65 clients. Whiteside said he is proud of how much the business has expanded over the years, and he says he couldn’t have done it without his family and FFA advisors.

“It’s turned into something now that’s helped me pay for college,” Whiteside said. “When you’re a teenage kid, you want money for girlfriends and trucks and stuff like that. It paid for that and much more.” Whiteside is currently majoring in agribusiness at the College of the Ozarks in Missouri. He said he’ll return to his landscaping company after graduating, but for now, he’s focused on playing baseball for the Bobcats as long as he can. Whiteside said his favorite professional teams are the Rangers and the Dodgers. For FFA members interested in starting a supervised agricultural experience (SAE), Whiteside said his advice is to never give up, even when things are tough. “There’s going to be times where you really just don’t want to,” Whiteside said. “But it paid off for me, so it can pay off for anyone else. … It’s going to suck, but you’ve just got to keep going.”

TEXAS FARM BUREAU WANTS YOUR HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS TO APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS! We award over $235,000 in scholarships each year. Applications are due March 1, 2024 Scan the QR code or visit https://txfb.us/tfbscholarships for more information.

Share Your Vision! The Texas Education Agency invites you to submit your photos of CTE students and programs for the statewide CTE Photo Library. Attention CTE administrators and teachers: We have an exciting opportunity that you won't want to miss. Become a part of the dynamic CTE Photo Library and unlock the potential to advocate and celebrate your programs across the state. Join us as we showcase your incredible students and programs. Let’s make a lasting impact together! • Showcase high-quality CTE programs • Raise awareness and interest in CTE in Texas

• Enhance opportunities for students to shine • Ignite a passion for learning in CTE

For submission guidelines and details scan the QR code to the right or visit https://sites.google.com/resourcesforlearning.net/tea-cte-photo-library For questions email CTEPhotos@resourcesforlearning.net 21

HIGHLIGHTING FAMILIES IN AG EDUCATION JACK, BECKY AND SAM DESHAZO FATHER, MOTHER AND SON WORKING WITH YOUR SPOUSE, WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ASPECT OF YOUR WORKDAY? "Jack and I never got to teach together officially, but when I started the Crowley FFA chapter, and Jack was at Aledo FFA, our school districts allowed us to travel together on the same bus. We took all our children with us; they went everywhere we went. Sam was two weeks old when he attended his first greenhand camp." - BECKY (MOTHER)

HAVE YOU EVER HAD TO COMPETE AGAINST YOUR FAMILY MEMBER? IF SO, IS THERE A BIT OF A FRIENDLY RIVALRY?

"I picked up two of the CDE teams I have trained consistently from my parents—Dairy Cattle Evaluation and Floriculture. Every year I have taught, there has been a friendly rivalry with a bit of trash-talking. But at the end of the day, we all want each other's team members to do well and succeed. 'Mr. DeShazo, your parents are so much cooler than you,' is a common statement from my students after they have been around my parents at contests." - SAM (SON) "Yes, I have competed against both Jack and Sam. Of course, we all wanted our teams to come out on top, but we did what we could to help the other family members. Now, my teams recognize Sam and comment that we need to beat his team, and his team feels the same. But it is definitely a friendly rivalry! I love seeing how the students respect and interact with Sam." - BECKY (MOTHER)

HOW DOES IT FEEL TO WATCH YOUR CHILD FOLLOW IN YOUR CAREER FOOTSTEPS? "It is very rewarding to watch him build his own chapter and career. To see his excitement and dedication to our profession fills us with pride. It is humbling to know that he works hard to be a good ag teacher and will be better than we ever were." - BECKY (MOTHER)

WHY DO YOU THINK AG EDUCATION IS SO IMPORTANT? HOW DOES THIS PLAY INTO YOUR FAMILY’S INVOLVEMENT? "Agricultural education is important because it emphasizes the backbone of our country and world: agriculture. My family became involved in education because of the relationships you build with students and colleagues while also educating the future on an industry we are passionate about." - SAM (SON)

TO ALL OF OUR MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES FROM THE AGRICULTURE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS 23

BY: K Y L E H A M P E L N AT I O N A L F FA N E W S R O O M

AMERICAN STAR FARMER FINALISTS GRANDVIEW FFA MEMBER HONORED AS ONE OF THE TOP PRODUCTION AGRICULTURE SAEs IN THE NATION

hile most people tend to say that dogs or cats are their favorite animals, Callie Welty knew from a young age that her favorite animals are Brahman cattle. “I fell in love with Brahman cattle when I was little, and so I just kind of built on that love as I grew up,” Welty said. “Brahman cattle are very intelligent and they definitely have a personality. … When I was in third grade, I had one that actually played hide and seek with me.” Welty was born into a cattle ranching family, and she said her mother and aunt introduced her to the Brahman — a breed known for distinctive humpbacks and long, floppy ears. Before she was a member of Grandview FFA in Texas, Welty began raising a Brahman herd when she was in third grade. Welty said she has been maintaining her herd with the help of her family for over a decade, and she has no plans to stop. But Welty has a second passion that forms the other half of her supervised agricultural experience (SAE): public speaking. “When I started doing 4-H and FFA, I kind of decided I don’t get

nervous talking to people,” Welty said. “Being in front of a crowd actually excites me.” In addition to raising her own Brahman cattle, Welty also does social media management, livestock photography, marketing and other public-facing services for fellow Brahman breeders around the world. Her media and industry outreach work has taken her to Asia, South America, Europe and various parts of the U.S. She also does interviews for the Cowboy Channel as a summer job. “As an only child, I love to have my fingers in everything and I like to try everything,” Welty said. Welty is currently majoring in agricultural communications and journalism at Texas A&M University. She said she’d like to get a job in agricultural media or public relations someday, but she’ll always want to maintain her Brahman herd on the side. For FFA members wanting to start an SAE, Welty said her best advice is to keep an open mind and turn whatever you’re passionate about into an SAE. “I’ve seen lots of people start their own SAEs through raising dogs or raising cats,” Welty said. “I think there’s an opportunity for every FFA member no matter where you live or where you are.”

POSTER PD DIGITIZING YOUR TEACHER TEAM THE “TODO LIST“ APP FOR YOUR PHONE IS AN EASY WAY TO TRACK YOUR LISTS TO DO. IF YOU MAKE SEPARATE LISTS LIKE THINGS TO DO FOR FFA MEETING, THINGS TO DO FOR CLASS, ETC. THIS APP IS FOR YOU, THE FUNCTION OF YOUR MULTIPLE POT IT NOTES WITH THE CONVIENCE OF IT BEING ON YOUR PHONE.

WHETHER YOU ARE A PART OF A LARGE AVERAGE, OR EVEN SMALL TEACHER TEAM KEEPING EVERYONE ON ONE PAGE IS CRITICAL. LEARN HERE DIFFERENT EASY APPLICATION YOU CAN USE THAT CAN DIGITIZE YOUR TEAM MAKING LIFE EASIER AND KEEPING EVERYONE ON THE SAME PAGE ELIMINATING MISCOMMUNICATIONS.

GROUP ME IS GREAT FOR COMMUNICATING WITH GROUPS OF TEACHERS, WITH PARENTS, TEAMS, AND EVEN LIVESTOCK SHOW GROUPS. IF DOES KEEP YOUR INFORMATION PRIVATE MAKING IT A TEACHER SAFE WAY TO COMMUNICATE. UTILIZE THE AET PROGRAM CALENDAR TO KEEP UPDATED EVENTS. YOU CAN PUSH THE CALENDAR TO YOUR GOOGLE CALENDAR TO STAY CONSISTENT. PARENTS CAN ADD THE CHAPTERS GOOGLE CALENDAR TO THEIR APP/PHONE TO STAY IN THE LOOP. TRACK YOUR WORKED HOURS THROUGH AET TEACHER TRACKER. YOU CAN TRACK IN CONTRACT AND OUT OF CONTRACT HOURS. IT IS ALWAYS GOOD PRACTICE TO TRACK YOUR TIME IF YOU NEED DATA TO JUSTIFY YOUR EXTENDED CONTRACT OR JUST SHOW THE TIME SPENT.

TO CREATE ADVERTISMENTS FOR EVENTS CANVA IS AN EASY TOOL TO USE. YOU CAN EVEN CREATE A TEAM WITH YOUR OTHER TEACHERS AND ALL SHARE ACCESS TO CREATIONS. YOU CAN ADD STUDENTS TO YOUR TEAM AS WELL AND ALLOW THEM TO HELP CREATE. THE KEY TO MARKETING YOUR EVENTS IS CONSISTANCY. USE THE SAME FLYER ON ALL SOCIAL MEDIA, EMAILS, AND IN ALL CLASSROOM OR HALLWAY ADVERTISMENTS. IF YOU HAVE SIGN UPS UTILIZE QR CODES TO LINK. YOU CAN UTILIZE GOOGLE FORMS TO DOCUMENT QUICKLY. EXAMPLE WOULD BE BARN INCCEDENETS, CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR, ETC. YOU CAN ADD THE FORM ON YOUR PHONE HOME SCREEN FOR QUICK AND CONVIENT ADDS.

SMORE IS A FREE AND EASY TO SET UP NEWSLETTER. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SPEND HOURS DESIGNING AND WITH THE LINK MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES CAN GET UPDATED INFORMATION.

CONTACT

FOR MORE RESOURCES ON THIS TOPIC VISIT

JENNIFER GILBREATH JGILBREATH@AUBREYISD.NET

TRACI BROOM TBROOM@AUBREYISD.NET

A G R I C U LT U R E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I AT I O N O F T E X A S

PARTNERSHIPS THAT BOND US

BY: T ROY O L I V E R P R E S I D E N T O F T H E A G R I C U LT U R E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I AT I O N O F T E X A S A N D S E A LY H I G H S C H O O L A G R I C U LT U R E S C I E N C E T E A C H E R

relationships. Which makes us a partner in preparing our students for personal growth, career success, and whatever comes next.

his past August, I was privileged to experience the Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas Hall of Fame inductions as a presenter. All are my heroes, each deserving of the honor for a lifetime of impacting their schools, communities, our profession, and students. As the session wrapped up, I was overwhelmed by the energy that resonated from those honored and those present to celebrate the inductees who had impacted them as family, teachers, friends, and mentors. It brought me to a thought: "What are the commonalities of all those inducted into the Hall of Fame?"

It is proven that positive relationships between students and teachers lead to higher academic success, improved attendance, and more positive outcomes. Ag teachers, continue to do what you do to foster partnerships within your program. The time you spend with your students is a gift, and you should know those relationships make a difference in the lives of your students. In education and our ag programs, we may struggle to meet expectations unless we cultivate relationships with stakeholders in our schools and communities. We benefit when we build school and community support through partnerships. We excel when parents and others become invested partners in the educational process as members of our booster clubs, alumni, young farmers groups, etc. What do you do at your local level to build relationships or partnerships that are critical to your success?

The impact, the passion driving their work ethic, the knowledge, kindness, their willingness to share their time, talent, and resources? Without a doubt, these were commonalities. A cornerstone of each inductee's legacy is the relationships they built with their students, schools, communities, and within ag education. Call them whatever you want, but the partnerships that develop from those relationships are foundational to all we do. For example, the fundamentals of a successful teacher are the relationships we build with our students. When students feel supported, connected, and cared for, we are more likely to have positive outcomes.

“A UNIQUE AND SPECIAL PARTNERSHIP EXISTS ACROSS OUR STATE WITH OVER 2,600 ACTIVE, ASSOCIATE AND STUDENT MEMBERS WITHIN THE AGRICULTURE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS.”

If we throw humility out the window for a second, ag programs and ag teachers are built ideally to foster positive partnerships with students. The time we spend with them at stock shows, on the bus, contests, practices, classrooms, camps, and conventions gives us a unique opportunity to build 26

Do you recruit the right partners and engage in collaboration and communication? A fundamental is to build awareness, ownership, trust, and engagement. Do these efforts benefit all involved mutually? Partners often bring resources, but equally if not more critical to the partnership are knowledge, networks, willingness to advocate, cheerleaders, and many more advantages.

heroes, mentors, ag teachers, and friends modeled a successful life of impact through the relationships they built into partnerships. The bond that exists within your programs and across ag education extends beyond the handshake we share at events or the appreciation we acknowledge for the occasional favor. We are all partners in meeting the ATAT mission and are dedicated to advancing ag education. The common goal of impacting students through our programs, shared commitment, friendships, and similar goals extends beyond our local programs. The partnership across our profession is real, vital, and essential to our survival emotionally and physically in remaining purposeful and impactful locally and beyond.

Switching focus from the community to the school, do we work equally hard to foster partnerships at the school community level? Circling back to the hall of fame, I would guess many had strong relationships throughout their schools. Administrators, fellow teachers, counselors, and support staff were vital partners in the direction of their programs. They were trusted and involved with dual ownership in the students' success in their programs.

At the center of what we do for our students is the partnership we foster; they extend to those relationships we build in our school and communities. We share goals and are supported in all we do by the team that exists within the ag ed family. The thread that runs through all ag teachers inevitably ties us together and remains essential to each of us. Just like our heroes who have been inducted into the hall of fame, we benefit most when we invest, cultivate, recognize, and take deliberate steps in building partnerships in our pursuit to impact our students.

As you reflect on your program, ask yourself, "What am I doing to build partnerships in my school and community?" Our ag ed family is built on shared goals of the Texas FFA Association, Texas FFA Foundation, and Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas. We are all partners in building a stronger, more sustainable, and dynamic model of ag education. We are all partners in making ag education and Texas FFA successful in providing our students with the best experience.

I am beyond grateful for the relationships you cultivate into partnerships; keep doing what you do in "Growing our Future!" From my heart T.O. yours.

We each have roles within this partnership that are vital historically, now, and in the future. I have great respect and admire what each brings to the partnership. Where would each member be of the ag ed family without the support of the other? What would ag education look like in Texas without the role each executes? We are strong and impactful because of the unique partnership that exists.

“THE BOND THAT EXISTS WITHIN YOUR PROGRAMS AND ACROSS AG EDUCATION EXTENDS BEYOND THE HANDSHAKE WE SHARE AT EVENTS OR THE APPRECIATION WE ACKNOWLEDGE FOR THE OCCASIONAL FAVOR.”

Lastly, ag teachers, a unique and special partnership exists across our state with over 2,600 active, associate and student members within the Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas. As the closing session of the conference honored the Hall of Fame Inductees, each of us in the building had a connection to those being honored. Our 27

T E X A S F FA F O U N DAT I O N

THANK YOU OUR PARTNERS’ GENEROUS SUPPORT HELPS US ENSURE A STRONG FINANCIAL FUTURE FOR TEXAS FFA PROGRAMMING. WE WANT TO SINCERELY THANK THEM FOR THEIR GENEROSITY!

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MOLLY & ANDY CHRITENSEN DAVID & TERRI KREBS JACE & CHANDA ORREN AARON ALEJANDRO

A G R I C U LT U R E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I AT I O N O F T E X A S

CONFERECE SPONSORS HERMAN AND BOBBI WILSON

DUCKS UNLIMITED HOLT CAT TEXAS AUCTIONEERS ASSOCIATION SAFETY FIRST SOUTHERN FLORAL FORT WORTH STOCK SHOW & RODEO

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A G R I C U LT U R E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I AT I O N O F T E X A S

PARTNERSHIPS AND THEIR IMPORTANCE

TO AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION BY: R AY P I E N I A Z E K A G R I C U LT U R E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I AT I O N O F T E X A S E X E C U T I V E D I R E C T O R

your community can become if you encourage your ag students to be involved in all community activities, creating shared responsibility for all its citizens. It helps build a stronger sense of community and helps develop your community infrastructure. Your students should then develop a sense of pride in the community.

ast issue, we discussed the importance of our programs in developing the workforce for our community and agricultural world. One way to ensure we do this is to create partnerships with our community. In most communities, there are many groups to develop partnerships with so that your students and your program thrive.

Developing these partnerships will take some time. Involve your members, parents, school leaders, and alumni to help you identify who might be good partners. Not only are you looking at partnerships for classroom resources, but you are also looking for ways to help your community and local businesses grow. Ultimately, the outcomes of creating these partnerships and what they can contribute to your students and community will be well worth your time and effort. Look for organizations, businesses, government agencies, and local community groups who may have education as part of the plans or those interested in supporting education.

An article from the National Math and Science Institute discusses the importance of creating these partnerships as they will provide a variety of ways that lead to higher student achievement. They state that "with local businesses, professionals and organizations involved, students receive access to additional resources and real-world learning experiences that may be unavailable within a traditional classroom setting." It also allows schools to enhance their current resources, including "additional learning materials, tutoring services, funding for extracurricular activities and facilities for school events." All of these "resources that significantly contribute to the overall education experience for students." They also state that "community engagement can be crucial in promoting parental involvement in their children's education." Furthermore, research published by the National Center for Family and Community Connections with Schools revealed that "schools with high community engagement had a more substantial rate of parental involvement." If you are creating partnerships in your communities, think how much stronger

You will need to think through what you

“NOT ONLY ARE YOU LOOKING AT PARTNERSHIPS FOR CLASSROOM RESOURCES, BUT YOU ARE ALSO LOOKING FOR WAYS TO HELP YOUR COMMUNITY AND LOCAL BUSINESSES GROW.” 30

“PARTNERSHIPS ARE A VALUABLE TOOL WHEN BRINGING RESOURCES TO THE CLASSROOM, DEVELOPING WORKFORCES FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES, AND BUILDING A DIRECT CONNECTION WITH LOCAL LEADERS.”

A N E XC E R P T F R O M A PA S T A G R I C U LT U R E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I AT I O N OF TEXAS NEWSLETTER

THINKING

want to accomplish through partnerships. Is it practicums or work-based learning opportunities, guest speakers in the classroom, or money to develop classroom resources? Or is it simply to help your students be involved in the community? By having clear objectives, you can target those groups who might benefit most from the partnership. If you want the partnership to work, it will have to be beneficial to both parties involved. If you are asking for resources, what will the group or business get from their contribution of resources?

OF THE

PAST

YEARS

When setting up these partnerships, communication with the group will be essential. It is important to provide regular updates for all parties involved to state what is happening and the results of their engagement. Effectively communicating the goals and results of the partnership will be key to continuing to work to benefit all parties. Sharing the partnership's successes through multiple media forms will help showcase the great things you are doing to promote the community and agricultural education in your community.

MEMBERSHIP REPORT 1988-1989 The Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas membership records reflected 1,416 total teachers with indcators that 42 were female ag teachers. TEA data showed a total of 983 programs across the state, with a majority being one-teacher departments at 611. The highest number of teachers in a single department was four, reported at only eight schools.

Partnerships are a valuable tool when bringing resources to the classroom, developing workforces for local communities, and building a direct connection with local leaders. Take advantage of the opportunities that are available in your communities.

T E X A S F FA A S S O C I AT I O N

THE PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL BENEFITS OF PARTNERSHIPS BY: J E N N I F E R JACK S O N T E X A S F FA A S S O C I AT I O N E X E C U T I V E D I R E C T O R

t some point in your career, I'll bet someone has encouraged you to work in a group to create a shared goal. Hearing phrases like PLC, Think-Pair-Share, or Campus Improvement Team can make your skin crawl but I believe there's magic in the concept of collaboration and partnerships.

of the duties for our jobs. Oftentimes, you will get the job done faster and feel better about it yourself if you have the validation and teamwork of those around you, which enables you to constantly build on the knowledge of others. Partnering with others enables us to: • Leverage complementary skill sets and resources • Share risk and responsibility • Pool ideas and creativity • Gain new knowledge and perspective • Create greater output (accomplis more)

Personal opinion or fact, Brooks wouldn't be much without Dunn, Fall wouldn't be nearly as enjoyable without football, soap is rarely effective without water, and locks would be no good without a key. Some things are just better together. Teamwork really does make the dream work. Kobe Bryant didn't win five NBA championships by himself, and Travis Kelce may be one of the greatest tight ends of all time, but he didn't win two Super Bowls by himself either. To that end, Texas FFA wouldn't be nearly as great without our partners at the Texas FFA Foundation and the Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas and the 1000+ chapters in Texas wouldn't be nearly the same without support from teachers, parents, and community members.

Forbes reported in a 2017 study comparing independent and team challenges that 64% of individuals stuck to a task or a goal longer if they were working collaboratively vs. independently. The same study found that those engaged in collaborative efforts experienced higher levels of engagement, lower levels of fatigue, and higher levels of success. Our industry is blessed by the leaders and members of the team ag ed family who came before us. They showed us how to be effective FFA advisors and impactful classroom teachers. They paved the

I provide these examples as a means to justify the fact that while we all have the ability to work productively by ourselves, we are often even more effective and efficient if we are open to the idea of collaborating with others to tackle a job. Many industries use the term joint venture, which means to afford each access to the resources or capital of the other partnerships. In this generation, and certainly in this field, we must concede to the fact that we need partners to assist us in accomplishing all

“THE BEST PARTNERSHIPS TAKE WORK BUT ULTIMATELY PRODUCE THE GREATEST OUTCOME." 32

way and intended this road to be traveled with your trusted allies-members, friends, partners, and community members who will work with you to accomplish your goals. While we often feel like a burden if we ask for help or let our pride prevent us from admitting a job would be easier and more effective with the help of a partner, you don’t have to do everything alone.

in all areas of our lives. I’ve compiled a list below of what I believe to be the five partnerships you need to be successful in your life.

FAITH We are blessed to live in a country with many freedoms that include access to resources that satisfy our basic needs, and yet, we live in a flawed, ever-changing world. Change is scary, but we must have faith that a greater power will enable us to change the things we can and (say it with me) accept the things we can’t. A lot of times you have to rely on faith to allow yourself to trust others so that you have the partnerships you need to meet your full potential.

The right partnership might be the difference between your chapter awarding one scholarship to graduating seniors and awarding 12. It may look like volunteers coming to judge your chapter officer elections, provide feedback for your state advancing team, or a group providing dinner for your chapter members while helping build the homecoming float. These partnerships matter, they provide greater resources and opportunities to your members, they ease the burden of your job, and they help establish community within the cities and towns where we reside. These are all ingredients for incredible experiences for your FFA member and your family. Go the extra mile now to establish a network in your school and community, invite key stakeholders to take part in your advisory committee, sit down with your teaching partners and develop a plan to tackle the rest of the year. While all of these tasks take time and effort now, they’ll save you time later and offer much greater rewards.

FAMILY AND FRIENDS There are not a lot of qualities I place higher than loyalty. Loyal are those in your life who sing your praises in public and provide critiques in private, who lift you up on your worst days. Those are the partnerships that matter most. Make those relationships a priority because when the jobs change or the situations shift, it’s these “partners” who will still be beside you.

SOMEONE YOU CAN HELP Helping others often involves stepping outside of your comfort zone and maybe even spending time you don’t really have to help someone else meet their own goals. Helping others often challenges us to find greater understanding or mastery of certain skills and provides short bursts of endorphins that lead to increased productivity levels. So the next time you spend a little extra time explaining something to a teaching partner or making a conscious effort to truly mentor a student teacher, know that you are contributing to the future of our organization and every little bit helps.

Partnerships have the ability to benefit us

“PARTNERSHIPS CAN BE INCREDIBLY INFLUENTIAL IN OUR PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LIVES IF WE CHOOSE THOSE PARTNERSHIPS CAREFULLY, ESTABLISH CLEAR BOUNDARIES, AND MAINTAIN OPEN COMMUNICATION TO ENSURE THE PARTNERSHIPS ARE SUCCESSFUL AND LASTING."

SOMEONE TO LOOK UP TO Mentorships are one of the most significant partnerships we can have as they 33

to get the lesser version of you. We are all at our best when we feel rested and limit the time we spend “spread too thin.”

play a crucial role in personal and professional development. It's crucial to have a few people in your corner who challenge you, provide honest feedback, and serve as a trusted sounding board. We should all strive to be lifelong learners and have mentors teach us through their behaviors and feedback. Our industry has so many "wise owls" that serve as a constant resource for our teachers and members.

The best partnerships take work but ultimately produce the greatest outcome. Henry Ford said "Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success." Partnerships can be incredibly influential in our personal and professional lives if we choose those partnerships carefully, establish clear boundaries, and maintain open communication to ensure the partnerships are successful and lasting. Choose partners whose goals and values align with yours. Give yourself this collaborative advantage because the sum of us is always greater than our individual parts. We move the needle further when we ask for help, pool our talent and resources, and partner with others.

YOU If you’ve known me for any amount of time you’ve heard me say that you can’t pour from an empty cup. If you aren’t fulfilled and motivated by what you’re doing or you aren’t prioritizing your needs, you’re not going to be left with much to give. To be a great partner to others, you must first be a good partner to yourself. If you’re not getting enough sleep or your job is a constant stressor; your family, teaching partners, and students are going

AG TEACHER TOPIC VCPR & ANTIBIOTICS USE IN LIVESTOCK WITH

DR. DEE ELLIS TEXAS A&M AGRILIFE VETERINARIAN HOSTED BY THE AGRICULTURE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS

If you supervise livestock projects or manage a show barn of livestock projects, you need to stay in the legal loop on how to assist with the medical care of student’s animals within the VCPR construct. Recent changes have occurred to the availability of over-the-counter antibiotics for use in livestock, including show animals. You can no longer buy and administer antibiotics without a veterinarian. As the ag teacher, you must develop a formal written relationship with your local veterinarian to legally obtain and administer antibiotics to animals on behalf of their students. As of June 2023, over-the-counter antibiotics are no longer available without a prescription from a veterinarian, which includes prior creation of a Veterinary Client Patient Relationship (VCPR) with the owner and assigned caretaker of the animals. 35

SCAN TO WATCH

T E X A S F FA F O U N DAT I O N

NONE OF US IS AS

STRONG AS ALL OF US BY: A A RO N A L E JA N D RO T E X A S F FA F O U N DAT I O N E X E C U T I V E D I R E C T O R

“

Explain to me again exactly what it is the Foundation does?” This is a common question among Texas agricultural science teachers. I wished more teachers could see the workings “behind the scenes” regarding the scope of what the Foundation accomplishes. On the surface, many view the Foundation as the “fundraiser” for the Texas FFA, but it is much more than that. Teachers, sponsors, and individuals alike are pleasantly surprised to learn of the many ways the Foundation is engaged for a stronger Texas agricultural science and FFA program. The partnership relationships we have formed – and are forming – create opportunities for students and teachers to excel while connecting stakeholders to our members, parents, teachers, and other professional networks.

the development of financial resources, key collaborations, and sponsorship relations, which strengthen our position in the Texas educational and youth development landscape. Here are a few ways we are building successful business relationships and strategies to support Texas Team Ag Ed.

Let’s be clear, fundraising is a must, and we need everyone’s help to be successful. Foundation executes key strategies for

Collaborative Networks – The strong networks we have created provide “win-win” collaborations for all involved.

“FOUNDATION EXECUTES KEY STRATEGIES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF FINANCIAL RESOURCES, KEY COLLABORATIONS AND SPONSORSHIP RELATIONS WHICH STRENGTHEN OUR POSITION IN THE TEXAS EDUCATIONAL AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT LANDSCAPE."

Communication – Effective communication with stakeholders allows us to gain insights to help them make the most of their relationship with the Texas FFA.

First, let’s identify some elements of successful business relationships and how we utilize them. Be Authentic – Agricultural science education and the FFA are unique brands. With 96 years of brand equity, we can share the genuine talents, goals, aspirations, and accomplishments of our students and teachers.

Trust – In the words of Zig Ziglar, “If they know you, they will listen to you. If they trust you, they will do business with you.” We make “trust” a priority with our stakeholders. Strategic alliances are benefiting us all. Here are some specific ways the Foundation is engaged to be of assistance. 36

tworks, and learning from others. Here’s what strong relations can mean to us all.

“HELPING THE FOUNDATION IS ABOUT SERVING, LEADERSHIP, STEWARDSHIP, AND LEGACY."

• Understanding others improves collaboration. • More insight into emerging opportunities. • Critical feedback for performance validation and ways to improve. • Learning from the innovations, leadership, and insights of others. • Creating a higher level of presence for Texas agricultural science education and the FFA.

Sustainable Development – As our program continues to grow, so do our needs for capital for students, teachers, and affiliate organizations. Raise, spend, raise, and spend is not a sustainable development model. The Texas FFA Association, ATAT, and Texas FFA Foundation are in a strong financial position because of our sustainable development efforts. Strategic Alliance Development - We share a common message and approach to promoting our interests. Our seamless message will be heard more clearly by those watching our programs. We engage leaders within our sponsorship ranks to lend us their professional insights into improving, developing, and promoting our vision.

“Explain to me again exactly what it is the Foundation does?” I hope this helps. Students and teachers are becoming increasingly engaged in asking, “What can I do to help the Foundation?” Helping the Foundation is about serving, leadership, stewardship, and legacy. United we stand…divided we’re stuck.

Innovative Promotions – The Foundation has played a key role in the progression of agricultural science and the Texas FFA program in a technology-driven business and communication environment. Visioning and executing local chapter FFA websites and launching the promotional and user-friendly MyTexasFFA.org are both elements of innovation noticed by stakeholders. The Foundation utilizes modern technologies in agriculture, science, and communication.

Happy Birthday Texas FFA Legacy Style

Advocacy – We are harnessing professional networks beyond our “traditional” ranks of supporters and advocates. Credible voices in a “non-agricultural” world lend value and third-party endorsement to our efforts to create students grounded in sound academics and equipped with positive life skills (soft skills), making them more marketable and competitive in an international marketplace.

We’d be honored to have your help in giving the best gift ever - $1 Million. You can provide a dedicated gift for the Texas FFA Convention Endowment.

Strong business relationships are essential to our success. We all benefit from expanded opportunities, professional ne37

How:

Where:

Do you know anyone who loves and believes in the Texas FFA? Maybe you? Create a birthday fundraiser with a minimum goal of $100.

You can donate through the Facebook Birthday Portal or Texas FFA Foundation Donor Perfect website.

T E X A S F FA A L U M N I A N D SUPPORTERS

U P D AT E S B Y: K E L LY W H I T E , T E X A S F FA A L U M N I P R E S I D E N T

“IMAGINE YOURSELF AS A LIVING HOUSE. GOD COMES IN TO REBUILD THAT HOUSE. AT FIRST, PERHAPS, YOU CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT HE IS DOING. HE IS GETTING THE DRAINS RIGHT AND STOPPING THE LEAKS IN THE ROOF AND SO ON; YOU KNEW THAT THOSE JOBS NEEDED DOING AND SO YOU ARE NOT SURPRISED. BUT PRESENTLY HE STARTS KNOCKING THE HOUSE ABOUT IN A WAY THAT HURTS ABOMINABLY AND DOES NOT SEEM TO MAKE ANY SENSE. WHAT ON EARTH IS HE UP TO? THE EXPLANATION IS THAT HE IS BUILDING QUITE A DIFFERENT HOUSE FROM THE ONE YOU THOUGHT OF – THROWING OUT A NEW WING HERE, PUTTING ON AN EXTRA FLOOR THERE, RUNNING UP TOWERS, MAKING COURTYARDS. YOU THOUGHT YOU WERE BEING MADE INTO A DECENT LITTLE COTTAGE: BUT HE IS BUILDING A PALACE. HE INTENDS TO COME AND LIVE IN IT HIMSELF.” - CS LEWIS

are said and done? We will have a very nice working facility and the items we need to function. However, with everything in life, there may be a few hiccups and flaws along the way. Growing Pains. Texas ag education has experienced "growing pains" in the past few decades. We have seen our membership triple since the 1980's. I believe our leadership has worked to ease these pains with a high amount of honesty and dignity to serve our students in a transparent manner.

t was the day after the school bond election. Good news! The bond that included money for the ag department passed. Everything in the bond will soon be a reality - a new barn, barn upgrades, a new truck, a new trailer, facility and shop upgrades. Work began would begin this past summer. My teaching partner spent a great deal of his summer attending planning meetings. We knew it would be a long process and that things wouldn't just appear overnight. We were anxious about the construction and transition period.

The Texas FFA Alumni and Supporters have also experienced growth in the past decade. We have seen increased scholarships, grants, Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas support, and other financial happenings. We appreciated the generous support from sponsors, advisors, the state FFA staff, and the ATAT staff. Have you considered establishing a FFA Alumni & Supporters affiliate in your local chapter? We welcome you to be a part of our growth!

The interim plans included consolidating the lambs and goats into the pig barn. However, additional changes, questions, and complaints came with the consolidation. What wash-rack do we use? We never did it this way. Where do we clip our animals? The lighting is terrible in this part of the barn. The lamb kids are not emptying their trash cans. I popped a breaker. We never had this problem in the old barn. When will this be finished? The phrase "growing pains" was the consistent response to their complaints.

“THE TEXAS FFA ALUMNI AND SUPPORTERS HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED GROWTH IN THE PAST DECADE.”

We are extremely appreciative that the voters in our district approved these measures for our program. And when all things 38

WHAT’S YOUR WARRIOR? GOARMY.COM

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ACTIVE

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

LOBBYIST WORKING FOR INTEREST INVOLVING AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE EDUCATION AND RELATED TEACHERS

TIMELY LEGISLATIVE UPDATES CONCERNING AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE EDUCATION

ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FEE IS WAIVED

ACCESS TO LEGAL ASSISTANCE

ACCESS TO A $1 MILLION PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE POLICY

YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION TO THE ASSOCIATION’S QUARTERLY MAGAZINE, GROWING OUR FUTURE

ACCESS TO THE ASSOCIATION’S WEBSITE, INCLUDING THE CAREER PAGE

ACCESS TO THE ASSOCIATION’S ONLINE MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY

ELIGIBILITY TO APPLY FOR THE ASSOCIATION’S STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP (MEMBER’S CHILDREN ONLY)

ELIGIBILITY TO APPLY FOR THE ASSOCIATION’S AWARDS AND RECOGNITION PROGRAM

ELIGIBILITY TO APPLY TO BE A PART OF THE ASSOCIATION’S PROFESSIONAL NEW TEACHER MENTORING PROGRAM

ELIGIBILITY TO PARTAKE IN THE KENNETH HUGHES LIFE INSURANCE PLAN

ACCESS TO THE ASSOCIATION’S AGRICULTURE SCIENCE TEACHERS CRISIS FUND

ACCESS TO THE VATAT CREDIT UNION

ACCESS TO A DISCOUNT AT WYNDHAM HOTELS NATIONWIDE

ACCESS TO THE AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION FORD TEXAS FFA LEADERSHIP CENTER FOR MEETINGS OR SMALL GATHERINGS

MAKE YOUR CATALOGS STAND OUT. FOIL STAMPING, EMBOSSING, DIE CUTS, RAISED UV, SOFT TOUCH

Don Denny Cell: 806-789-7713 Office: 806-794-7752 slategroup.com/cattle