A publication of the Texas Agricultural Education Family I 2012 … 2012.pdf · 2015-12-28 · A...
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A publication of the Texas Agricultural Education Family I 2012 Volume III, Issue IX ”From the Duck Blind” By: Russell Thomas, Gilmer TEXAS AG ED FAMILY UPDATES VATAT pages 1 - 5 Texas FFA page 6 Foundation pages 7 - 8 Texas FFA Alumni page 9 Young Farmers pages 10 - 11 Family - A group of people united by certain convictions or a common affiliation. This is one of the definitions of family used by Webster. I think it has hit the nail on the head, because as agricultural science teachers we are a “family.” We come together to teach our students, parents and others about agriculture and to be an advocate for agriculture. This common affiliation gives us the bonds of a family. If you have been teaching very long, you understand the relationship we have as agricultural science teachers. It is hard to explain to others outside of the agricultural teaching world. There is a hunting show that relates all the hunters as the “brotherhood” - this connects them! This is a good example of how I feel as an agricultural science teacher. It is a special bond that I cherish as a teacher. This month I want to introduce you to my family. My wife, Diane, and I have been married for over 26 years. Diane also teaches at Gilmer in the elementary school as an instructional specialist. I think she has started to finally understand the life of an ag teacher! I have always had her full support throughout my years in this profession, which has been a tremendous help for me knowing that she is supportive of all my endeavors. We have two daughters, Shelby and Haygan. Shelby is a senior at Texas A&M University, majoring in agricultural communications and journalism. Her plans are to attend seminary and have a career in writing. Haygan is a sophomore at Gilmer High School and she is very active in FFA and loves to play basketball. Both of these young ladies are a blessing to us. It is a privilege to have such a family. I feel the same about our VATAT, FFA and Foundation families. It is an honor to be part of these families. Please continue to pray for our country, leaders, service men and women, our students and for our families. Be safe as you travel around our great state this month. May God continue to bless you and your family. Diane, Haygan, Shelby and Russell Thomas pose for a picture on Shelby’s ring day at Texas A&M University.
Transcript of A publication of the Texas Agricultural Education Family I 2012 … 2012.pdf · 2015-12-28 · A...
A publication of the Texas Agricultural Education Family I 2012 Volume III, Issue IX
”From the Duck Blind”By: Russell Thomas, Gilmer
TEXAS AG ED FAMILY
UPDATESVATAT pages 1 - 5
Texas FFA page 6 Foundation pages 7 - 8
Texas FFA Alumni page 9 Young Farmers pages 10 - 11
Family-Agroupofpeopleunitedbycertainconvictionsoracommonaffiliation. This isoneof thedefinitionsoffamilyusedbyWebster.Ithinkithashitthenailonthehead,becauseasagriculturalscienceteacherswearea“family.” We come together to teach ourstudents, parents and others aboutagricultureandtobeanadvocateforagriculture.Thiscommonaffiliationgivesusthebondsofafamily.Ifyouhave been teaching very long, youunderstandtherelationshipwehaveasagriculturalscienceteachers. It is hard to explain to othersoutside of the agricultural teachingworld. There is a hunting showthat relates all the hunters as the“brotherhood” - this connects them!This isagoodexampleofhowI feelasanagriculturalscienceteacher. Itis a special bond that I cherish as a
teacher. Thismonth Iwant to introduceyou to my family. My wife, Diane,andIhavebeenmarriedforover26years.Dianealso teachesatGilmerin the elementary school as aninstructional specialist. I think shehasstartedtofinallyunderstandthelife of an ag teacher! I have alwayshad her full support throughoutmy years in this profession, whichhasbeenatremendoushelpformeknowingthatsheissupportiveofallmyendeavors. We have two daughters, Shelbyand Haygan. Shelby is a senior atTexas A&M University, majoringin agricultural communicationsand journalism. Her plans are toattend seminary and have a careerin writing. Haygan is a sophomoreat Gilmer High School and she isveryactiveinFFAandlovestoplaybasketball. Both of these young
ladies are a blessing to us. It is aprivilegetohavesuchafamily. IfeelthesameaboutourVATAT,FFAandFoundationfamilies.Itisanhonortobepartofthesefamilies. Please continue to pray forour country, leaders, service menand women, our students and forour families. Be safe as you travelaround our great state thismonth.MayGodcontinue toblessyouandyourfamily.
Diane, Haygan, Shelby andRussell Thomas pose for apictureonShelby’sringdayatTexasA&MUniversity.
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Barney McClure, VATAT Executive Director
Ihaveoftensaidanagricultureteacherisexpectedtobe“allthingstoallpeople.”Thereareteamstocoach,livestockshowstoenter,animalprojects tosupervise,classes to teach, young people to mentor, schooladministratorstoplease,high-stakesteststoadminister,aswellasfamilyresponsibilities.Iknowoffewjobsthatrequiresomuch;notjustphysically,butemotionally. Many times the physical exhaustion can be takencareofwithafewdaysoff,buttheemotionalpressuredoesn’tgoaway.Knowingyoucanbeonedecisionawayfromacareercrisisisnotenjoyabletothinkabout. Ihavewatchedandstudied teacherswhoseem tobemostsuccessfulinbeing“happy.”Thesearemenandwomenwhoarecomfortableintheirprofessionandintheirpersonal life.Weallknowourpublicpersonaas“theagteacher,”isforthemostpart,oneofhonorandrespect. It does however, carry big expectations. Wealsoneedtorememberourroleasspouse,parent,son
The Pressure is Bui ld ing ordaughter.Thepartofourlifethatdealswithusasafamilymemberalsocarriesbigexpectations.IdoubtifmyfamilyreallycareshowmanystateofficersIhadorhowmanystatechampionteamsIcoached.IguaranteetheycareabouthowIperformasahusband,father,andnowgrandfather. Attimesmostofushavehadtodealwithunhappyparents or students, demanding supervisors and facesituationsinwhichwehavelittlecontrol.Inmanycases,our fate is in someoneelse’shands.Thebest advice Ihave receivedwhen I foundmyself in these positionsis to try to handle them in an honest and ethical way,andprayforagoodoutcome.IevenhadtoadmitIwaswronga fewtimes. Inmyposition, Ihearabout thesesituationsweekly,andmostofthetime,thingsturnoutokay. Attheendoftheday,orattheendofacareer,theimportantthingisbeingabletosayyoudidyourbest,youranagoodraceandyoufinishedthecourse.Takesome time for yourself and your family during thisjourney.
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2012 VATAT Tenure Awards If you should receive a VATAT Tenure Award this year and you are not listed below, or if you feel you are listed in error, please contact Karen Grumbles at [email protected], so that we may update our records. Also, don’t forget to contact the VATAT Office if you are retiring this year.
5 Years
NovellaByrd,CotullaISDStevenChumbley,TexasTechUniversityBeckyHunnicutt,AssociateMemberLauriKelley,AssociateMemberJeannieLafferty,TylerJuniorCollegeDavidManley,DeKalbISDRyanSaucier,TexasStateUniversity-SanMarcosDalaSmee,KleinISDKoriAdams,ClearFallsHighSchoolBrandonAllen,DetroitHighSchoolAshleyArmstrong,TenahaHighSchoolKatieBallard,BridgeportHighSchoolScottBearden,CrowellHighSchoolAaronBednarz,LubbockCooperHighSchoolBradBlount,PaducahHighSchoolJoeBochat,SevenLakesHighSchoolShalleyBoles,PlanoSeniorHighSchoolShanaBrittain,CenterHighSchoolJoelBush,WintersHighSchoolAmber Campise,LaPorteHighSchoolRussellCater,TheWoodlandsHighSchoolMarciChapman,TomBeanHighSchoolBryanChisholm,BowieHighSchoolKevinDevrow, MexiaHighSchoolOliviaDodson,WakelandHighSchoolGaryDominguez,ProgressoHighSchoolLucasEdenfield,DawsonHighSchoolBobbyFowler,RockwallHighSchoolTammyGebert,BeltonHighSchoolRonGil,CanutilloHighSchoolJenniferGilbreath,AubreyMiddleSchoolCristenGraf,PlanoWestSeniorHighSchoolJessica Graham,WunscheHighSchoolDonaldGuillory,HargraveHighSchoolDavidHall,LamarHighSchoolRobHawkins,ShallowaterHighSchoolKoriHeath,MarbleFallsHighSchoolJoshHodges,DeLeonHighSchoolAmandaHolman,SamuelClemensHighSchoolJoshuaHopkins,GrahamHighSchoolJustinHopkins,BlanketHighSchoolTysonHuckaby,CushingHighSchoolWesleyHutchins,ChannelviewHighSchoolJuraheeJones,RockspringsHighSchoolStephanieJones,NorthShoreHighSchoolJenniferKotzur,LaVerniaHighSchool
LauraLemons,TexasTechUniversityShawnLockett,LibertyHillHighSchoolJenniferLockwood,AkinsHighSchoolAlishaLugo,TascosaHighSchoolLindseyMarek,LumbertonHighSchoolRandyLeeMartin,RioGrandeCityJamieMasvero,KleinOakHighSchoolJasonMcKibben,EarlyHighSchoolEdMeyer,JasperHighSchoolJeanetteMiddleton,WaxahachieHighSchoolJenniferMorris,ColoradoHighSchoolSidMorris,LazbuddieHighSchoolNathanMouser,BastropHighSchoolRowdyMyers,MaypearlHighSchoolRandy Penny,HughesSpringsHighSchoolDennisPickering,RedwaterHighSchoolLindseyPotts,MillerGroveHighSchoolCoryRains,LamesaHighSchoolStephanieRankin,DeerParkHighSchoolBradyRasco,LockneyHighSchoolMichaelRequenez,PalmViewHighSchoolRebeccaRobertson,SmithvilleHighSchoolFernandoRodriguez,ZapataHighSchoolMicheleRumfield,Cy-FairHighSchoolChrisRuscher,Nimitz9thGradeHeidiSchneider,BriscoeJrHighNeldaShipp,MineolaHighSchoolAroldoSoliz,PalmViewHighSchoolJimSpake,MundayHighSchoolSamanthaSrp,OrangeGroveHighSchoolKristanStreams,EdnaHighSchoolJamesStricker,KleinForestHighSchoolBlakeThornton,AppleSpringsHighSchoolCharlesWakefield,HardinHighSchoolAndreaWatts,JudsonHighSchoolWeldonWhalen,LockhartHighSchoolSeanWilliams,BlueRidgeHighSchoolClintWilson,NewWaverlyHighSchoolTonyYoung,PetersburgHighSchoolMichaelZarosky,CharlotteISD
10 Years
ToddFuller,PettusHighSchoolJeremyWilliams,AssociateMemberBryanAaron,ClearLakeHighSchoolShellyArrington,BurnetMiddleSchool
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MelissaBendy,ChesterHighSchoolMichaelBillings,FloresvilleHighSchoolJayBohac,HarkerHeightsHighSchoolSteveBradshaw,ParadiseHighSchoolClarkCampbell,GoldthwaiteHighSchoolDaneCastleschouldt,WillisHighSchoolJenniferClark,NorthLamarHighSchoolKennyCockerell,HaskellHighSchoolBradCoffelt,WhitneyHighSchoolMissyCoffelt,WhitneyHighSchoolMattComer,BeckvilleHighSchoolJustinCox,HaskellHighSchoolAaronCuster,CoahomaHighSchoolKarenEaves,SilsbeeHighSchoolWillEdwards,FrenshipHighSchoolLarryFortenberry,GrovetonHighSchoolToddGregory,KlondikeHighSchoolWesHarris,CherokeeHighSchoolPatrickHartley,CrandallHighSchoolKurtHenry,HappyHillFarmAcademyLauraHorner,MineralWellsHighSchoolShannonHouy,RouseHighSchoolPhilHoward,ValleyViewHighSchoolJamesJanacek,PalaciosHighSchoolTimJohnson,PrincetonHighSchoolBrentKiefer,PaulPewittHighSchoolAutumnLisenbe,DeSotoHighSchoolJTMcClellen,OdemHighSchoolJanellMcMullan,DevineHighSchoolKyleMyers,VernonHighSchoolDanielPhillips,FairfieldHighSchoolKristinPowers,GarrisonHighSchoolJasonRich,OakwoodHighSchoolJustinRisner,CentralHighSchoolDennisRoberts,Linden-KildareHighSchoolKennyRoberts,LeonardHighSchoolBeldonRudloff,ColdspringHighSchoolMikeSeaton,MeadowHighSchoolJimSelf,FollettHighSchoolRandyShaw,PrincetonHighSchoolKellySlone,WaxahachieJuniorHighSchoolJoshStegall,ChapelHillHighSchoolJasonThomas, JamesE.TaylorHighSchoolChrisUselton,CollinsvilleHighSchoolDavidVela,EdinburgEconomedesHighSchoolKellyWallace,NorthwestHighSchoolJoshWeston,NorthwestHighSchoolLaurahWilliams,StephenvilleHighSchool
15 Years JulieHarlin,TexasA&MUniversityJoeBarron,MaudHighSchoolChrisBeard,AlbanyHighSchool
20 Years JeffMcGinnis,SnyderISDJoeMuller,AssociateMemberChrisBean,LakeDallasHighSchoolStevenBelyeu,Linden-KildareHighSchoolRonaldBlum,ShermanHighSchoolDarrenCosby,Anderson-ShiroHighSchoolKennethCox,EctorHighSchoolHarryDotson,BloomingGroveHighSchoolDavidEddings,HemphillHighSchoolDomingoGarciaJr.,Skidmore-TynanHighSchoolLeslieHarris,BreckenridgeHighSchoolBradHarrison,LipanHighSchoolGlenHeard,MilesHighSchoolJohnnyHook,MillsapHighSchoolSamHowell,SabineHighSchoolJohnJackson,CommunityHighSchoolJay Jimerson,GeorgeWestHighSchoolEricKale,HicoHighSchoolLorieKempen,EastCentralHighSchoolKevinLand,LehmanHighSchool
DavidBray,WestbrookHighSchoolCandisCarraway,LivingstonHighSchoolKevinDillard,SavoyHighSchoolLynitaFoster,MadisonvilleHighSchoolGregGolden,MagnoliaWestHighSchoolJeffJones,AthensHighSchoolJeffKelley,LeanderHighSchoolJeffKennedy,PoteetHighSchoolJoBonneyLeCompte,PerrytonHighSchoolJerryLewis,RedOakHighSchoolMelissaLoerwald,FlorenceHighSchoolCodyMcCauley,BridgeportHighSchoolStevenMeier,LBJHighSchoolBradMetting,YorktownHighSchoolJeffMiller,HollidayHighSchoolCathyNations,VanHighSchoolNathanNewton,GranburyHighSchoolBillRadde,AxtellHighSchoolRaymondRamirez,UvaldeHighSchoolNikkiReed,GeorgeRanchHighSchoolCliftonRussell,ArcherCityHighSchoolBillySchares,WhitesboroHighSchoolGlennSesco,GarlandHighSchoolMikeShipman,NoconaHighSchoolJamesTabor,NewHomeHighSchoolToddThiel,HempsteadHighSchoolLeslieTurner,AnahuacHighSchoolJarrodUsener,MasonHighSchoolTravisVaughn,WindthorstHighSchoolBradWood,SharylandHighSchoolRobbieWooldridge,CaddoMillsHighSchool
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Follow the VATAT on: &
JasonMarek,BlancoHighSchoolDarinMartinez,NewDealHighSchoolChuckMcHam,BrownsboroHighSchoolMichaelMeadows,JamesBowieHighSchoolJayNewton,VegaHighSchoolDarrenPrice,DublinHighSchoolJeffShows,DimeBoxHighSchoolPhillipThielemann,FosterHighSchoolLanceThomas,ElkhartHighSchoolRandyTidwell,WestRuskHighSchoolJoeVann,BurnetHighSchoolDannyWalton,RyanHighSchool
25 Years SarahNoteboom,KilleenISDKennethBarnett,CopperasCoveHighSchoolSteveBlack,FairfieldHighSchoolGaryBynum,TexasHighSchoolThomasCannon,TeagueHighSchoolMikeChesnut,MarbleFallsHighSchoolMarshallEaton,JimNedHighSchoolScottEckermann,BrenhamHighSchoolGlennGrimm,CanyonHighSchoolCurtisHoover,RandallHighSchoolJohnLanier,JourdantonHighSchoolMikeMartinson,SierraBlancaHighSchoolDonaldMcGuffin,CarthageHighSchoolWendyMeadows,IowaParkHighSchoolRustyMertink,GiddingsHighSchoolSteveMonkres,ChisumHighSchoolJoelPhillips,SeagovilleHighSchoolRobertReynolds,Alba-GoldenHighSchoolKevinSells,LaVerniaHighSchoolPaulSimmons,HollidayHighSchoolKevenSmith,EraHighSchoolVinceTodd,GladewaterHighSchoolMonteWilliams,RiceConsolidatedHighSchoolMaryWilson,BarbersHillHighSchoolBillWoody,HillsboroJr.HighSchoolBrettWright,FallsCityHighSchool
30 Years CraigEdwards,OklahomaStateUniversityJohnMack,JamesMadisonHighSchoolBenD.Alley,TroyHighSchoolGlenBlount,BellsHighSchoolWayneBlount,DenisonHighSchool
35 Years RichardBaldwin,LeonHighSchoolBobBurkett,GuthrieHighSchoolRandyGillum,RobertE.LeeHighSchoolButchGreen,CantonHighSchoolDonHenson,JamesMadisonHighSchoolGeorgeKrejci,NeedvilleHighSchoolJuddLewis,KempHighSchoolJoeWarnerLiles,HollandHighSchoolO.J.Ragland,WillsPointHighSchoolMikeSammon,Rosebud-LottHighSchool
40 Years BobAndrew,ValleyViewHighSchoolRogerBryant,RainsHighSchoolRaymondWrinkle,Gregory-PortlandHighSchool
45 Years
GlenDossett,MineolaHighSchool
ScottButler,NavasotaHighSchoolJimCooper,MotleyCountyHighSchoolRickyGamblin,BangsHighSchoolRaymundoGarza,AliceHighSchoolDanaGriffin,CorsicanaHighSchoolSamHollingsworth,HawkinsHighSchoolBillyJohnson,CrandallHighSchoolJoelLanier,SeminoleHighSchoolLarryLawrence,NewCaneyHighSchoolRichardLong,SterlingCityHighSchoolGilbertoLopez,UnitedHighSchoolLoydNations,VanHighSchoolBillyOdam,ThomasJeffersonHighSchoolRHRodriguez,DilleyHighSchoolMarkScheu,DaingerfieldHighSchoolJohnSmith,FarmersvilleHighSchoolKimSullins,TolarHighSchoolTimSullins,WestHighSchoolHarrySump,JohnTylerHighSchoolJohnnyWilleford,NewDianaHighSchool
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Texas Team Ag Ed … Empowering our Young People for a Better Texas
May is a great time to reflect on the positivedifference agricultural education and the FFA makeinTexas. Withstudentsgraduating fromhighschoolandmovingintotheircollege,careerormilitarypaths,onecanonlywonder“howdidwedosogood?”Goodthings happen when great organizations provideoutstanding programming to dedicated students.Additionally, generous sponsors provide the fuelto ensure all students have a chance to tap into theofferingsoftheTexasFFA.TheendresultofthiseffortisTexasbecomesabetterplacetolive,workandraiseour families due to the collective effort and effect ofourprogram. TexasFFAdeliversmorethan1millioninacademicandawardscholarshipsannually.
• 140academicscholarshipsrangingfrom $1,000-$16,000• 30CareerDevelopmentEvent(CDE)awardsat$500ea.• 12LeadershipDevelopmentEvent(LDE)awardsat $500ea.• 14sponsoredawardscholarshipsrangingfrom $1,000-$4,500• 16StarAwardsat$1,000ea.• 5WorkBaseLearningAwardsat$500ea.• 32AgriscienceFairAwardscholarshipsat$1,000ea.• 47ProficiencyAwardsat$1,000ea.•10Rodeoawardscholarshipsat$1,000ea.
The Texas FFA Foundation serves as theadministrativeorganizationforthescholarships.Thisis a great testament to the quality of our Texas FFAmembersandsponsorswhorecognizethesignificantcontributionachievedbyinvestinginthefuture.
Aaron Alejandro, Texas FFA Foundation Executive Director
Agricultural education and the Texas FFA haveevolved from an organization focusing primarilyon production agriculture to a broader-basedencompassingorganizationaddressingtheneedsandinterests of students in urban and suburban schools,inadditiontotheruralcommunitiesfromwhichFFArose in 1929. FFA gives students the opportunityto apply practical classroom knowledge to realworld experiences through local, state and nationalcompetitions. Agricultural education provides a well-rounded,practical approach to learning through threecomponents:classroomeducationinagriculturaltopicssuchasplantandanimalsciences,horticulture,forestry,etc.; hands-on supervised agricultural experiencessuchasstartingabusiness,workingforanestablishedcompanyorworkinginproductionagriculture;andtheTexas FFA, which provides leadership opportunitiesandteststudents’agriculturalskills.
Path to Success There are 50 potential Agriculture, Food andNatural Resources (AFNR) courses which providerigorousandchallengingopportunitiesformorethan120,000 young Texans. AFNR courses are found inrural, suburban and urban school districts and theclassrooms and laboratories reflect a diverse andbalancedgenderandethnicpopulation. WhydoesthesuccessofagriculturaleducationandtheTexasFFAmatter?JustlookatafewrecentarticlesonTexashighschooldropoutrates. BruceDavidson,editorial board of the San Antonio Express reportedinJune2010,“WeshouldallbeworriedaboutTexas’
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staggeringhighschooldropoutrate.” Itisnotjustaboutthestudentsinpubliceducation;it issomething thatwilleventuallyhaveasignificantimpact on everyone in this state oneway or another.EachclassofdropoutshasanannualfinancialimpactonMedicaid,prisonexpensesandlosttaxrevenuetothetuneof$377million,accordingtotheMiltonandRose D. Friedman Foundation. If the current trendcontinues, the state could be in for bad economictimesduetoaninadequatenumberofeducatedyoungadults entering the work force. We need our TexasFFAmembers to excel in their career choices andbeprepared to assume leadership roles in serving ourcommunities. Whatisthestate’shighschooldropoutrate?Thisquestion has always been difficult to answer. Thosewhoarechargedwithkeepingtrackofsuchstatisticskeepcomingupwithimaginativewaystomanipulatethe figures. Some tag the Texas high school dropoutrateashighas33percentwithspeculationthattheratemaybehigher than50percent forHispanicstudentsandabout46percentforAfricanAmericanstudents. Butnomatterhowthefiguresaretwisted,therawnumbersshowthateachyearmorethan130,000Texasstudentswhoenteredhighschoolasninthgradersdonotgraduatewiththeirclassfouryearslater. The good news is that our agricultural educationand Texas FFA program is equipping our Texasstudentswithsoundacademicprogramsandcoursesthatarerigorousandrelevantintoday’ssociety,while
also equipping them for tomorrow’s jobs. We areproud of our graduating seniors and wish them wellas theypursue their dreams. If you are aTexas FFAscholarship recipient, congratulations on a job welldone. Asyousucceedinlife,alwaysrememberthosewhohelpedyoualongthewayandbesuretogivebacksootherscanhavethesamegreatexperienceweareproudtocalltheTexasFFA.
FFAmembersfromacrosstheLoneStarStatearerecognizedatthestateconvention as they receive theirscholarshipsinfrontoftheirpeers.
To learn more about the Texas FFA Foundation and Our Mission that Matters, please visit
www.texasffafoundation.org.
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$ MONEY $
Timesaretough!Moneyistight!Nooneisgoingtojustgiveyoumoney…orwillthey?TheTexasFFAAlumniiswilling to give youmoney.However, there are a fewstringsattached.Butfirstaboutthemoney…
THE MONEY Each year, the Texas FFA Alumni gives out thefollowing monetary awards: two $1,000 scholarships;ten $500 local grants; and lastly we graciously give$1,000eachtotheTexasFFA,theTexasFFAFoundationandtheVATAT.ThemoneywegiveisraisedatourAnnualAlumniAuctionheldinconjunctionwiththeTexasFFAConvention. Items such as scales, airline tickets, boots,retreats,FFAmemorabilia,outdooritemsandmuchmorearebidonandgoeshomewiththefortunatebidder.FFAAlumniAffiliates/ChaptersalsocontributetoourauctionbyenteringintheAlumniBasketContest.Rulesforthiscontestcanbefoundonthealumniwebsite. $500.00 Grants: Howdoyougetthegrantmoney?Howmustitbeused?Bepreparedtoanswerthefollowingquestions:What is your project?What do youwant toaccomplish? What is your plan of action (who, what,when, where, why, how)? How will this project makean impact on your members and/or program and bepreparedtohaveacostestimateforyourproject.GrantmoneyhasbeenusedtoassistthelocalFFAChaptertopurchaseT-shirtsforitsmembers.Themoneyhasbeenused to start a community garden, as well as used inassistingthelocalFFAChaptertopurchasenewlivestockequipment.So,howcouldyouusethemoney?
THE CATCH Youareaskingyourselfabouthowtogetfreemoney,
and what is the catch? All a chapter has to do to beconsidered for the above mentioned awards is to haveanactivelocalFFAAlumniAffiliate,whichisaminimumof10memberswhopaytheirannualstateandnationalduesbyFeb.1andtosubmittheapplicationstotheTexasFFAAlumniAssociationby the June1deadline.Grantsandscholarshipshavebeendenied,becausetheydidnotmeettherequirementsormissedthedeadline. ApplicationscanbefoundontheTexasFFAAlumniwebsiteathttp://texasffaalumni.ffanow.org.RegistertogetupdatesabouttheTexasFFAAlumni. Thanksforallyoudo!Youcanreadmoreabouttheauctioninnextmonth’snewsletter.Wearealwaysseekingdonationsforourannualauction.Moreinformationcanbefoundonlinebyvisitingthewebsite.
Kelly White, Texas FFA Alumni President
“Moneyisn’tthemostimportantthinginlife,butit’sreasonablyclosetooxygenonthe‘gottahaveit’scale.”Zig Ziglar
What does the Texas FFA Alumni Value?
•WevaluetheintegralnatureofFFAandagricultural education.
•Wevalueagricultureasanessentialpartofsociety.
•Wevaluediversityinservingallpopulations.
•Wevaluetheimpactofateacheronastudent’slife.
•Wevaluetheimpactandinvolvmentofparents/ guardiansandcommunitiesonastudent’slife.
•Wevaluethecommunity’ssupportofagricultural educationteachersandprorams.
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Connie Koopman, Texas Young Farmers President
OmostheavenlyFather,wecometoyouhumblytogiveyoupraiseforthemanyblessingsyouhavebestoweduponeachofus.Weofferyouthanksandpraiseforthewonderful blessing of rain for our pastures and grainfields. With our faith and trust in you, all things arepossible. Greetings.Haveyoubeenabletocatchyourbreath?Withallofthestockshowsbehindusandschoolwindingdownyouwouldthinkwewouldbeabletoslowdown…wrong.Schoolmightbecomingtoanend,butthesummeractivities have started. Baseball, softball, swimming,vacations,summercampsandbibleschoolsbetterwatchoutbecauseherewecome. As I look back onmy life, I remember going everySunday to seemy grandparentswho lived 45minutesaway.Wealwayshadabiglunch,followedbynaptimeforeveryone.Thenweplayeddominoesandatedinnerbeforereturninghome. What is wrong with the picture now? We have notimetorelaxandenjoyfamilylifelikewedidintheolderdays. It tells one how times have changed. Society isataconstantflow.Therearealsomanymoreactivitiesoffered to thechildren today thanwhen Iwasgrowingup.Itisgoodtobeactive,butitisgreattohavefamily
time. Don’t ever forget the memories you made withyourlovedones.Letthemliveonforever. Nowforarecapofactivities. InMarch,DonBeene,Barry Choate and I traveled to the Houston LivestockShowtopresenttheawardsfortheAgMechanicsShow.Wow!Whattalentthesestudentshave.Iwasimpressedwiththeprojectsenteredforcompetition.IalsohadthehonorofmeetingBobTillman,whomIhavelistenedtoasheannouncedrodeosforanumberofyears. The StateAssociation awarded a $500prize to theGrand Champion, Samuel V. Champion High School inBoerne. Just think if thatschoolwasassociatedwithaYoungFarmerChaptertheywouldhavereceived$1,000.Itpaystohaveachapter.Ifyouareanagteacher,advisoror leader, thankyou for sharingyour talentwith theseyoung adults to help them succeed in the workingworld. Notonlydidthesestudentsshinewiththeirprojects,they shined with courtesy. There were a number ofschools that greeted spectators as they viewed theprojects.Ithinkthisisveryrespectfulandverytouching.Keepupthegoodwork. Myboardheld its firstmeetingof theyear inearlyMarchat thehomeofDonandSharonBeene. Wehadaverygoodmeetingwithinteractiononeveryitemwediscussed.AsIstressedtotheboard,theseitemsarenotformetodecideonmyown.Weareateamandwewillmaketeamdecisions. Our main item was to decide if we will be moving
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the location of our January 2013 Convention that wasscheduled for SanAntonio. Aftermuch discussion theboardvotedtomovethelocationtoSugarland.Wewillbe staying at theMarriott anddetails of tours and funfactswillfollowinarticlestocomeyet. Wealso set thedatesof July20, 21 and22 for thesummerpicnicandboardmeetingtobeheldinSugarlandat the Marriott. We will have activities planned forSaturdayandwillbesendingoutinformationaboutRVsitesandactivities.TheboardwillbemeetingonSaturday,followedbyaneveninggatheringforeveryone.Wehopeyouwilltrytomakeittogetanearlyviewofwherethe2013 Convention will be held. The Marriott has goneoutoftheirwaytoaccommodateus,andtheirfacilityisbeautiful.IfyoustaythereinJulyfortheSummerPicnic,theywillbedoublingourpointstobeusedinJanuary. Thenextmain itemonouragendawas to take thebudget linebyline. Wetrimmedourupcomingbudgetby approximately $10,000. Theboard is in agreementtoworkhardandwatchourspending. Werevised theawardsportionofourconventionandaskthatmembersgotothewebsiteforupdates. Debi Peyton has volunteered to keep the websiteupdated at all times. If your area or chapter hasinformation or activities to share, please send it to herormeandwewillmakesurethatyourinformationgetsposted. Don,BarryandIwillbeattendingtheFFAConventioninCorpusChristitheweekofJuly9–13,2012andthenattending the VATAT Conference in Amarillo the weekof July29–August3,2012. Wewillalsohaveaboothat both events. If your school does not have a YoungFarmer Chapter we will have information for you onwhy you should, as well as prizes to register for. Wetrulyappreciateit,andweespeciallylovetalkingaboutourorganization.Wehavereachedover800members,whichisveryexciting.ItmeansthatwearegettingthewordoutaboutYoungFarmers. Texas is also hosting the 2013 NYFEA Institute inDecemberattheOmniColonnadeinSanAntonio,Texas.TommyKetchumistheChairmanandisbusyorganizingmeetingswithdifferentcommittees.Wehavehadsomemeetingsalready,buthostingaNationalInstitutetakesmuchhardwork. In conjunctionwith the Institute,wewill be holding our 2014 Texas Young Farmer StateConvention. Bydoing thiswewill beable toofferourTexasmembersachancetocometotheNationalInstituteas well as the State Convention. It will be three dayspackedwithtours,banquets,meetingsandtimetomeetYoungFarmermembersfromallovertheUnitedStates.IattendedmyfirstInstituteinDecemberinKansasCity,Missouri,anditwasmoneywellspent.ImademanynewfriendswhoexpressedinterestincomingtoTexas. Untilwemeetagain,besafeinyourtravels,enjoylife,
makegreatmemories, live life to its fullest, laughuntilyouhurtandlovelikethisisyourlastday.Blessingstoall.
Did You Know?
1. Agriculture is the nation’s largest employer, with more than 21 million people working in some phase, from growing food and fiber to selling it at the supermarket.
2. There are 145,156 farms operated by women in the United States.
3. Consumers spent an average of $2,328 per person for food in 1992. That was only 9.3 percent of disposable income - the lowest percentage in the world.
What can one acre of land produce?
•Strawberries - 45,000 lbs./acre - worth $21,759/acre
•Lettuce - 24,000 heads/acre - worth $5,940/acre
•Potatoes - 36,000 lbs./acre - worth $4,464/acre
•37.1 bushels of wheat per acre = 2,600 loaves of bread per acre
* An acre of land is roughly the size of a football field.
Farmers are stewards of the land. •Each year billions of trees are seeded on farmland.
•Farmers use reduced tillage practices on 100 million acres, and 26 million acres are farmed in narrow strips to prevent erosion.
•In 1994, farmers had placed 36.4 million acres of their land in reserve to protect the environment and provide habitat for wildlife.
•U.S. farmers maintain 170,000 miles of windbreaks and 1.3 million acres of grass waterways.
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VATAT News
Vocational AgricultureTeachers Association of Texas614 East 12th StreetAustin, Texas 78701
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association
of Texas
OFFICERS
Russell Thomas
President
Kevin Swor
Vice President
Charles Prause
Secretary/Treasurer
STAFF
Barney McClure
Executive Director
Karen Grumbles
Membership Services
Julie Vrazel
Communications
CONTACT US
614 East 12th Street
Austin, Texas 78701
(512) 472-3128
toll free: (800) 777-5818
fax: (512) 472-0555
e-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.vatat.org
TEXAS AG ED FAMILY EVENTSMay 2012
1st - National FFA Band and
Chorus applications due
9th - 13th - State FFA Convention,
Coprus Christi
30th - Aug 3rd - VATAT
Professional Development
Conference
July 2012
4th - State CDEs - Sam Houston State University, Huntsville
5th - State CDEs - Texas A&M University, College Station
June 2012
1st - Public Speaking Entry Deadline
18th - AgriSci Fair Entry Deadline
2012 State Fair Validation Dates Theearlytagordersare$8.00fromApril2-May4,2012.Thelatetagordersare$11.00fromMay5-June8,2012.Theprioritytagordersmustbefaxedto512-476-2894,andthetagsare$11.00plus$20.00prioritypostageandhandlingfeefromJune9–15,2012.AllswinemustbevalidatedonorbeforeJune30,2012.Validationchairpersonmustbepresentwhenanimalsarevalidated.ThechangeofownershipisdueintheFFAofficeonorbeforeJune30,2012.
Allmanilaforms,hairenvelopes,ethicspolicies,committeeformsande-mailexcelspreadsheetsaredueintheFFAofficeonorbeforeJuly6,2012.Allinformationmustbeinalphaorderoritwillbereturnedtothecountyatthecountyexpense.Inregardstotagalterations,anychangetosize,shape,formorcolorwillvoidthetag.Thetagwillbereplacedattheeventandthereplacementcostwillbechargedto the individual.Earnotchcorrectionandear tag replacement formsmustbefaxed(512-476-2894)totheFFAofficeonorbeforeJuly20,2012.Donotsendinformationafterthisdate,asitwillnotbeaccepted.
