ffa new visions fall 2014

Vol. 19, Issue 2 • Spring 2014

NEW VISIONSThe Official Newsletter of the National FFA Alumni AssociationThe Official Newsletter of the National FFA Alumni Association

Vol. 19, Issue 3 • Fall 2014

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1New Visions The Official Newsletter of the National FFA Alumni Association

CONTENT

pg. 4

pg. 11New Visions is prepared and published by the National FFA Alumni Association as an affiliate of the National FFA Organization in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Education as a service to state and local agricultural education agencies.

Editor Katy MumawContributing Writers Tony Small Logan Britton Jada Buchanan Julie Fritsch Kristy Meyer Joshua RuskGraphic Design Dimitri MorsonNational FFA Alumni Director Tony SmallNational FFA Alumni Association President Jim McCray

Contact [email protected] with requests and questions.Visit www.FFA.org/alumni for National FFA Alumni Council information.

VisionThe vision of the National FFA Alumni Association is to be the premier champions for agriculture, agricultural education and FFA.

MissionThe mission of the National FFA Alumni Association is to support and advocate for agricultural education and FFA through gifts of time, talent and financial resources at the local, state and national levels.

Mailing AddressNational FFA Alumni AssociationP.O. Box 68960 6060 FFA DriveIndianapolis, IN 46268

2 Executive Director’s Update

3 Alumni Angle

4 Getting Your Hands Dirty

7 First in the Nation

8 AgCN Connection

10 How To - 10 Visions of Innovation

11 Teach Ag Day

12 Volunteer at Convention

14 Blue Legacy

18 Where Green Meets Blue

19 FFA Alumni Goes “Pure Michgan”

20 News

2 New Visions The Official Newsletter of the National FFA Alumni Association

Not only effective communication, but the speed at which we are able to communicate has increased everyone’s need to be connected. As advocates for agricultural education and FFA, you need to stay current with the ability to react and communicate to your network of contacts. With decisions being made much faster on important issues, you need to rely on information, have access to resources and be able to network with decision makers and alumni members.

The National FFA Alumni Association is working to provide increased resources and oppor-tunities to the growing number of alumni members. We also want to network with alumni members to provide valuable information, notices of upcoming events and share promising practices that will inspire alumni members to support local teachers, school officials, community partners, the local program and, ultimately, students.

So we can communicate and ensure you are up to date and engaged as an alumni member, I want to encourage you to do two things just as soon as you can. First, I want you to complete your membership profile. Contact your local alumni mem-bership representative to get your Agricultural Career Network invitation code. Then, go to www.FFA.org, click on the red MyAgCN button, enter the requested information, click on “My Information” and then fill out your profile page including your email address. You are now ready to receive important information on upcoming events, special benefits for alumni members and new resources to help you be a proactive alumni member.

The second item to accomplish will be to go to www.FFA.org and go to the alumni webpage. Review the resources to famil-iarize yourself with what is available. Take a close look at the Growing Quality: National FFA Alumni Quality Program Guide. This resource will assist you in thinking through the needed areas of focus for a strong alumni affiliate.

We look forward to sharing and networking with you as together we grow the alumni organization. If you want to do even more please share this information with your alumni friends. Communication never stops!

Sincerely,

Tony Small Executive Director, National FFA Alumni Association

TONY SMALLExecutive Director, National FFA Alumni Association

Welcome


SHIRLEY CARTE, FLORIDAHas been to every national convention since 1983 except one –this year will be her 30th convention!

My children were very involved in FFA, and I went the first time as the chapter chap-erone. I go back each year, although my daughter graduated in 1985 and son in 1988, because they gained so much from the program. I want to give back to other students so they have the same opportunities.

I love all aspects of the FFA convention and expo, but I help with the National FFA Alumni Convention. I served in 1996-97 as national alumni president and consider it an honor to go each year and support those who work so hard to carry on this great organization.

Alumni Angle

Be a part of the action:Learn about this year’s volunteer opportunities on page 12.

WYATT DEJONG, NORTH DAKOTAAttended the national convention and expo for five years as a student and two years as an alumnus.

I attended the national FFA convention and expo as an alumni member for multiple reasons, including to work with the National FFA Alumni Council and deliver workshops to FFA members.

Still, it is my ability to witness student learning and leadership development that makes me desire to help in any way that I can. The convention and expo is a great way for FFA members to challenge themselves with the possibilities that come with FFA.

These possibilities are only possible if members have someone to help guide them and provide the right environment for them to say “yes” to these moments of growth. We need volunteers to constantly make the convention and expo better by modeling expec-

tations and showing students how to break the thoughts of mediocrity.

I love challenging members to envision themselves as the people they can be and helping them to see that they can suc-ceed. Being able to bring joy to the hearts of students and a positive attitude to their spirit can make a real difference. This is often achieved through those random conversations in the career fair, walking to an event or even waiting in line with members, advisors, sponsors and others who are devoted to personal growth.


As FFA members, we learn from the motto that living to serve is one of the most important aspects of our lives and a blueprint on how we engage with others. One Florida man has rooted this philosophy into his life, without ever wearing the blue jacket.

Steve Johnson of Lakeland goes above and beyond to help Kathleen Senior High School’s FFA chapter and alumni asso-ciation. For the last five years, Johnson has spent more than 3,000 hours giving his time and talent in several ways.

“It all started with the land judging career development event. The advisors reached out to me because they knew I worked for Lane Construction,” Johnson said. “Five years later, here we are.”

Because of the soil knowledge he has gained through work-ing in construction, Johnson pitches in by preparing FFA members for the land judging CDE. In this CDE, members evaluate land characteristics and recommend treatment to improve the quality for specific uses. This year, Kathleen Se-nior FFA won the state event and placed second at nationals in Oklahoma City.

Keitha Hall, agriculture teacher and FFA advisor at Kathleen Senior FFA, has noted Johnson’s involvement in the chapter.

“My students love Mr. Steve. They appreciate all he does for them and often go to him for help. They will ask him for help finding buyers for their animal projects or his help chaper-oning field trips when we are short on volunteers,” Hall said.

Johnson has assisted in bringing more opportunities to FFA members. “He was able to use construction equipment from the company he works at to dig pits for students to prac-tice,” Hall said.

“Steve is a person who cares about all students. He is defi-nitely a cheerleader for them. He’s outgoing and not afraid to ask for things that will benefit our students and program. He’s a go-getter for sure.”

GETTING YOUR HANDS DIRTYFlorida alumni member serves FFA chapter in his community.

By Logan Britton

“Others have stepped up and offered expertise in

the ag mechanics shop and in the nursery area after seeing Steve’s example.”


With the support of the Kathleen FFA Alumni Association, members of the land judging team were sponsored through local construction businesses to compete at nationals.

“These students have grown, as individuals and as an FFA chapter, in more ways than I ever imagined. They set goals and work hard to achieve them,” Johnson said. “I think that they realize they have everyone’s support, which allows them to focus on CDEs and SAEs [supervised agricultural ex-periences] along with chapter activities.”

In addition to coaching members on land and soil, Johnson is the vice president of the Kathleen alumni association and serves on the alumni golf tournament committee, which has raised more than $25,000 for the chapter in the past four years.

When Johnson became involved, nearly 65 members were part of the alumni association. Since then, alumni member-ship has grown to 107 because of recruiting efforts such as reaching out to community members and parents as well as alternating meeting locations between the middle and high schools. “Our alumni affiliate is the largest it has ever been,” Hall said. “Others within the organization see how Steve helps and realize that they can pitch in too in similar ways. I think he’s been a great example of helping in the way that he can and it has really impacted our organization. Others have stepped up and offered expertise in the ag mechanics shop and in the nursery area after seeing Steve’s example.”

The alumni association provides FFA members with scholar-ships and awards for several programs. Scholarships avail-able to members include trips to the National FFA Conven-tion & Expo, state convention and Washington Leadership Conference. If a team wins a state CDE, each member of the winning team receives a Carhartt jacket with embroidery, paid by the alumni association.

“FFA creates opportunities for students in the organization for development, leadership and prepares them for real-life situations,” Johnson said. “We don’t want them to have to worry about paying for leadership opportunities.”

Johnson helped lead the effort to create a discount card, full of deals at local businesses, for FFA members to sell to their families and community members. “As a fundraiser, we used to sell chocolate as a way for members to help pay for dues and a T-shirt. With Steve spearheading this, students sell only four to five cards. We have been able to raise more for our chapter,” Hall said.

“One of the cool things about the alumni association is you can be an alumni member even if you were not an FFA mem-ber when you were in school,” Johnson said. “To me, being an FFA alumni member means being able to provide oppor-tunities to young people who may not have had them oth-erwise.”

Johnson also spends his free time and vacations chaperon-ing Kathleen Senior FFA members to WLC and state conven-tion as well as judging local and state CDEs.

“I, along with our alumni, hope that by sending members to WLC and other leadership conferences, they will be able to teach others what service is and we’ll eventually create a service-orientated group of young FFA leaders,” Johnson said.

Around the country, FFA chapters benefit from invaluable alumni members, some who wore the blue jacket and some who have not. They demonstrate acts of service to our com-munities and our members.

“Service is giving to others without the expectation of any-thing in return,” Johnson said.

To learn about ways you can support an FFA chapter in your community, visit www.FFA.org/alumni.

“To me, being an FFA alumni member means being able to provide

opportunities to young people who may not have

had them otherwise.”

Johnson spends his free time and vacationhelping FFA members.

Psst...It’s coming soon.Your new FFA onlIne exPerIence.

At FFA, we’re proud to say that when you talk, we listen. So thanks to you, we’ve been able to make some exciting new changes to FFA.org that will help improve your experience, all based on your feedback.

SIngle SIgn-onOne user account for all

FFA services.

PerSonAl dAShboArd

(MY FFA) Easily reach the tools relevant

to your FFA role.

deSIgned For AnY deVIce

Built for desktop, tablet and mobile.

enhAnced SeArch

Find what you are looking for easily.

PerSonAlIzed exPerIence

You will be recognized every time you return.

Hello!

eASY to uSe nAVIgAtIon

Streamlined page menu structure.

FreSh look And Feel

Giving a new and clean look to FFA.org.

MY journeYYour path to premier leadership,

personal growth and career success.

Achieve more. FFA.org.

FFA.org ®


Over the next five years, the Oklahoma FFA Alumni Council will pay the national alumni dues for all of their agriculture educators. This decision allows more than 400 educators to be FFA alumni members and access perks associated with membership.

The primary aim of the Oklahoma alumni association is to provide a strong, efficient statewide organization that pro-motes, serves and supports agricultural education and FFA.

“Oklahoma alumni is very strong and desires to be stronger at the national level,” David Turner, agriculture educator and FFA advisor at Eufaula High School, said. “We thought it may be beneficial to broaden the view of alumni; most of us only know it as the strong state base.”

Both Turner and Jim Pilkington have served on the council and attended the national alumni development conference.

“After attending ADC in Green Bay, Wis., last year I thought on the way home about what we could do on the state level as to engage our ag teachers in the National FFA Alumni As-sociation,” Pilkington, northeast district alumni council rep-resentative and the quality control supervisor for Smithco Engineering and Metal Services, said.

Once the council met with state staff and discussed possibil-ities with other council members, they decided paying the advisors’ dues was well worth the investment. “It is our hope that we see a boost in alumni involvement over the next year and in years to come. This will be contagious in terms of recruiting new alumni members and making stronger chap-ters,” Pilkington said.

“A lot of our chapters have various support groups. Our hope is that educators will take the existing organizations and see the benefits of affiliating these groups with the National FFA Alumni Association,” Kurt Murray, Oklahoma FFA alumni ad-visor, said. “We decided to do this last summer [2013] and so far the feedback has been really good. New teachers with varying backgrounds have found it beneficial. For many of them, it is an education on what alumni membership is and how it can help them enhance their total program.”

Murray added, “We wanted to provide the option for teach-ers to reconnect with the national alumni association. If we provide our teachers with a membership, we can give na-

tional FFA alumni direct access to our teachers, amplifying the partnership and resources at the national level.”

Murray and others in Oklahoma know that the key to alumni affiliation at the local level is the agriculture teacher; they have to want it and be empowered to ask for help and sup-port.

“Our alumni council is absolutely the best, the support they provide and financially. It is second to none in giving our stu-dents opportunities throughout our state,” Turner said.

The Oklahoma alumni council hosts the Alumni Leadership Camp for about 1,600 FFA members in four three-and-a-half-day summer sessions; provides 45-50 Washington Leadership Conference scholarships; supports awards at state convention and scholarships; and more.

“We hope we see more affiliated alumni groups. As students graduate, they can directly become involved in alumni. We have Collegiate FFA at Oklahoma State University, but we need it at the grassroots,” Turner said.

“Oklahoma is the first state in the nation to have 100 percent of its agriculture teachers enrolled as national alumni mem-bers,” Pilkington said. “We believe this is a move that will progress our state alumni forward and reflect an innovative decision to advance alumni.”

FIRST IN THE NATIONOklahoma alumni deploy new grassroots strategy.

By Katy Mumaw

The Oklahoma alumni council hosts the Alumni LeadershipCamp for about 1,600 FFA members.

Psst...It’s coming soon.Your new FFA onlIne exPerIence.

At FFA, we’re proud to say that when you talk, we listen. So thanks to you, we’ve been able to make some exciting new changes to FFA.org that will help improve your experience, all based on your feedback.

SIngle SIgn-onOne user account for all

FFA services.

PerSonAl dAShboArd

(MY FFA) Easily reach the tools relevant

to your FFA role.

deSIgned For AnY deVIce

Built for desktop, tablet and mobile.

enhAnced SeArch

Find what you are looking for easily.

PerSonAlIzed exPerIence

You will be recognized every time you return.

Hello!

eASY to uSe nAVIgAtIon

Streamlined page menu structure.

FreSh look And Feel

Giving a new and clean look to FFA.org.

MY journeYYour path to premier leadership,

personal growth and career success.

Achieve more. FFA.org.

FFA.org ®


AgCN Connection

WHERE IS YOUR INFORMATION?

By Jada Buchanan

Are you apprehensive about what happens with the information you provide to the National FFA Alumni Association? Be assured we will protect your information and use it wisely. The information you provide will help us make advancements with stakeholder relationships as we better understand our membership. We are committed to your security and providing you with the news and information you need.

Example 1 Example 2 Example 3

Email address

The National FFA AlumniDevelopment Conference

registration is open. We will sendyou an email on how to register and

get more information.

The state you live in is offeringtraining for anyone who wants to

attend. We can email you the details.

National FFA staff was contacted by a corporate sponsor that heard what

an amazing job your affiliate has been doing. That sponsor would like to give

you a gift card. National FFA staff would then contact you to make sure

you receive the gift card.

Mailing address

We may send you a postcard to remind you that the National FFA

Alumni Development Conference is coming up. If you bring the postcard to the conference, you will receive a

free souvenir. This would go to a random number of members.

A corporate sponsor hears about the wonderful things that a certain state has been doing to give back to the local chapters. They want to send all members a

gift card to their store. National FFA would mail those gift cards out.

Phone number This is just a backup form of communication for national FFA staff to the member. This would only be used if for example the member left something at a conference or it was important to reach you on an important issue.

BirthdateDuring your birthday month wewould like to send you a happybirthday email with perhaps a

special gift.

We are not going to share your age but would like to the distribution of ages with our membership. This will make it easier for us to track information and

cater to your needs.

FFA and FFA alumni service engagement

This information will allow us tounderstand how you like to

participate.

We will let you know whenopportunities in your identified

areas are available.

We will provide you with promising practices on how you can support a similar event to assist your local

program.

Non-FFA and FFA alumni serviceengagement

This information will allow us tounderstand how you like to

participate.

We will let you know whenopportunities in your identified

areas are available.

We will provide you with promising practices on how you can support a similar event to assist your local

community.

FFA alumni - givingWe will be able to understand howyou like to contribute: Time, talent

or financial gift.

We will be able to understand what levels you want to support with

your time, talents or financial gift.

We will be able to understand what worthy cause areas you would like

to support.

*All examples above aren’t guaranteed to happen but are in discussion.


How To

10 VISIONS OF INNOVATIONTry these ideas to bolster your alumni affiliate partnerships.

By Jada Buchanan

FFA alumni are encouraged to focus their work into five categories: business operations for FFA alumni, FFA alumni member development, advocacy for agricultural education, agricultural education/FFA program development and stu-dent development. Activities in each of these areas help lo-cal members create a balance in the services, programs and events conducted throughout the year. Below are two exam-ples for each of the five key areas.

BUSINESS OPERATIONS FOR FFA ALUMNI

1. Conduct monthly membership meetings – Engage all members in reoccurring monthly meetings to go over up-coming projects, new ideas, business operations, etc.

2. Create a monthly newsletter – Simple, but it can make a large difference in the communication of your affiliate’s business operations. It can be a one-page sheet or a multi-ple-page publication.

FFA ALUMNI MEMBER DEVELOPMENT

3. State – Purchase FFA alumni memberships for advi-sors in your area. This will give the advisor a year to take ad-vantage of resources made available to them. For example, Oklahoma State FFA has purchased a five-year FFA alumni membership for all advisors in the state (see page 7).

4. Local – Call parents of FFA student members and send them an invitation in the mail to attend an affiliate meet-ing. Letters can also be sent to recent graduates promoting alumni affiliates. Send a newsletter to parents and recent graduates to keep them in the loop.

ADVOCACY FOR FFA ALUMNI

5. Showcase FFA alumni to the public with a spaghetti supper – This would be a great profit maker for a scholarship program the alumni facilitate. As a bonus, the event allows alumni to engage with the local chapter and teachers and to grow membership in the community.

6. Donate to elementary students – Give coloring books and toys that are agriculture-related. Follow up with teach-ers and students to answer any questions. This could go as far as setting up farm visits after the books are completed.

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION/FFA PROGRAM

7. Host a petting barn at a county fair – Bring a small-sized petting zoo to the local county fair or festival. This is an opportunity for FFA alumni to educate the community on the importance of animal agriculture and the proper care of animals.

8. Grow a community garden or set up an after school program – Organize and produce a community garden with the local FFA chapter. Or educate high school students in an after school program to teach students about gardening and farm-to-fork processes.

FFA STUDENT DEVELOPMENT

9. Organize a livestock show and sale for the area – This is a great opportunity to give back to students and show the community what you are doing.

10. Start a public service project – Choose 10 different service sites and divide your team into groups to landscape all 10 sites in one day (try to divide the groups into an even mix of students and alumni). At the end of the day come to-gether as a group with a meal and time to reflect.

For more information on the five areas of the National FFA Alumni Quality Program Guide, visit www.FFA.org/alumni/resources.


TEACH AG DAYCelebrate agriculture teachers on Sept. 25.

Get your party hat on! National Teach Ag Day is Sept. 25, and as an alumni member, you’ve got work to do.

National Teach Ag Day is a day to celebrate school-based ag-ricultural education and to encourage agricultural education advocates–you–to share with others the great career oppor-tunities in agricultural education.

AGRICULTURE TEACHER RECRUITMENTNow is your opportunity to encourage that student you’ve worked with – the natural leader and the inquisitive, respon-sible one – to consider a career as an agriculture teacher. Coming from you, it could mean a lot. Many current agriculture teachers point to an interaction with just one person who encouraged them to think about pursuing a career in agricultural education as the catalyst that led them to their life’s work. Seeing students in action during FFA activities can help you identify those who would make good teachers. From there, it’s a simple step to take a moment and tell that student what you see in him or her. “It’s a constant seed planting,” said Shauna Reynolds, cur-rent president of the Oregon FFA Alumni, about how to en-courage students to pursue agricultural education as a ca-reer. Alumni can support students who may be considering a career as an agriculture teacher through help with projects,

providing scholarships, or even by activating their network to help student teachers find housing. If you’re looking to make a wider impact, consider volunteer-ing to help coordinate a national Teach Ag Day celebration for your agriculture program. You could set up a webcast viewing party, help facilitate a teacher swap, or arrange spe-cial ag day treats for both teachers and students.

AGRICULTURE TEACHER RETENTIONOnce you’ve convinced someone to consider a career in ag-ricultural education, you can play a key role in keeping them in the profession. For agriculture teachers, alumni affiliate members can be an extra set of arms and legs, helping move the program forward and preventing teacher burnout and turnover.

“We can help them find the joy in their work, help celebrate and extend their successes and just be that extra pat on the back,” Reynolds said. Sept. 25 is a great time to start recruiting and retaining ag-riculture teachers, but it’s just the tip of the iceberg. Every day is a great day to celebrate agriculture teachers. The Teach Ag campaign also has resources to help you identify, nurture, support and retain agriculture teachers in your own community. You can access our Grow Your Own toolkit at http://www.naae.org/teachag/grow.cfm.

“The bottom line is, just keep your antennae up – for kids who think they might want to be agriculture teachers, teach-ers who may be getting burned out – anything,” Reynolds said.

Visit http://naae.org/teachag to learn about our interactive webcast on Sept. 25 – you could plan a party around that – and find much more to help you grow and celebrate agricul-tural education.

By Julie Fritsch, NAAE Communications and Marketing Director


VOLUNTEER AT CONVENTION

The 87th National FFA Convention & Expo is right around the corner. Be a part of the action! The national FFA is looking for volunteers to help load buses, travel with students to Career Success Tours, assist the morning of the American FFA De-gree ceremony, work information stations and more.

“Alumni should get involved on the national level because it’s an opportunity to engage in a service activity that supports the good of the organization,” Erin Noble, New Jersey state FFA specialist, said. “The experience can provide motivation to help with local needs and can help bring focus to the goals and purpose of the alumni. I know after I attend national-lev-el events, I come back with big ideas and a greater aware-ness of areas that need improvement.”

FFA alumni are valuable contributors at both state and na-tional conventions. New Jersey’s engagement of alumni at their state convention is top-notch. Noble shared how alum-ni make an impact on their state convention.

1. KEEP CONVENTION TRENDY.Convention would not be as efficient or “trendy” if it weren’t for the help of volunteers. Three state staff and seven state officers couldn’t conduct an entire convention at the level they do without engaged alumni.

2. MAKE THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION MORE VISIBLE. When alumni members are out and about, FFA members can see how they can continue to contribute to FFA once they take off the blue jacket. Bring attention to the alumni asso-ciation and its contributions. Encourage alumni members to wear the alumni blazer and other alumni gear at convention.

3. DELEGATE.These roles at the New Jersey convention were handled by alumni board members or past state officers: equipment manager (handled the projector screen/videos); courtesy corps coordinator; overall CDE coordinator; nominating committee coordinator; sound coordinator; lighting manag-er; photography/social media coordinator; stage manager; nominating committee assistant; and personal assistant.

“The volunteers allow the state staff to handle big picture tasks instead of the nitty-gritty details. They also allow us

to focus on the programming and to network with key stake-holders in attendance,” Noble said. “All of this helps the members have a safe and enjoyable experience.”

For more information about national volunteer opportuni-ties, visit FFA.org/convention and click on the Volunteer tab.

By Katy Mumaw

Take the chance to make a difference.

FFA alumni greet thousands of FFA members at the largeststudent gathering in the country.

13New Visions The Official Newsletter of the National FFA Alumni Associationwww.FFA.org

News

VOLUNTEER AT CONVENTIONTake the chance to make a difference.


BLUE LEGACYSmithsonian welcomes famous former FFA jackets.

The blue jacket.

Since 1933, when the first FFA jacket was worn at the Sixth National FFA Convention, it has evoked emotions steeped in tradition. In 2015, that jacket, that sense of pride, will be shared with others who visit the Smithsonian’s National Mu-seum of American History as part of the American Enterprise exhibit in Washington, D.C.

“Agriculture is a critical part of American history, and there is no better example of youth preparation for the challenges of the field than participation in FFA,” Curator Peter Liebhold said.

On Friday, July 25, FFA members attending the State Presi-dents’ Conference were able to attend an official ceremony where five jackets were donated to the museum. The five jackets will individually rotate on display in an exhibition fo-cused on the role of agriculture.

“These jackets being donated are not relics of a bygone era, left here to be seen behind glass walls,” Jackson Harris, na-tional FFA vice president, said. “These jackets are reminders of how bright the future of agriculture in this country truly is. This ceremony reminds us that the FFA jacket makes his-tory.”

For Karlene Lindow Krueger, she remembers the day she wore her jacket and was named the American Star Farmer for the year. Now, her jacket is part of history.

“It’s hard to describe how I feel,” Kreuger said. “When I put on the blue jacket for the first time, it felt like I was joining family ranks. Now that jacket is going to live on forever.”For FFA alumnus Corey Flournoy, also a former national FFA president, having his jacket as part of the exhibit gave him a sense of pride.

“FFA changed my life,” Flournoy said. “In FFA I found a place where I belonged, it gave me purpose.”

In addition, former U.S. president Jimmy Carter and Jesse Godbold, the former Florida cooperative extension service agricultural agent, both donated FFA jackets to the muse-um. The exhibit will open in July 2015.

By Kristy Meyer

National FFA officer Jackson Harris helps dedicate FFAjackets to the Smithsonian.

Former FFA members Corey Flournoy, Mary Louise Reynnellsand Karlene Lindow Krueger pose with their FFA jackets.


For more than 70 years, John Deere has partnered with the National FFA Organization to provide program support and academic scholarships to FFA members. With the recent creation of an alumni affiliate, John Deere aims to provide more for FFA and agricultural education.

Brea Harms, program manager for dealer communications and problem resolution for John Deere, said the affiliate started with 13 charter members and has grown to 146. To join, John Deere employees can transfer their alumni mem-bership from their home chapters to the affiliate or pay their annual or lifetime alumni dues. Knowing that some employ-ees would prefer to keep their membership with their home affiliates, the John Deere affiliate is still allowing employees in that situation to be involved.

The affiliate will operate out of its four main locations in Illi-nois, Indiana, Iowa and Kansas to serve those states, but all employees, regardless of location, are welcome to join.

“We recently had a meeting and 174 employees raised their hands and said they were willing to take a survey asking how they wanted to be involved,” Harms said. With the number of interested employees John Deere has, Harms believes several FFA chapters and programs can be reached.

As president of the alumni affiliate, Harms has directed the structure and development of the affiliate. “We have an offi-cer team including a president, secretary, treasurer and four regional vice presidents,” she said. “We have the structure for long-term engagement rather than just membership.”

The affiliate chapter has four committees: member devel-opment, chapter development, national and state founda-tion engagement and national and state conventions and conferences. With these committees, John Deere plans to participate at the local, regional, state and national levels, including mentoring student members, assisting chapters

and states with their FFA foundation fundraising efforts and speaking at events such as the National Leadership Confer-ence for State Officers.

Harms added other ways John Deere hopes to engage with FFA includes judging career development events, training chapter officers, supporting students in supervised agricul-tural experience programs, assisting communities in start-ing local chapters and talking with legislatures about agri-cultural education funding.

“I think all of us collectively give our members a way to con-tribute in a way that is comfortable to them. The value in our approach is that they’re telling us how they want to engage,” Harms said. “If we have an employee who has graphic de-sign skills, they have the chance to tell us they’d like to judge the agricultural communications CDE or help local chapters with recruitment brochures.

Harms added, “We have some employees who weren’t FFA members, but they know the criticality of developing future leaders and agricultural education. We want to provide an outlet for our employees to engage and give back in an area in which they’re passionate.”

By Logan Britton

“We have the structure forlong-term engagement

rather than just membership”

John Deere has partnered with FFA for more than 70 years.

WHERE GREEN MEETS BLUEJohn Deere starts alumni affiliate chapter to support FFA.


FFA ALUMNI GOES “PURE MICHGAN”The annual Alumni Development Conference inspires FFA supporters.

The National FFA Alumni became “Purely Michigan” from July 7 - 12 during their annual Alumni Development Confer-ence. Participants from more than 21 states converged on Grand Rapids, Mich., for the four-day conference in which alumni networked, shared ideas, and learned from each other in order to become stronger advocates for agricultural education and FFA.

Members attended educational workshops, presentations and tours focused on innovative programs, personal growth, Michigan agriculture and promising practices that could be taken home and implemented in their local affiliates. Matt Lohr and Wyatt DeJong, both former national FFA officers, invigorated FFA alumni and asked them to become the strongest servant leaders possible. This year, ADC had gen-erous sponsorship and partnerships from the Michigan FFA Alumni, Farm Credit Services, Tractor Supply Company and Redbrand Fencing.

True, ADC was jam-packed with amazing events and net-working opportunities, but some of the greatest moments came when alumni engaged with FFA members and advi-sors from Michigan FFA chapters including Ravenna FFA, Cedar Springs FFA and Hopkins FFA.

ADC is about alumni members and their development as leaders. The conference gives alumni the opportunity to be exposed to great ideas that can be taken home and shared with state and local alumni affiliates as well as local FFA members and advisors. Make plans to attend July 8 - 11, 2015, when Raleigh, N.C., plays host and see what all of the excitement is about!

By Joshua Rusk, Partner Development Specialist

For four days, the National FFA Alumni Association celebrat-ed FFA and agricultural education in Grand Rapids, Mich.,

during the annual Alumni Development Conference.

Mark your calendars now:The next Alumni Development Conference is July 8 - 11, 2015

in Raleigh, N.C.


News

WE NEED YOU…AND OUR MEMBERS NEED YOU TOO!Help our members and advisors make this National FFA Con-vention & Expo one they will never forget. Follow these steps to volunteer today:1. Visit FFA.org/convention and click on the Volunteers tab.2. Click on the “Click Here” link to go to the registration page.

SHOW US YOUR BASKET-MAKING SKILLSOnce again state baskets will be coming to the alumni con-vention. Make plans now to have the most popular and inter-esting basket represent your state and all it has to offer. The baskets will be sold during the Thursday evening alumni auc-tion. The creator of the basket bringing the most money and highest price will receive a registration to the Washington Leadership Conference in 2015. Make sure your state is well represented as the competition is always fierce. Contact the alumni association before Oct. 1 to ensure your spot. Email Jada Buchanan, [email protected], for more information.

RECHARGE YOUR AFFILIATE WITH A

REGIONAL ALUMNI DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCEMark your calendars to attend one of the remaining 2014 Re-gional Alumni Development Conferences. Tentative sched-ules and event information can be found at FFA.org. • Sept. 27, 2014, Nashville, Tenn. • Nov. 15, 2014, Hermiston, Ore.

GET YOUR ALUMNI GEAR AT SHOP FFALooking for that alumni sweatshirt or bling top to buy before you arrive at the convention and expo? Look no further than Shop FFA. To make access even easier, use your Agricultur-al Career Network username and password to sign on and access both FFA.org and Shop FFA. Don’t have an AgCN us-ername and password? Click “Sign Up” on the site to create both.

WE’RE ONLY AS GOOD AS YOUR DATAThe National FFA Alumni Council and FFA staff have iden-tified an increased need for data collection to more effec-tively provide factual information. The results of the data will increase advocacy at local, state and national levels. The collected data will leverage conversations to grow and sus-tain local agricultural education programs and FFA chapters across the country. The data will provide a broader look at the volunteers and total dollars provided to sustain and grow local programs and students. For more information on how you can make data collection a success by visiting FFA.org.

BID FOR SUCCESS DURINGTHE FFA ALUMNI AUCTION

The 2014 National FFA Alumni Benefit Auction will be Thurs-day, Oct. 30 at 8 p.m. in Rooms C203-204 of Louisville’s Ken-tucky Exposition Center. This event will be entertaining and exciting as FFA alumni auction amazing items, including a tractor/bailer lease, ATV, fly-fishing trip, a trip to Germany, an acrylic painting on canvas and more! Make sure you mark your National FFA Convention & Expo calendar today! Items up for auction can be found on FFA.org.

FFA ALUMNI SCORE AMAZING DEALSDid you know as an FFA Alumni member you can take advan-tage of special discounts from corporate sponsors? As you finish your summer travels, don’t forget to book your stay at any La Quinta for a discounted rate. Also, if you are looking to purchase a car, consider Dodge. All FFA alumni can receive a $500 rebate off a new Dodge vehicle. Stay tuned for more membership offers to come.

ENTER OUR YAMAHA VIKING GIVEAWAY

Yamaha has donated a new Viking ATV to be given to a lucky FFA alumni member. It is simple to enter: By Oct. 1 make sure your FFA alumni membership is current and then complete your AgCN profile (name, mailing address, email address, date of birth and year graduated from high school).

6060 FFA DriveP.O. Box 68960Indianapolis, IN46268-960

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDRANDOM LAKE, WI

PERMIT NO. 393

Dates to RememberSept. 27, 2014Regional Alumni Development Conference, Nashville, Tenn.

Oct. 1, 2014 Registration ends for the Yamaha Viking sweepstakes

Oct. 29-Nov. 1, 2014 National FFA Alumni Convention, Louisville, Ky.

Nov. 15, 2014 Regional Alumni Development Conference, Hermiston,Ore.

July 8-11, 2015 Alumni Development Conference, Raleigh/Durham, N.C.

Oct. 28-31, 2014 National FFA Alumni Convention, Louisville, Ky.

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