TWO NEW FFA CHAPTERS

Teachers Cheryl Sanders at Hutchison and Matt Shelborne at McGrath have expressed a strong interest

by Kevin Fochs

ALASKA FFA NEWS HAPPENINGS IN AK | Issue#1

Alaska FFA

News Happenings

in AKLEADERSHIP FOR THE FUTURE IN THIS ISSUE

Hopefully this newsletter finds everyone enjoying the great start to a New Year. My goal with this letter is to update you on the happenings around the state with AK FFA. Recently the FFA board met and worked to develop a list of goals for FFA in Alaska and goals for their new advisor. From this meeting came a new direction for the board and some renewed vigor for FFA's success. Together we are proceeding with a dedicated teacher organization and a new board design that includes other members of the agriculture & natural resource community. The following individuals are strongly considering joining the new FFA board of Directors.

Lee Hecimovich, UAF Extension Service

Ray Ralonde, UAF Marine AdvisoryAmy Harmon, Past FFA State Advisor

Al Poindexter- Retired FFAAdvisor/Teacher

Curtis Clough, Alaska Dept. of Education CTE DirectorCameron Poindexter, Bristol Bay Native Corp. Investment ManagerAmy Petit, Alaska Division of Agriculture MarketingAmy Seitz, Alaska State Farm Bureau Executive DirectorJeremy Stone, Alaska State Trooper, Former Alaska FFA memberRayne Reynolds, Anchorage Police Officer, Former FFA member

FFA Board ChangesNew Chapters

A Glance at State FFANew CDE’s (Career Development Events) Onry or AANRE ?Due Dates

Preparations are underway for the the upcoming state FFA Leadership Conference to be held in Anchorage at the Changepoint Church April 21-24. These are the events that will be held at state this year followed by the tentative dates & times ( subject to change) and individuals that will be contacted to help organize, conduct or judge those events.

Floriculture - Julie Riley, Mariem Karlson, Al Poindexter, Master Gardeners Briar Fendall

Vet Science – Lee Hecimovich, Taylor Armstrong, Dr. Lisa

FFA Board of Directors ReorganizationBy Kevin Fochs

PROSPECTIVE FFA BOARD MEMBERS

ALASKA FFA NEWS HAPPENINGS IN AK | Issue#1 2

Lunn, Dr. Harrison Wellman (North Star Vet Clinic)

Ag Mechanics – Don Berberich, Yukon Equipment, Palmer Grange, Ronin Ruerup

Marine Technology – Ray Ralonde, Jane Eisemann, will have a workshop followed by contest

Job Interview –Jonathan

Biggerstaff Prepared Public Speaking–

Jonathan Biggerstaff

Creed: Junior High & Freshmen Events

A Quick Glance at the State FFA Leadership Conference

Tuesday 4/21 4:00 Registration Star Greenhand

Wednesday 4/22 Job Interview Extemporaneous Speaking

Parliamentary Procedure/Opening Ceremonies and conducting a meeting – Rayne Reynolds, Briar Fendall

Thursday 4/23 Veterinary Science Ag Mechanics Job Interview Finals

Floriculture

Ag Issues – will be presented at a session—Sam Unruh

Star State Greenhand

Envirothon –Teaudra Sanders

Star Chapter Farm Business Management Extemporaneous Speaking

Friday 4/24 Marine Technology Ag Issues

Saturday 4/25Envirothon

.

Vet Science at State

How about those young members that need a little extra chance to prove themselves or chapters that want to step it up a notch. This year there will be three new events at State. Each chapter's outstanding Freshman will represent their chapter as Star Greenhand at State with a chance to bring home $100 and possibly bring home Rikki Tikki by winning the Star State Greenhand of Alaska. Chapters who want to bring home the gold can complete the first two pages of the National Star Chapter application which highlights their chapter events in community, chapter and studentdevelopment and bring home a monster traveling trophy and win this year's Star Chapter Event.

Recognizing the importance of the Fishing Industry to the state we will be launching a new CDE at State called Marine Technology. We have invited new schools from around

April 1 - Final Date to Reserve Rooms for State at Dimond Center Hotel (907)770-5000

April 1 - Registration For State Due

April 1 –Hoodie Order Due

April 3 -State Degree Applications Due

April 3 -State Office Applications Due

NEW MEMBERS ---------------NEW EVENTS

ALASKA FFA NEWS HAPPENINGS IN AK | Issue#1 3

AANRE or ORNERY?

In order to develop a consistent message and create a recognizable professional organization for teachers a new acronym AAANRE will become the name for Alaska’s Agriculture and Natural Resource Educators/FFA Advisors. The acronym (AAANRE) stands for the Alaska Association of Agriculture and Natural Resource Educators. Our teachers need an organization that they can take ownership in. They need an organization that can represent their teaching profession and provide a means for them to develop themselves professionally. Through this organization teachers can work cohesively to promote Agriculture and Natural Resource Education in the state. Jane Eisemann teacher at Kodiak related the acronym AANRE in

Ap

HERE BY THE OWL

ALASKA FFA NEWS HAPPENINGS IN AK | Issue#1 4

North Pole FFAers at the Peony Conference

The National FFA is launching a new website on February 9. Check it out!

The Marine Technology CDE will be the only one like it in the nation. Learn something new.

The National FFA Organization has over 600,00 members

FAST FACTS

FOR MORE INFORMATION

ContactAlaska FFA AssociationKevin Fochs Advisor1509 S, Georgeson RoadPalmer, AK 99645kfochs@alaska.edu(907) 746-9499