october 2009, ffa new horizons

The Power

FFA members give color to service projects

A Penny Saved

10ways to Lead Out Loud at the 82nd National FFA Convention

Make your summer earnings last all semester

of Paint

Create a profile. Add friends. Start a group. Voice your opinions.

t h e m a g a z i n e o f t h e n a t i o n a l f f a o r g a n i z a t i o n | o c t o b e r 2 0 0 9new horizonsFFA

®l o g o n at f fa n e w h o r i z o n s . o r g

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What’s NewCheck out our Convention page for the latest news on the upcoming

82nd National FFA Convention. And starting on Tuesday, Oct. 20,

we’ll be blogging live and posting photos from the event. Visit

now and visit often for everything FFA convention-related!

Log in to comment on articles and blogs

Jesse Hall, Elizabethtown

FFA, Pa.

Go online to submit your FFA experiences.

“Our FFA ChApter

reCently held An Ag envirOnmentAl dAy,

where we tAught FOurth grAders AbOut AgriCulture

And the envirOnment. it’s very rewArding FOr

Our members.”

Join the national FFA convention conversations on FFA Nation. Find other members who will be heading to Indy next month, discuss the events you plan to attend and even make plans to meet up with your FFA Nation friends!

45.5%

18.2%

13.6%

22.7%

DiscussionsHas anyone done an aquaponics system? If so, any helpful hints?� �ffacutie01

Log in to FFA Nation to respond.

web pOlli joined FFA because…

i live on a farm or ranch.

because blue corduroy is awesome!

i have family in FFA.

i wanted to join a school organiization.

thanks to FFA nation user pman1294 for creating this poll.

On the CoverIllinois FFA members help restore a barn in Nashville, Tenn. Photo By J. Kyle Keener

12

16

8 cover storyThe Power of PaintFFA members give color to community service projects.

Make Some NoiseThis year’s national FFA convention focuses on Leading Out Loud.

Lights, Camera, ActionFFA member Clayton Thornton runs the show at local theater productions.

4 FFA FacesConnect with members from across the country.

6 ScrapbookRead news, jokes and more.

20 National Officer Q & AMeet Vice President Riley Branch.

22 Your MoneyMake your summer earnings last all year.

24 What’s HotLearn why canned food drives are important.

26 What’s OnNavigate colleges, careers and the convention.

28 Back TalkRead about former member Darleen Vaterlaus.

new horizonsffaThe magazine of the National FFA Organization

Volume 57 Number 1

®

Kim Newsom V.P./Custom Publishing JoyCe Caruthers Copy editor Jessy yaNCey associate editor aNdrea Bloom, Chris hayhurst, Contributing writers JessiCa mozo, JessiCa walKer Keith harris Creative director BriaN mcCord senior Photographer Jeff adKiNs, todd BeNNett, staff Photographers aNtoNy Boshier, iaN CurCio, J. Kyle KeeNer ChristiNa CardeN associate Production director Katie middeNdorf Production Project manager CaNdiCe sweet, ViKKi williams senior Graphic designers eriCa hiNes, amy NelsoN Graphic designers marCia millar, PatriCia moisaN, ad traffic raVeN Petty Gary smith distribution director yaNCey turturiCe information technology director aNdy hartley web implementation director fraNCo sCaramuzza web design director yamel ruiz web Project manager Carl sChulz web design JeNNifer GraVes web Production twila alleN Color imaging technician Julie woodard ffa Publications manager Kristy meyer, amBer strieGel ffa Communications ray laNGeN executive Vice President Carla h. thurmaN sr. V.P./sales Casey e. hester sr. V.P./operations marK forester V.P./Visual Content teree Caruthers V.P./editorial director Natasha loreNs Production director Jeffrey s. otto Photography director Beth murPhy advertising sales manager, Custom division tori huGhes integrated media manager raChel matheis sales/marketing Coordinator shelly Grissom office manager liNda BishoP receptionistfor advertising information, contact tori hughes, (800) 333-8842, ext. 281, or e-mail [email protected].

2008-09 National FFA Officers Paul moya, Nm President Nessie early, Ca secretary haNNah CrosseN, oh eastern region Vice President laila haJJi, oK Central region Vice President reGiNa holliday, Ga southern region Vice President riley BraNCh, tX western region Vice President

National FFA Staff larry Case National advisor, Chief executive officer steVe BrowN executive secretary Bill fleet acting Chief operating officer marioN fletCher National treasurer Julie adams, marK CaVell, division directors dale CraBtree, JaNet maloNey, deNNis sarGeNt, KeNt sChesCKe, ViCKi settle, lee aNNe shiller, toNy small, Bill staGG, will waideliCh

National FFA Board of Directors – Members larry Case Chair, usde, Va steVe BrowN secretary, usde, Va marioN fletCher treasurer, state supervisor, ar Jim BarBee state supervisor, NV roBert B. CalViN agriculture teacher/usde, mo wilBur ChaNCellor state supervisor, ms Keith CoX ffa executive secretary/usde, sC Joel larseN state supervisor, mN Curt luCas state supervisor, Ky BriaN e. myers associate Professor/usde, fl JohN raKestraw Business representative/usde, Co

Subscription Information:FFA New Horizons (issN 1069-806X) is published feb., april, June, aug., oct. and dec. by the National ffa organization, 6060 ffa drive, indianapolis, iN 46268-0960. Publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts, art or any other unsolicited materials. for subscription information contact: FFA New Horizons subscription services, (317) 802-4235 or e-mail [email protected]. Periodical postage rate is paid at indianapolis, ind., and additional mail offices.

Postmaster: Please send address changes to FFA New Horizons, P.o. Box 68960, indianapolis, iN 46268-0960.

C U S TO M M A G A Z I N E M E D I A

Copyright© 2009 by the National ffa organizationand Journal Communications inc.

the National ffa organization is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

Please recycle this magazine

3FFA New HOrizONsFFANewHOrizONs.OrG

October 2009 Contents

Win a Chevrolet T-shirtChevrolet, the sponsor of FFA Faces, will award a T-shirt to featured members.

Nominate yourself by following the steps below. Questions? E-mail [email protected].

AL

KY

ND WI

IN

Melinda, a high school junior, has been involved with a horse and

beef cattle SAE for the past seven years, even before she joined

FFA as a freshman. Melinda helps her FFA advisor train the

underclassmen parliamentary procedure CDE team and is active in

the fruit sale. She is also active in 4-H pony club and serves as a

captain in her local 4-H color guard.

Melinda Hattery Chapter: North Miami FFA

A high school senior, Lane has developed a diverse SAE. His

projects include showing sheep, goats and swine and working on

the family farm raising grain, oil and sorghum crops. He also helps

feed and maintain his family’s Angus cow/calf operation. Lane has

competed in the livestock evaluation and prepared public speaking

CDEs and served as president of his FFA chapter.

Lane HeathChapter: Canton FFA

This high school senior first joined FFA when her advisor

encouraged her to take part in CDEs. In addition to participating

in floriculture and small animal events, Erin attended the national

FFA convention, earned her Greenhand FFA Degree, and served as

chapter secretary and treasurer. She plans to attend college and

major in accounting and agribusiness.

Erin IngliChapter: Spring Valley FFA

This high school senior served as chapter president for two years

and recently retired as the state FFA sentinel. Anna Leigh was

also the state proficiency winner for her home and community

development SAE and placed third in the state extemporaneous

public speaking CDE. She will attend Auburn University and plans

to become an agriculture instructor.

Anna Leigh PeekChapter: West Limestone FFA

Alicia, a high school junior, is an active member of her FFA chapter.

She earned her Greenhand FFA Degree, has attended the state and

national FFA conventions, and was a member of the dairy cattle

career development event (CDE) team, which placed ninth in the

state out of 67 teams. She also enjoys helping out on the family

farm and learning new agricultural skills.

Alicia AppelmanChapter: Bracken County FFA

A high school senior, Zachary uses his FFA experiences to gain

career skills. Through his supervised agricultural experience

(SAE) program, Zachary works at a local veterinary clinic where he

observes surgeries and assists with examinations. He also

served as chapter president and earned his chapter’s FFA

achievement award.

Zachary RamedenChapter: Rugby FFA

– Andrea Bloom

Create Describe NominateGo to ffanation.ffa.org and sign

up for an FFA Nation profile.Upload a profile photo and fill out the fields to tell us about

your FFA experiences.

Under the FFA Faces thread on the Discussions page, tell us why you should be featured.

OK

4 FFA NEw HoRIZoNs FFANEwHoRIZoNs.oRG

FFA Faces

Strong FoundationSure, you’ve heard of the National FFA

Foundation before, but do you know what

it’s all about?

The National FFA Foundation secures

financial support for FFA programs

from businesses, organizations and

individuals. In short, this group helps

ensure that future FFA members will

have the same opportunities as you.

And the businesses and individuals

who sponsor FFA activities have a strong

commitment to this organization.

So the next time you see an FFA

sponsor or receive an award, take a

minute to say thank you or send a

nice card. Show them that you care, too.

What did the tree ask the leaves last autumn? Why are you falling for me?

Kyle Kakela Rolla FFA, N.D.

Just Joking

Send us your best jokes through our Online Feedback Form.

ffanewhorizons.org

National FFA officers Paul Moya and Regina Holliday visit with Bill Ford of Ford Motor Co., a National FFA Foundation platinum sponsor.


FFA scrapbook express yourself

47National FFA

agricultural

proficiency

awards will be

named during

the 82nd National

FFA Convention

in October.

1906was the first year

a race was held at

the Indianapolis

Motor Speedway.

While in Indy for

the convention,

make plans to visit

and learn more

about the sport

of car racing.

FYIYour Turn

Keep us informed!

This is your chance to

be a part of FFA New

Horizons. Send us a

short article about

your latest chapter

activities, awards

you’ve received or

even your involvement

outside FFA.

Be sure to include

a high-quality color

photo and your

contact information.

Want an easy way to

send your story? Visit

ffanewhorizons.org

and click on Tell us.

Or, send to:

FFA New Horizons

P.O. Box 68960

Indianapolis, IN 46268

[email protected]

Congratulations to Lauren osborn, a Letchworth FFA member, who is currently serving as the new York State Dairy Princess. A four-year FFA member, Lauren has competed in the state speaking competitions every year and participated in numerous leadership opportunities. Way to go, Lauren!

Fighting BlightEver heard of a chinkapin? The Ozark

chinkapin, once a dominant tree in North

Arkansas forests, now usually grows to be

no larger than a shrub before it dies of

Chinese chestnut blight.

But the Marshall FFA Chapter in Arkansas

is working with area conservation groups

toward restoring this tree.

Chinkapin wood, once used for fence posts

and lumber, is high in tannins, which create

a natural resistance to rotting.

For the project, Marshall FFA members

are propagating chinkapin trees in the

greenhouse, using nuts from trees that

grew large enough to bear fruit before

dying of the blight. These seedlings will

grow for several years and then be

infected with the blight.

If there are survivors, they might

become seedstock for a breeding program

of blight-resistant chinkapins.

Judged a SuccessEach year, Tarleton State University’s

College of Agriculture and Human

Sciences hosts a career development

event (CDE) invitational competition for

Texas FFA members. This year, more than

5,000 FFA members were present – the

highest attendance ever. The invitational

offers students a “practice round” and

allows them to prepare for team judging

in 13 categories. The top individuals and

chapters are recognized with prizes.

7FFA New HorIzoNsFFANewHorIzoNs.orG

Cover Story

8 FFA New HorizoNS FFANewHorizoNS.orG

DifferenceYou Can Make a

Giving back to your community is the first step to changing the world

We’ve all heard President

John F. Kennedy’s famous

quote, “Ask not what your

country can do for you – ask what

you can do for your country.”

As an FFA member, you already

know that’s the kind of volunteer

spirit behind the FFA organization.

Chances are you’re already

finding ways to give your time and

energy back to your community,

whether through chapter activities

or your own efforts. But if your

volunteer drive has, well, shifted

into neutral, you don’t have to look

far to find a little inspiration.

“Why it’s important for FFA

members to support their

communities can be answered by

considering what happens when

they don’t,” says Damon Spight, an

education specialist for the national

FFA. “Pride in the community suffers.

The quality of life for the community

is reduced. There’s less physical

activity and less healthy lifestyles.”

The possibilities for making a

positive impact on your community

are endless, but one opportunity FFA

has created is the Campbell Soup Co.

barn restoration project.

In 2008, FFA partnered with

Campbell to restore old barns across

the nation in an effort to give back

to those who work in the industry of

agriculture. Valspar Corporation

joined the effort, donating the paint

needed for the barns’ facelifts.

From August 2008 to May 2009,

9FFA New HorizoNsFFANewHorizoNs.orG

Story by Jessica MozoPhotography by J. Kyle Keener

In March a group of Illinois FFA members offered their time and labor to help restore a barn in Nashville, Tenn.

Cover Story

FYIOppOrtunities AwAit YOu

Looking for a volunteer

opportunity in your

community?

Talk with your FFA

advisor about launching

a chapter service project.

You can even receive

grant money to support

your service-learning

project. Check out the

Living to Serve website

(ffa.org/ltsgrants) to

learn more.

For project ideas,

visit these websites:

ffa.org/ndos

www.nylc.org

www.ysa.org

www.serVenet.org

www.idealist.org

volunteers from FFA chapters and FFA alumni

around the country restored five barns – in

Reddick, Ill.; Cherryvale, Kan.; Nashville, Tenn.;

Corfu, N.Y.; and Clackamas, Ore. Five additional

barns will be restored each year, thanks to

the generosity of the program sponsors.

Karen Guy, owner of the Nashville barn,

says she was very moved by the selflessness

and dedication of the 60 FFA members and

alumni who worked on her historic barn.

Volunteers replaced the barn’s rotted

boards, stabilized support beams, rebuilt

doors and put on a fresh coat of red paint

with white trim. In the end, the FFA members

restored more than just the barn.

“I’m not around a lot of young people,

and I was so in awe of their hard work and

their great attitude,” Guy says. “They

restored my faith in future generations.”

The National FFA Organization’s

National Days of Service program also exists

to help members learn about the impact

made by volunteering their time.

“National Days of Service is a fantastic

service project that’s offered during the

national FFA convention, and it’s always a

big hit with students,” says Lucy Whitehead,

program manager for the National FFA

Alumni Association.

illinois FFA member tyson seggenbruch, left, helps install new window frames during the restoration of a historic barn in nashville, tenn. the farm has been put into a land trust so that it can never be developed.

FFA SEE video ONLINE

Visit ffanewhorizons.org to learn more

about the barn restoration project.

During the 2008 convention, 12 service

sites were selected in the Indianapolis area,

ranging from a therapeutic horseback

riding center to Habitat for Humanity.

Over three days, 1,139 FFA members

volunteered at all 12 sites, giving more than

$91,000 in time and service value. Each site

demonstrated to FFA members how projects

could be replicated in their own communities.

Similar projects are planned for the 2009

National FFA Convention in Indianapolis (see

ffa.org/convention to learn more).

“FFA members really live to serve and

value their communities,” Whitehead says.

“They love to step up and take the lead, and

they really do have volunteer hearts.”

10 FFA NEw HOrIzONS FFANEwHOrIzONS.OrG

FYINavigate the CoNveNtioN

While attending the

national FFA

convention, it’s easy to

be a bit overwhelmed.

This year, we’re

publishing a special

Convention Navigator

to help you out. Pick up

a copy at the official

convention

registration booth or

information booths.

Turn to page 26 to

learn more about this

great new convention

resource.

It’s that time again – pack your bags and

get ready to head to Indianapolis for the

82nd National FFA Convention.

Kicking off on Wednesday, Oct. 21, and

winding down on Saturday, Oct. 24, this year’s

theme is “Lead Out Loud.”

If you’re wondering what to expect, ease

your curiosity and check out our top 10 list of

what’s noteworthy at this year’s convention.

If you’re still thirsty for more, visit the

convention pages at ffanewhorizons.org

and ffa.org/convention for even more

exciting announcements and news!

1. Lucas OiL stadium

Those who attended last year’s national

FFA convention will probably remember

this facility. It’s pretty important, serving

as the site of several convention events and

attractions – and this year is no different.

With state photos, concerts, food court, Stars

Over America Pageant, American FFA Degree

ceremony and more, Lucas Oil Stadium will

continue to buzz with activity during this

year’s convention.

2. cOnventiOn cOncerts

This year’s convention will feature a

Wednesday night concert with mega-singer

Toby Keith! Tickets are $30 and $40, with

doors opening at 8:30 p.m. To purchase

tickets and see the full lineup, visit

ffa.org/convention.

Also, be sure to attend the National

FFA Band and Chorus concert and the other

venues where FFA members show off their

own talents. This year, you may even hear

some FFA members performing at the Circle

Centre Mall!

3. natiOnaL days Of service

FFA members have the opportunity to

serve as volunteers in Indianapolis, giving

their time to local organizations like Gleaners

Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity and Indy

Parks. If you’ve never participated in the

Story by Jessica Walker

this year’s national FFa convention focuses on LeadiNg out Loud

NoiseMake Some

FFa members like Chelsea LaJoye showcase their musical talents as part of the National FFa Band. BriA

N McC

ord

FFA 2009 National

NavigatorConvention

• Career profiles• College listings• National Agricultural Career Show map• Indianapolis attractions

12 FFa New HorIzoNs FFANewHorIzoNs.orG

Days of Service before, make plans to

do so this year!

4. The Laser show

A convention favorite worth

writing home about, the laser show

is back. You can look forward to

viewing a thrilling spectacle at each

general session, sure to impress

even the most experienced

convention attendees. And in

keeping with the convention theme,

we want you to be LOUD and proud

when the show starts!

5. Tours and day-Trips

Spend time learning more

about agriculture and career

opportunities by going on one of the

tours or day-trips organized for the

convention. Some of your options

include career success tours,

educational tours and the National

FFA Center tour.

For the full listing of tour

opportunities, check out

ffa.org/convention.

6. Career show

The National FFA Agricultural

Career Show offers more than 1,300

booths with representatives from a

variety of colleges, agriculture-

related companies and other

organizations ready to answer

questions and provide information.

7. ConvenTion souvenirs

Just next door to the career

show, you can pick up a few

souvenirs at the FFA Shopping

Mall. More than 30 stores are on

site, including John Deere,

Cowpokes, Tractor Supply Co., the

Indiana State Museum Gift Shop

and more. Visit the FFA Mega Store

to score chapter supplies, T-shirts,

posters and other must-haves.

8. naTionaL FFa oFFiCers

Listen to Paul, Nessie, Hannah,

Laila, Regina and Riley deliver

speeches and take time to thank

them for their year of service while

welcoming six new national FFA

officers for 2009-2010.

9. BronCs, BuLLs and More

Saddle up for the 2009 Bulls and

Broncs Championship finale. The

event will feature cowboys fighting

for the win, as well as bucking

horses and bulls.

10. iT’s aLL inTeraCTive

Even if you can’t make it to the

convention, you can still join in on

the fun. You can tune in to the

general sessions on RFD-TV. You can

also go online to check out the latest

news, award winners and feature

stories at ffanewhorizons.org and

ffa.org/convention.

J. k

yle

keen

er


Cheer for your state during the fourth general session, when each state’s flag is presented and posted on the convention stage.


Georgia FFA member Clayton Thornton has a knack for working with computers, cameras, lighting equipment and anything technical.

Next time you go to a play, whether it’s

at school or in a professional theater, pay

attention to the lights.

Under normal circumstances, you

might not notice them at all, focusing

instead on the action onstage. But those

lights do big things. They set scenes, create

tension and highlight speakers. In many

ways, they help tell the story; in some cases,

they are the story.

“I love the way lighting changes the

mood of things,” says Clayton Thornton,

a college sophomore majoring in media

ministry at North Greenville University in

Tigerville, S.C. “The effects you can create

are incredible.”

Media ministry, Clayton says,

involves integrating audio, video and

other media platforms into high-energy

presentations that churches can use to

jumpstart their services.

Simply put, it’s worship entertainment –

and for someone like Clayton, a self-described

“techie” with a knack for things like computers,

soundboards and graphic design, – a media

ministry major is a great way to learn the ropes.

A graduate of North Oconee High School

in Bogart, Ga., Clayton’s first exposure to the

intricacies of lighting was at a theater

seminar in seventh grade.

“After that, I started getting involved

with the theater, working with lighting

design, and then that expanded into sound

production and computer projection,”

Clayton says. “It’s just grown from there.”

During high school, even as he served in

four different FFA chapter officer positions,

Clayton spent much of his free time at a local

playhouse, shadowing pros and gaining

hands-on experience.

“That’s where I learned most of the stuff

I know today,” he says. “I met lots of great

people and asked them all kinds of questions,

and just listened to what they had to say.”

Meanwhile, he also worked as the technical

director at both his school theater and his

church, was co-editor of his senior yearbook,

and shot photos and videos for numerous

Clayton thornton, a self-described ‘techie,’ runs the show at local theater productions

ActionLights, Camera,

Story by Chris Hayhurst

J. k

yle

keen

er

17FFa New HorizoNsFFANewHorizoNs.orG

We’ve long known that FFA members are about more than just “cows, sows and plows.” you are selfless, motivated, and most of all, unique.

Throughout this school year, we’re highlighting FFA members who embody what today’s FFA is all about. last issue, you met katie, a talented singer-songrwriter. This month, meet Clayton, who describes himself as a “techie.”

Clayton is FFA. Are you?

me to do certain things, I’m

developing more of a visual mind.

I’m finding myself becoming more

and more creative every day.”

Clayton hopes he can use that

unique combination of technical

know-how and creativity to someday

land his dream job – lighting designer

with the high-flying, world-famous

acrobatic troupe Cirque du Soleil.

And if that fails?

“I’ve always believed that if you

look for them, opportunities will

arise,” Clayton says. “And it’s your

job to take advantage of those

opportunities. You have to step

forward, and if you fail, you can

always get back up and try again.”

Clayton says he finds inspiration for his lighting and video projects by embracing the natural environment all around him.

events, including the FFA banquet.

“My senior year, my supervised

agricultural experience program

(SAE) focused on making the video

for the banquet,” Clayton says. “I

shot video clips of everything we

did and everywhere we went.”

Once he had his material, he

boiled it down to one 10-minute

highlight reel. The video was such a

hit that Clayton wound up making

copies and selling them.

While he enjoys making videos,

Clayton’s true passion is in lighting.

It’s challenging, he says,

requiring just the right balance of

technical knowledge and creative

ambition. In theater, for example,

it’s the lighting designer’s job to

coordinate all lighting effects with

what’s taking place onstage.

“If I’m watching them rehearse

and they start singing a song about

the sun coming up, I’ll make a note

in the script that I want the lights

to turn yellow,” Clayton explains.

Later, or sometimes right there

on the spot, he records “cues” into a

lightboard – an electronic device

that controls all the lighting details.

“Most shows bring in the

technical aspects the week before the

show begins,” Clayton says. “I usually

record between 70 and 100 cues per

show, and preset everything.”

Using lighting to tap his creative

side has been fun, he says.

“I used to not think of myself

as a creative person. I was always

seeing these things and thinking,

‘Wow, I would have loved to have had

an idea like that,’” he says. “I never

thought I was creative enough to

come up with those kinds of ideas

myself. But now, as I’m getting

better at using the tools that allow


Are you also a “techie?” Tell FFA Nation about your interests and experiences. Sign up for a profile and show off pictures of your best work.

Riley Branch joined FFA because he wanted

to try something new. Riley grew up on an

Angus cattle ranch in northwest Texas, where,

as he puts it, “the stars are bright and there

aren’t many trees,” and FFA seemed like

something he would enjoy. He did, and today

he is serving the organization as its Western

Region Vice President.

Q What is the meaning behind the

national FFA convention theme

you and your teammates selected?

A The convention theme is Lead Out Loud,

and this convention is all about what

FFA members can do to lead loudly

through action. FFA members have an

unbelievable impact in their communities,

and the national FFA convention is all about

celebrating your work!

Q What is one memory from this

year that you’ll never forget?

A I was very fortunate to travel to Alaska

for its state FFA convention, where

there were about 60 students in

attendance. While spending time with

members, eating reindeer sausage and

moose soup, climbing mountains, and

checking out grizzly bears, I had a blast.

That was when the diversity of areas that

FFA reaches became clear to me. All of the

students I’ve met this year are unique, but

the organization is able to work with all of

them to help them achieve their dreams.

Q Now that you’ve spent nearly a year

getting to know your team, can you

describe your teammates in one word each?

AHannah is disciplined, Nessie is

spontaneous, Paul is diligent, Laila

is caring and Regina is thoughtful.

Q As an agricultural leadership major

in college, what types of skills are

you learning in your college courses?

A At Texas Technological University,

our degree focuses on organization

development and building businesses

and organizations. We study a lot of the

theory behind leadership and how people

respond to a leader’s different traits.

These are all skills that will help us serve

organizations to make them more efficient

and to build a tightly knit team of employees.

BranchNational FFA WesterN

region Vice President

RileyFYIriley’s FAVorites

Did you know this

Texas native used to

rodeo competitively?

Learn more about

Riley:

Personal hero: Granddad

Candy: Milky Way

Vacation spot: Colorado

Food: Mexican

CDe: Horse Evaluation

sport to watch: College football

Click on in this issue for more from our interview with riley.

ffanewhorizons.org

20 FFA New HorIzoNs FFANewHorIzoNs.orG

FFA National officer Q & A

SavedA Penny

Make your summer earnings last all semester

Now that summer is over,

chances are, so is your

summer job. And that means

it’s time to focus more on schoolwork

and less on work that actually earns

you a paycheck – at least until next

summer rolls around.

Hopefully, you’ve been able to

stash some of your hard-earned

cash in a checking or savings

account, or even in a jar on your

nightstand. Now the trick is making

it last through the school year.

The first step to successfully

living off your summer earnings

from September through May is to

make a budget. Figure out how much

you spend each month on things like

gas, eating out, going to the movies

and shopping. Then limit yourself to

a certain amount of money in each

category every month.

Sandra Shore, senior counselor

for a nonprofit New Jersey credit

counseling agency called Novadebt,

says it’s also important to consider

the real cost of repetitive purchases

that don’t seem expensive at the time.

“For example, a latte may only be

$3, but at the end of the month, that’s

$90 if you have one every day,” Shore

says. “That’s a pair of shoes or gas

for the car. And at the end of the

year, that’s $1,080.”

Here are some additional tips

to help you learn to make your cash

last – not just through the school

year, but throughout your life.

1. Consider value.

Consider the value of

what you buy to you, not what your

friends will think.

“Teens especially are very

susceptible to peer pressure, and

they may spend money on clothes or

entertainment because their friends

are doing that,” Shore says.

2. PaCk light.

Leave your debit card

at home. Only carry a small amount

of cash so you’re not tempted to give

into buying things on an impulse.

3. keeP reCords.

Manage your checking

account wisely. Don’t forget to write

down everything you spend.

“Track your expenses so you

can see where your money is

going,” Shore says. “A teen may

not need a checking account to

pay bills, but they do need to

know how to use one once they

are on their own.“

4. say no to PlastiC.

“Students are often

offered credit cards while still in

high school, and this is an area

where we see a lot of problems,”

Shore says. “Many students use

credit cards and find they can’t pay

the balances. Understand that a

card should only be used as a

convenience and not to spend more

money than you have. Using credit

wisely means paying off card

balances in full each month.”

5. delay gratifiCation.

Instead of spending all

the money you have, think of ways

you could use it in the future. You

can even tape pictures that remind

you of your long-term goals (a car,

computer, college or trip to a foreign

country, perhaps)

around your

room to help

keep your goals

on track.

– Jessica Mozo

22 FFa New HorizoNs FFANewHorizoNs.orG

FFA your money saving your earnings

A Can-Do AttitudeHere at FFA New Horizons, we receive

reports from FFA members across the country

about your inspiring community service

activities. (By the way, we welcome these

stories and hope you’ll keep sending them!)

Many of your activities involve local

canned food drives, and these types of drives

continue to be vital. Here’s why:

• Hunger is a serious reality for one in eight

Americans – including adults and children.

• Each year, the Feeding America network of

food banks distributes 2 billion pounds of

food to needy Americans.

• Feeding America provides emergency food

assistance to approximately 4.5 million

people in any given week.

Find your local food bank and learn more

about the Feeding America program at

feedingamerica.org.

Creating a Cleaner CountyEight years ago, the Churchill County FFA chapter in Nevada began

what seemed like a small project of collecting twine from farms, ranches

and dairies around the county. Little did they know, the project would

become the chapter’s largest community service project and fundraiser.

The members soon learned that one ton of hay produces one pound of

twine, and that Churchill County produces a lot.

The FFA members collect about 70,000 pounds of twine each year.They

gather the twine two to three times each week by driving around nearby

ranches. Then they use a cardboard compacter to push the twine into one-

ton bales. The bales are shipped in a large truck to a recycling center,

where the twine is melted into plastic pellets and used in roofing plastic.

“Recycling is important for our chapter,” says Christy Fagundes,

chapter FFA reporter. “Not only is this project profitable for us, but we also

have the ability to create a cleaner world.”


FFA what's hot Cool stuff to know

Convention NoiseWant to know the most

up-to-date news about the 82nd

National FFA Convention?

Visit our convention page

on ffanewhorizons.org for

announcements and news, as

well as member-submitted

comments and thoughts about

the convention theme, Lead Out

Loud. During the convention,

we’ll be blogging constantly.

You can also visit

ffa.org/convention for lists of

award winners, videos and

press releases.

FFA 2009 National

NavigatorConvention

• Career profiles• College listings• National Agricultural Career Show map• Indianapolis attractions

Careers, College and Convention

Check out the 2009 National

FFA Convention Navigator,

available online at

ffanewhorizons.org.

Inside this neat digital

magazine, you’ll find information

on agricultural careers, a listing

of colleges that will be exhibiting

at the national FFA convention

and more.

There’s also a map of the

2009 FFA National Agricultural

Career Show and lists of

Indianapolis attractions.

The online version is available

now, and be sure to pick up a

printed copy at the national FFA

convention registration booth.

news web

American Bucking Bull Inc. www.americanbuckingbull.com

Dawn Bravo – Tulsa Welding School www.weldingschool.com

General Motors/Chevrolet Division www.chevy.com

Justin Brands, Justin Boots www.justingypsy.com

Kansas State University College of Agriculture www.ag.k-state.edu

Keystone Steel & Wire www.redbrandgear.com

Monsanto Company www.producemoreconservemore.com

National FFA Organization www.ffa.org

OSU Institute of Technology www.osuit.edu/t/ffa2009

Rocky Mountain Clothing Company www.rmcjeans.com

US Marine Corps www.marines.com

USDA/APHIS www.aphis.usda.gov

VF Jeanswear/Wrangler www.20x.com/tx_home.php

VISIT OUR ADVERTISERS


FFA what's on media buzz

When Darleen Vaterhaus realized

the need for teachers to obtain

new educational items for their

classrooms, she decided she could help.

The result? The Donate 2 Educate

program, which is a social donation website

(www.donate2educate.com) that allows

teachers to request anything helpful for

their classrooms. For example, an

agriculture teacher might ask for greenhouse

supplies or supplemental textbooks. At the

same time, anyone can contribute money to

the website, 100 percent of which goes

directly to purchasing teachers’ needs.

Vaterhaus’s philanthropic spirit comes

naturally to her, partially as a result of her

own experiences with FFA. A former FFA

member from McMinnville, Ore., she grew up

with horses and won third in the state for her

FFA equine proficiency. Learn more about

Vaterhaus and her efforts.

Q How did your FFA experiences help mold

your work ethic and self-motivation?

A FFA is an encouraging and safe place

to explore new skills and experiences.

I remember how I would look forward to

trying new challenges, usually not knowing

much about it before trying. FFA helped me

realize that I need to continue learning and

growing throughout my life.

Q What FFA experiences helped you learn

how to set goals?

A Previous to FFA, I had no concept of

goal setting and opportunity costs.

From day one, our FFA advisor began

discussing goal setting for our projects. With

his messages about goals, I discovered that I

am able and responsible to choose my own

paths and directions.

Q This time of year, a lot of FFA members

are creating goals for themselves.

What advice do you have for them?

A I once heard on the radio that a man

was going to eat a car. I thought, “No

way!” They explained that he was going

to grind the car into dust, then eat it by the

spoonful. So I thought, “That could work.”

Grind your big goals down to a lot of bite-

size goals. When something seems too big or

overwhelming, I remind myself about “eating

a car,” and it helps me keep perspective.

VaterhausDarleen

Former OregOn FFA member owns a small farm, runs a successful website

Tell other FFA members about your goals and aspirations in our Discussions thread about setting goals.

Darleen Vaterhaus raises horses and runs a social donation website.


FFA Back Talk Former members reflect

october 2009, ffa new horizons

Documents

elizabethtown ffa

ffa facesconnect

ffa chapter

ffa becausei

ffa experiences

national ffa conventionmake

coverillinois ffa members

ffa conventionrelated