1 The Corduroy Connection

Spring 2020

As we close the chapter of 2019, and begin 2020, I

would like to reflect on our achievements and

accomplishments of not only the last year, but the

last decade. The agriculture industry has seen vast

changes in policy and technologies in the last 10

years, as it is ever-growing and ever-changing.

Through all of these challenges and changes, the

Idaho FFA Association and Foundation have met

them head on, creating solutions and adapting.

New programs have been established, new ideas

implemented, new curriculum taught, and new

events created all to meet the needs and demands

of our ever-changing world. All of these changes

have been for the same purpose: to provide the

next generation of agriculturists and leaders with

the resources and tools necessary to be successful.

Each student, no matter where they are from, what

contests they compete in, what their background is,

or what their SAE project is, has the potential to

make an ever lasting

impact on their

communities, the

country, and even the

world. Within the folds of

this newsletter, you will

see the impact our

students, our teachers and

our sponsors have at the

local, state, national and

even international levels.

As we begin a new year and a new decade, I implore you to give to the Idaho FFA Association and Foundation. The work we do is changing and improving the lives of thousands of Idaho students. I am proud to be a part of an organization that adapts to change and provides our next generation of leaders with the resources they need to grow, lead, and succeed.

Spring

2020

The Corduroy Connection

In this edition:

Message from the Board Chair…………...1

Sponsor Spotlight……………………………..2

ILSSO………...………………………………….3&5

EMERGE Education Fund…………….....4

Scholarship Winners Announced.……..6

Fall Career Success Tours……….…………7

Idaho Gives the Gift of Blue..…………….8

Valley Wide Partnership…………………..10

Idaho FFA Gives Back……………………...10

Message from Stephen Parrott, Board Chair

2 The Corduroy Connection

Spring 2020

Founded in 1947 in Phoenix, Arizona, Stotz

Equipment is no stranger to the agriculture

industry. While times have changes and new

technologies have emerged, the founding values

still remain the same: Quality, Integrity, Loyalty,

Caring, and Community. Today, Stotz Equipment

operates out of 25 locations in 8 western states. At

every location in each state, these values are

reflected in all of their actions and employees.

Stotz Equipment has been a partner with the Idaho

FFA Foundation since 2018 where they have

participated in a variety of programs at both the

state and local levels. These programs include

everything from State Leadership Conference

sponsorship, to judging the Foundation College

Scholarship applications, to purchasing FFA

animal projects at county fairs, to starting a

welding challenge to help students hone their

skills, and more.

“We choose to give because the kids we are helping

are going to be our future employees and

customers, and their parents are those currently,”

said Opie Kelley, Ag Field Sales Representative,

“This is our way to help those communities.”

For Stotz, Community is more than just a founding

value, it is a foundation they stand upon. Their

dedication to the communities they are located in

is second to none. Stotz believes that investing in

programs such as the FFA, is an investment in

their community, and this is reflected in their

actions and those of their employees.

“If we invest in our kids, it keeps them engaged

and it makes stronger, better people,” said Kelley,

“Not only are you investing in the kids’ future, but

you are also investing in your companies future

and Idaho’s future.”

In 2018, Kelley created the Welding Challenge at

the Twin Falls County Fair to offer further

opportunities for students and connect local

businesses with local members interested in

agriculture mechanics. In this event, students enter

projects that are judged on their craftsmanship and

quality of work, and receive prizes such as welders,

torches, and tool kits for their hard work. In the

first year, they received 10 projects, and this year

are hoping for 30-50.

When asked what the most rewarding part is of

being involved with FFA, Kelley said, “seeing the

joy in their faces when you help them and watching

them grow and achieve more and more.”

Thank you, Stotz, for your dedication towards the Idaho FFA and the next generation of agriculturists and leaders!

Sponsor Spotlight: Stotz Equipment

Stotz Equipment proudly displays pictures of animals

they purchase each year at fairs in their office

Entries from the 2019 Welding Challenge at the

Twin Falls County Fair

3 The Corduroy Connection

Spring 2020

International Leadership Seminar for State Officers

3

Each year, the National FFA Organization takes a group of select state officers to an international

destination to learn about and experience its culture, heritage and agricultural industries. This year, all

six Idaho FFA State Officers were selected and attended this event. At the beginning of January, they

ventured to Spain and Portugal for 10 days of various city tours and international cultural experiences,

and agricultural industry tours.

Day four started with

a tour to Trops, a

company that

produces mangoes

and avocados. After a

long drive through

the coastal moun-

tains, the next stop

was at a greenhouse

company. The team

enjoyed visiting with

the owner, Lola, who

explained why she

doesn’t use pesticides on her tomato and pepper

plants; instead she uses biocontrol methods such

as helpful insects, plants, and pheromones.

Day 4

Day 1

The first day was full of introductions: to the city

of Madrid, to tour guides, to a change of culture,

and to new food. The officers were able to walk

through Spain’s capital, see the royal palace, tour

the Prado Museum – the nation’s art museum,

and get accustomed to some Spanish traditions.

Day 2

On the morning of day two, the group met with

Jennifer Clever, an Agricultural Attaché from

the US embassy, and listened as she spoke about

foreign markets and the European Union

agricultural regulations that make it difficult for

Spanish farmers to implement new technologies

into their companies. They then walked through

Toledo and learned about the historical

importance of the city. Day 3

The next day was very exciting as it was the first

day of agriculture tours. The first stop was to a

Charolais and Limousin cattle feedlot whose

main focus was to keep their livestock as

stress-free and naturally grown as possible; they

do not use antibiotics and cattle are not

castrated. Later, they toured a John Deere

training center.

Continued on page 5

4 The Corduroy Connection

Spring 2020

EMERGE Education Fund

Supporting Idaho agricultural education and FFA advisors is a priority of the Idaho FFA Foundation.

FFA advisors are at the heart of our organization. Recruitment and retention of agricultural educators is

vital to the success of the Idaho FFA, so finding new ways to support and engage teachers is a high

priority. Through a grant received from Wells Fargo, the Idaho FFA Foundation created the EMERGE

Education Fund to do just that. The EMERGE Education project supports Idaho FFA members and

chapters by providing the funding need for enhancing leadership development, increasing the impact in

their local communities, and providing more experiential learning opportunities. Teachers could apply

for EMERGE funds to enhance their classrooms and hands-on instructional labs by updating lab

equipment, integrating new instrumental technology, enhancing curriculum, and investing in

professional development.

Wells Fargo gave $20,000 which funded 19 teachers for initiatives varying from curriculum training, to

equipment, and everything in between. Here are the following grant recipients and the projects they

will fund:

“Grants like these allow us to free up other monies for our bigger expenses and still keep our students

using updated and safe equipment. We are so thankful for community partners that come along side

local ag teachers and aid us in providing our students with the very best supplies that not only keep

them safe but help them learn,” said Tami Frank, Nampa FFA agriculture educator, “Knowing there

are generous people in our community that are willing to reach out and give helps me realize that I

am not in this alone and that my kids are important to others. It is so much fun to give them new tools

to use, introduce them to new possibilities and show them that they matter to

others outside of our walls.”

Thank you, Wells Fargo for your support and generosity towards supporting Idaho agricultural education and FFA advisors!

Bonners Ferry CASE Ag Sci - Plant

consumable supplies

Grangeville Grangeville FFA

Leadership Development Retreat

Moscow Professional

Development Region 1 Conference

Nezperce Rogue fabrication thin wall attachment and

pressure dies

Jerome Hydroponic STEAM

Challenge

Parma Curriculum for Ag Science Education

Nampa Ag Shop Equipment

(Grinders & hand saws)

Nampa Potting Shed

Mackay World Agriculture

Conservatory

Camas County CASE AFNR Tools/

Equipment

Vallivue Sharper TEK Ultrasonic Cleaner for Engine parts

Jerome Microscope with Camera

plus 4 additional microscopes

Filer Advisor Travel funds for

FFA events

American Falls Willow Bay Exercise

Stations Project

Burley Aquaculture Program

Raft River Curriculum for Ag Science Education

Hagerman Canon camera for Academy of Agriculture and Food Science

program

Middleton Landscape design and small en-gine class equipment (Blower,

Trimmer, chainsaw

Cambridge Textbooks: Principles of Floral Design and Principles of Food

Science

The Idaho Officers are very grateful to their

generous sponsors and supporters who made this

amazing experience possible and hope to continue

to be advocates not only for Idaho agriculture , but

global agriculture as a whole. Thank you!

3 The Corduroy Connection

Spring 2020

International Leadership Seminar for State Officers

5

Companhia das Lezrias, the State Farm of

Portugal, produces a wide variety of

commodities including; wine, cork, olives,

Lusitano horses, cattle, and forestry products.

The team visited each of these sectors, and per-

haps the most interesting was the cork produc-

tion. Cork is a product that grows on a special

variety of oak tree as an adaptation to fire and is

harvested off every nine years and turned into

numerous products, with the most important

being wine stoppers. While wine stoppers only

account for one third of products made from

cork, 70 percent of the profit comes from them.

Day 9

Day 6

The last day in Spain was spent visiting an

Andalusian horse breeding and training facility

where they learned about the history of the

company, dressage horse shows, embryo

transfers, and watched as some of the horses

were being trained. Afterwards, the group met

with ASAJA (a young Spanish farmer’s

association that represents 300,000 farmers)

and learned some of the challenges those

farmers face. State President, Herman Roberts,

spoke to the ASAJA members about the

generational renewal issue American farmers

are currently facing.

Day 7 & 8

The first two days in Portugal were spent

walking through two very popular tourist cities,

Albufeira and Evora. The team enjoyed talking

to locals, trying out the food, and soaking in

some sunshine. They also toured a vineyard/

winery and learned about the grape varieties that

go into popular Iberian Peninsula wines.

Day 5

Spain is the top

producer of olive oil,

so it was fitting that

one industry visit

was to an olive oil

cooperation. The

officers were able to

learn about the

process of making

olive oil as well as all

the different

varieties of olives

grown in the

Mediterranean area before going on a tour of the

city Seville. The evening ended with a Flamenco

performance which is traditional Spanish

dancing.

Day 10

The last day in Portugal started with a meeting

with George Glass, Ambassador for the United

States in Portugal. After the meeting, officers got

to visit classes of a local agricultural college, tour

their campus, and interact with Portuguese

students. The final activity was a city tour of

Portugal’s capital, Lisbon.

6 The Corduroy Connection

Spring 2020

Idaho FFA Foundation Awards $51,500 in Scholarships!

Through support from generous donors the Idaho FFA Foundation has awarded

$41,000 in college scholarships and $10,500 in Washington Leadership

Conference Scholarships. A total of 37 students from 20 different chapters

across the state received scholarships.

$1,000 Tractor Raffle Scholarships

Jonathan Muniz, Meridian

Madi Eberhard, Meridian

Wyatt Skovgard, Kuna

Jaycee Johnson, Troy

Brenna Dunworth, Troy

Kendra Murray, Genesee

Taylor Osburn, Highland-Craigmont

Morgan Wood, Cambridge

Adyson Harris, Parma

Abigail Winkle, Middleton

Mason Horner, Vallivue

Aubrey Reese, Ridgevue

Karson King, Filer

Samantha Stokesberry, Twin Falls

Autumn McCreary, Jerome

Quincey Kirkpatrick, Salmon

McKenna Hunn, Preston

Sarah Bateman, Declo

$2,000 J.A. Wedum Scholarships

Emily Blattner, Kuna

Joe Shaw, Parma

Lauren DeVries, Cambridge

$2,000 Tractor Raffle Agricultural

Education Scholarships

Ellie Tesnohlidek, Fruitland

Sydney Atkinson, Parma

$1,000 Tami Earll Daniel

Memorial Scholarship

Kyleigh Davis, Meridian

$1,000 Betaseed Scholarships:

Annalise DeVries, Cambridge

Henry Trujillo, Meridian

$2,000 Dairy West Scholarships

Emma Sells, Meridian

Kaitlin Mirkin, Jerome

Nathan Statsny, Kimberly

Katlyn Scarrow, Kimberly

Cole Searle, North Fremont

Congratulations to all!

2020 Friends of Idaho FFA Washington

Leadership Conference Scholarships:

Vivian Dugan, Jerome

Madison Tesnohlidek, Fruitland

Dwaine Tesnohlidek Washington

Leadership Conference Scholarships:

Darcy Godfrey, Rigby

Katie Russell, Cambridge

Sara Braasch Schmidt Washington

Leadership Conference Scholarships:

Tiernan Almich, Kuna

Owen Crowley, Genesee

Premier leadership, personal growth, and career success are words every FFA member knows and

works toward. A part of the FFA Mission, these six words embody the experience every FFA member

should have through agricultural education, and what they will take away from their involvement.

To aid in this endeavor, each year the Idaho FFA

Foundation and Association host the annual Fall Career

Success Tours. In November, students from across the

state participate in tours from various companies and

organizations in their local area. All regions of Idaho are

covered, and available for students to participate

regardless of where they are located. Two tracks are

available for students; an Ag Mech Track and an Ag

Science track, to cater more towards their career

interests and expose them to opportunities available.

Thank you Northwest Farm Credit Services!

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Spring 2020

Fall Career Success Tours

Northwest Farm Credit Services is dedicated

and committed to serving the Idaho FFA. As

a proud partner, they sponsor a variety of

events including: State Leadership

Conference, the Farm Business

Management Career Development Event,

and are the presenting sponsor at the

annual Twin Falls fundraiser. In January,

they presented the Idaho FFA Foundation

with an additional $5,000 to use for

general programming. Thank you Northwest

Farm Credit Services to your continuous

support and commitment towards growing

the next generation of leaders!

Companies

207 Total Students

43

66

41 57 N

um

be

r o

f s

tud

en

ts p

er

re

gio

n

26

4 Days

96 Total Ag

Mech

Track

111 Total Ag

Science

Track

Marcia Jedry, Executive Director, with employees of the Twin Falls

NWFCS branch

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Spring 2020

Idaho Gives the Gift of Blue

Each year, thousands of Idaho FFA members zip up their blue

corduroy jackets. In these jackets, they learn the Creed, judge

livestock, travel thousands of miles for contests and leadership

conferences, make lifelong connections, forge the path for their future,

make an impact on their community, and so much more. While

members come from all backgrounds, locations, and lifestyles, when

they zip up their jackets, they are instantly a part of something larger

than themselves. In these jackets, members represent the past,

present, and future generations of agriculture.

The blue corduroy has been an honored tradition in the FFA for over

85 years. Each made by hand, these jackets unify members not only

across the state of Idaho, but the country. This symbolic blue corduroy

jacket is far more than just a piece of Official Dress, it is an icon of American tradition– instilling pride

and responsibility in our next generation of leaders. However, not everyone can wear the jacket. Not

because they don’t deserve to, but because they can’t afford to.

Due to this, the Idaho FFA Foundation created the Idaho Give the Gift of Blue program. Through funds

raised at the 2nd Annual Friends of Idaho FFA Banquet North during the paddle up and gifts from

additional donors, the Idaho FFA Foundation gifted 47 jackets this year to students who couldn’t

afford one otherwise. Beginning in the fall, advisors and alumni members nominated students to

receive a jacket and in January they were distributed across the state to their new owners- many of

them not knowing they were about to receive the gift of blue.

Thanks to the support of our generous donors, the Idaho FFA Foundation was able to fund an area of

need and make a difference in the lives of FFA members. Thank you to those donors who made this new

initiative possible and kick start a new program for students look forward to each year.

When you give the gift of blue, you are opening the door for a member to be a part of something larger

than themselves, forge their path, and leave their mark on history. Afterall, the blue corduroy jacket is

more than just a jacket, it is a ticket to a future unlike any other.

Thank you D.L. Evans Bank!

On February 18, 2020 D.L. Evans Bank

representatives met with the State Officer

team to learn about their FFA journey and

present a sponsorship. D.L. Evans has been

a proud sponsor of the Idaho FFA

Foundation for many years, and continues

to show their support and dedication.

Thank you, D.L. Evans Bank for your

continued support of our students and

programs!

9 The Corduroy Connection

Spring 2020

Valley Wide Cooperative Partners with Idaho FFA

Valley Wide Cooperative, with their grant partner Land O’Lakes, has donated $10,000 to

the Idaho FFA Foundation. This generous donation will be used to further the mission of

the Idaho FFA Foundation: to promote premier leadership, personal growth, and career

success of the Idaho FFA members and agricultural education students by providing

strategic financial resources for the Idaho FFA Association.

“We know the impact that agriculture has on our lives daily. We feel that it is mission

critical to educate and support the up and coming farmers anyway we can. With this

mission in mind, Valley Wide Cooperative and Land O’Lakes are honored to help fulfill

a grant for the Idaho FFA.”-Valley Wide Cooperative CEO, Dave Holtom

Thank you Valley Wide Cooperative for your support, we look forward to our

continued partnership in the future!

Idaho FFA Gives Back to Their Communities

During the 1st Annual Gem State Leadership Conference in Boise, Idaho, members

participated in a Day of Service event, creating tie blankets for those in need. Within an

hour, members created over 100 pounds of fleece tie blankets, which were later donated

to the Boise Rescue Mission. Participants also took materials back to their local chapters

to create more blankets and donate to those in need in their local communities. Thank

you to Norco for sponsoring this event and

granting our students the opportunity to make a

difference in their local communities!

10 The Corduroy Connection

Spring 2020

11 The Corduroy Connection

Spring 2020

12 The Corduroy Connection

Spring 2020

Editors’ Note:

Thank you for reading our latest edition of The Corduroy Connection! I am

proud to work for an organization that puts its students and teachers at the fore-

front of everything it does. We appreciate your support and look forward to

what we will accomplish in 2020!

Liz Wilder is the Communications Director for the Idaho FFA Foundation

Contact her at liz@idffafoundation.org with any questions.

The Idaho FFA Foundation is partnered with

Amazon so every time you shop, you can give back

to the FFA with no cost to you! For every purchase,

AmazonSmile donates back to the foundation,

helping further our mission and advance the Idaho

FFA.

Sign up today: smile.amazon.com/ch/82-0360159

Idaho FFA Foundation

P.O .Box 827

Star, ID 83669