I have a concern about this announcement from the FFA. With more than 100,000 new farmers needed over the next few years, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack issued the young leaders of the National FFA Organization a challenge in 2011. “I would like you to with your fellow students and the adult leadership of the organization to develop a series …
GROWMARK Essay Contest Underway
Appropriately for the International Year of Cooperatives, the theme for the 2012 GROWMARK essay contest is “Cooperatives in a Global Environment.” This is the 19th year for the program, sponsored by the GROWMARK System and FS member cooperatives, in conjunction with state FFA leaders, to help young people develop their writing skills, learn about current issues impacting agriculture, and understand …
New Officers for National FFA
Congratulations to the newly elected National FFA officers for 2011-2012. Here they are closing out the 84th National FFA Convention. Ryan W. Best of New Mexico, Jason Troendle of Minnesota, Kenneth D. Quick Jr. of New York, Alicia Hodnik of Wisconsin, Cain Thurmond of Georgia and Seth Pratt of Idaho have been elected National FFA officers for 2011-12.
FFA Becomes Farm American Communications Partner
I Believe the National FFA Convention is in full swing. Watch it live via the Alltech Ag Network. Yesterday Farm American and Furniture Row Racing made a big announcement about a new relationship with FFA. Pictured are Farm American’s Pat Driscoll (left) and National FFA Organization COO Bill Fleet (right) along with FFA members. (Photo by DeLoss Jahnke/National FFA Organization). …
Alltech Ag Network To Live Stream FFA Convention
The FFA is taking advantage of the Alltech Ag Network to stream live from the convention in October. Here are (pictured left to right) Dwight Armstrong, CEO of the National FFA Organization, and Billy Frey, general manager of the Alltech Ag Network. In a significant technological move forward for agriculture, the National FFA Organization will stream its 2011 National Convention …
FFA Update At Farm Progress Show
I ran into DeLoss Jahnke, FFA Marketing/Communication Specialist (center), at the Farm Progress Show. I had not seen DeLoss since shortly after I left the Brownfield Network once upon a time. At that time he was our Indiana reporter. With him was Geoffrey Miller who works with him in communications at FFA. The guys were out at the show to …
National FFA Advisor Named
The U.S. Department of Education has selected Dr. Steve A. Brown as national advisor of the National FFA Organization and chairman of the national FFA board of directors. Brown is now responsible for providing catalytic leadership for FFA and will serve as chairman of the board. He’ll also advise national FFA officers, delegates and committees on policy matters and serve …
Central Illinois Company Gives Back to FFA
We’ve all heard of Red Brand fence, right? They’re a milestone sponsor of the FFA (in fact they’ve been doing so for over 60 years). Did you know that Red Brand fence is manufactured in Peoria, Ill.? Keystone Steel and Wire Co began the Home Grown program in 2010. It gave opportunity for local Red Brand retailers to give back to local FFA …
FFA Names 50 New Century Farmers for 2011
The National FFA is preparing 50 young people from 23 states this year to take on the challenge of new century farming. The FFA’s 2011 New Century Farmer program is designed to help young men and women who are pursuing a career in production agriculture. The participants will take part in an intensive seminar July 24-30 in Johnston, Iowa where …
FFA Leaders Join Novus Science Day
Two National FFA officers and a regional director for the National FFA Foundation were among those who participated in the third annual “Science in Action: A Foundation for Dynamic Careers” Day sponsored by Novus International. Christopher Bell with the FFA Foundation said it was a good opportunity for the officers to visit an agricultural company that is making a difference …