February 2009, FFA New Horizons

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NEW HORIZONS THE MAGAZI NE OF THE N ATIONAL FFA ORGA NIZATION | February 2 009

Swimming in Aquaculture Texan gets her feet wet in new agricultural field

More About Moya New FFA president always wanted blue corduroy jacket

Uifz!Eftfswf! b!Iboe Members stand out at 81st National FFA Convention

What a week! Post your National FFA Week news at…

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Visit the convention page at…

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Convention Coverage Visit ffanewhorizons.org and click on the ¼ Convention Page to see photos, read blogs and more from the 81st National FFA Convention.

“THE RUGBY FFA CHAPTER WON THE NORTH DAKOTA STATE PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE CONTEST IN OCTOBER. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THEY HAVE WON SINCE 2000!”

– Zachary Rameden, Rugby, N.D.

Go online to submit your FFA experiences.

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Barn dances

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Polls change regularly, so visit often!

State Scoop Read special inserts from other associations in ¼ State Scoop.

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FFA

FEBRUARY 2009

Volume 57 Number 3

Contents

NEW HORIZONS

ÂŽ

The magazine of the National FFA Organization

JULIE WOODARD KIM NEWSOM JOYCE CARUTHERS JESSY YANCEY KELLIANN BLAZEK, ANDREA BLOOM, REBECCA DENTON, KEVIN LITWIN, JESSICA MOZO, RYAN VADEN KEITH HARRIS BRIAN McCORD JEFF ADKINS, TODD BENNETT, ANTONY BOSHIER, IAN CURCIO, J. KYLE KEENER NATASHA LORENS CHRISTINA CARDEN MELISSA HOOVER, KATIE MIDDENDORF, JILL WYATT LAURA GALLAGHER, CANDICE SWEET, VIKKI WILLIAMS AMY NELSON, MARCUS SNYDER MARCIA BANASIK, SARAH MILLER, PATRICIA MOISAN, RAVEN PETTY GARY SMITH BRIAN SMITH ANDY HARTLEY, YAMEL RUIZ FRANCO SCARAMUZZA RYAN DUNLAP, CARL SCHULZ JENNIFER GRAVES TWILA ALLEN KRISTY MEYER, AMBER STRIEGEL RAY LANGEN CARLA H. THURMAN CASEY E. HESTER MARK FORESTER TEREE CARUTHERS JEFFREY S. OTTO BETH MURPHY

Editorial Director Managing Editor Copy Editor Assistant Editor Contributing Writers Creative Director Senior Photographer Staff Photographers Production Director Associate Production Director Production Project Managers Senior Graphic Designers Graphic Designers Ad Traffic

Distribution Director Web Development Director Web Project Managers Web Design Lead Web Designers Web Production Color Imaging Technician FFA Communications Executive Vice President Sr. V.P./Sales Sr. V.P./Operations V.P./Visual Content V.P./Editorial Director Photography Director Advertising Sales Manager, Custom Division JOHN LACEY Integrated Media Manager RACHAEL GOLDSBERRY Custom/Travel Sales Support RACHEL MATHEIS Sales/Marketing Coordinator

8 cover story 14

President Secretary Eastern Region Vice President Central Region Vice President Southern Region Vice President Western Region Vice President

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FFA Faces

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Scrapbook

National FFA Staff LARRY CASE National Advisor, Chief Executive Officer STEVE BROWN Executive Secretary DOUG LOUDENSLAGER Chief Operating Officer MARION FLETCHER National Treasurer JULIE ADAMS, MARK CAVELL, Division Directors DALE CRABTREE, TOM KAPOSTASY, 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 ROBERT B. CALVIN Agriculture Teacher/USDE, MO WILBUR CHANCELLOR State Supervisor, MS THOMAS DORMODY Teacher Educator/USDE, NM DENNIS FISCUS State Supervisor, AZ IKE KERSHAW State Supervisor, OH BRUCE LAZARUS FFA Executive Secretary/USDE, AR JOEL LARSEN State Supervisor, MN 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 newhorizons@ffa.org. Periodical postage rate is paid at Indianapolis, Ind., and additional mail offices.

CopyrightŠ 2009 by the National FFA Organization and 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.

Swimming in Aquaculture

Meet members from across the country.

Read news, jokes and more.

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National Officer Q & A

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Healthy Lifestyles

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What’s Hot

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What’s On

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Back Talk

Postmaster: Please send address changes to FFA New Horizons, P.O. Box 68960, Indianapolis, IN 46268-0960.

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More than 50,000 members stand out at the 81st National FFA Convention.

Learn about this new career field.

For advertising information, contact John Lacey, (800) 333-8842, ext. 281, or e-mail jlacey@jnlcom.com.

2008-09 National FFA Officers PAUL MOYA, NM NESSIE EARLY, CA HANNAH CROSSEN, OH LAILA HAJJI, OK REGINA HOLLIDAY, GA RILEY BRANCH, TX

They Deserve a Hand

Meet President Paul Moya.

Learn to balance your responsibilities.

Read how FFA members are going green.

Watch “FFA Today� every week.

Sail with Navy officer Justin Floyd.

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On the Cover National FFA Chorus performs at 81st National FFA Convention. Photo By J. Kyle Keener

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FFA Faces

Members in action

Picture Yourself on This Page You, too, can be featured in FFA Faces. Nominate yourself or a fellow FFA member by sending us the following details about the nominee: name, grade, address, FFA and academic achievements, and extracurricular activities.

Submissions must include a high-quality color photo. Those featured will be awarded a great FFA prize.

Send to: FFA Faces FFA New Horizons P.O. Box 68960, Indianapolis, IN 46268 Or e-mail to newhorizons@ffa.org

DE Samantha Bantom Chapter: Smyrna FFA

This high school freshman joined FFA to gain the same leadership skills her dad and brothers developed as FFA members. Samantha earned her Discovery FFA Degree and is currently working toward her Greenhand FFA Degree. She served as her chapter’s junior advisor and treasurer and also competed on the state level in the FFA Creed Speaking CDE.

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TX

Annakate Waters

Jacob Luna

Chapter: Anderson FFA

Chapter: Hardin-Jefferson FFA

Annakate, a high school senior, has been an FFA member for the past six years. She has participated in the extemporaneous public speaking and floriculture career development events (CDEs), served as the chairperson for the South Carolina State FFA Officer Nominating Committee, and was elected president of her chapter.

Annakate hopes to become an FFA advisor one day.

Jacob, a high school senior, has developed an impressive SAE in livestock production through ownership of a steer, heifer and pigs that he exhibits at local and state shows. He also competes in many CDEs, including livestock evaluation and rice judging. He plans to attend Texas A&M University to major in wildlife recreation management or agribusiness.

AZ

NC

Lauren Walker

Stephanie Powell

Chapter: Chino Valley FFA

Chapter: Marvin-Ridge FFA

This high school senior uses FFA to develop her leadership and public speaking skills. Lauren participated in the prepared public speaking and job interview CDEs and served as vice president of her chapter. As part of her supervised agricultural experience program (SAE), Lauren assists her instructors with teaching lessons and coordinating classroom activities.

A high school junior, Stephanie is an active leader of her local chapter. She was a member of the parliamentary procedure team, served as chapter vice president and earned her Chapter FFA Degree. She plans to attend a university to major in agricultural education and hopes to return to her home area to guide an FFA chapter of her own.

TN

OK

Robert Joyce

Josh Conaway

Chapter: Gibson County FFA

Chapter: Ringwood FFA

A high school junior, Robert develops his career skills through the horse evaluation CDE and his equine science SAE, in which he breaks and trains horses for his clients. He was selected as his chapter’s Star Greenhand, earned his Chapter FFA Degree, and served as chapter secretary and reporter. Robert also participates in steer wrestling in high school rodeo competitions.

As a high school sophomore, Josh has developed a successful business through his turf grass management SAE, taking top honors in the state proficiency award area. He also participated in the FFA Creed Speaking CDE, was a member of the National FFA Band and currently serves as his chapter’s chaplain. Josh plans to expand his lawn care company after college.

– Andrea Bloom

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FFA scrapbook

Express yourself

54,731

The 81st National FFA Convention welcomed a record-breaking 54,731 attendees to Indianapolis.

23,000

More than 23,000 people rocked out to Taylor Swift and James Otto during the national FFA convention concert.

$198,978 The National FFA Alumni Association raised $198,978 in scholarship funds during its silent, live and online auctions during the convention.

Fair Well FFA is well-represented each year at the California State Fair, thanks to the Marysville chapter. During the past 12 years, Marysville FFA has brought home multiple ribbons for its Yuba County displays in the fair’s “California’s Counties” competition. As the only youth organization solely responsible for one of the 58 county displays, Marysville FFA educates fair attendees about Yuba County’s agriculture.

Just Joking What kind of horses like to be ridden at night?

Nightmares.

Kelli Shenold, Ripley, Okla.

Why does a rooster watch TV? For hentertainment.

Matthew Schwamberger, Franklin, Ind.

Marysville FFA advisor Bonnie Magill says, “It’s important for the public to

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learn about FFA as well as our county’s agriculture, so I always have my students take charge.”

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Have a good one? Submit your favorite jokes at ffanewhorizons.org.

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FYI YOUR 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.

The FFA horse judging team from Lafourche Parish, La., recently traveled to Fort Worth, Texas, for the World Paint Horse Judging Contest. The junior team (pictured) placed first, and the senior team placed fourth. One week later, both teams placed first in their state contests. Congratulations!

A Garden To Remember This past summer, FFA members of St. Henry, Ohio, paid tribute to a fellow chapter member by creating a memorial flower garden in his name.

The honored member, Brandon Huelskamp, passed away in late 2007.

Eight FFA members joined their advisor for the initial construction of the garden, which was designed by chapter officer Dillan Schulze, in St. Henry’s walking park.

Community members also contributed to the project by donating supplies for the garden. Today, park visitors are reminded of the unity that their dear friend inspired.

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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 ¼ Tell Us. Or, send to: FFA New Horizons P.O. Box 68960 Indianapolis, IN 46268 newhorizons@ffa.org

Expo in Idaho For three days last fall, FFA members in Meridian, Idaho, became educators at the fourth annual Meridian Ag Expo. Each day, hundreds of elementary students came to learn about their state’s agriculture.

Chapter members guided tours and explained exhibits for the youngsters and general public. Exhibit subjects included livestock, wildlife and natural resources in Idaho.

The machinery and historical tools used in the state’s agricultural sectors were also on display.

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Breaking

Story by Kelliann Blazek

Records More members ‘stand out’ than ever before at the 81st National FFA Convention

I

t’s official! More people attended the 81st National FFA Convention than ever before, with a record-setting attendance of 54,731 FFA members and guests.

In its third year in Indianapolis, the national FFA convention once again brought together blue jackets from across the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands for the nation’s largest student gathering.

With inspirational keynote speeches, leadership-building workshops, competitive awards contests, and community service projects – there was something for everyone at this year’s convention.

The week started off on the right foot, as the National FFA Band and Chorus led the FFA Grand March down FFA Way to the beat of “Hey FFA!” But the music didn’t stop there. The start of the opening session revealed the 2008 national convention theme song, an ’80s-style rock song highlighting the convention theme, “Step Up. Stand Out.” A new and improved laser show pumped up the convention arena before each session, brought back

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to the event partly by student-led lobbying efforts throughout the past year.

Hollywood stuntwoman and Olympic gold medalist Dana Hee gave the keynote address during the first session, encouraging FFA members to face their fears.

“From life to the Olympics to Hollywood, I’ve found it is so easy

to step up in life if you just take that one step of courage,” Hee said.

Hundreds of FFA members took a step in the right direction by dedicating their time in Indy to helping others during the 2008 National FFA Days of Service.

After the overwhelming amount of student involvement last year, another day and new sites were

On Saturday, the new national officers were named, including, from left, Paul Moya, Nessie Early, laila hajji, Hannah crossen, Riley branch and Regina holliday.

LEFT: The Streets of indianapolis, especially the one renamed “FFA WAy,” were filled with FFA members traveling to various convention events. PHOTO BY J. KYLE KEENER

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added to the schedule. Students spent their days volunteering with local organizations like Gleaners Food Bank, Indy Parks and Habitat for Humanity, just to name a few.

Back at the Indianapolis Convention Center, the 42nd annual FFA National Agricultural Career Show was crammed with students in search of giveaways, college advice and future job opportunities.

Located next to the FFA Shopping Mall, the career show boasted more than 400 booths representing agricultural

universities, companies and automobile manufacturers.

To expand their career learning, many members participated in educational tours, which included visits to places like Conner Prairie, the Indianapolis Zoo, Purdue University, Integrity Biofuels and the Exotic Feline Rescue Center.

Brand-new facilities in Indianapolis also improved the convention experience. For the first time, the American Degree ceremony was held at Lucas Oil Stadium (the new home of the Indianapolis Colts),

which opened two months before convention kicked off. Lucas Oil Stadium also housed the food court and the concert stage where the entertainment highlight of the week took place.

On Wednesday night, James Otto opened for country superstar Taylor Swift, who took the stage and performed for a crowd of 23,000 FFA members and guests. “My name is Taylor Swift, and I am a proud FFA member!� she exclaimed during the concert.

A former member of the

The FFA Shopping Mall gave members a place to shop for cowboy hats or browse through official FFA merchandise. PHOTO BY J. KYLE KEENER

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Hendersonville FFA Chapter in Tennessee, Swift encouraged students to “stand out” by working hard and following their dreams.

FFA members showed off their own musical talents in the FFA Talent Revue on Thursday. Nearly 20 acts ranging from an acoustic guitarist to a flaming baton twirler performed for an enthusiastic audience.

Even 2007-08 National FFA President Zach Kinne kept the FFA rhythm alive, as he fiddled on stage during his retiring address, titled “You-niquely Used.”

“We can’t be apprehensive about using our abilities to help others,” Kinne said. “The true meaning and extent of our talents, abilities, and gifts truly shine when we use them to serve.”

Members learned about ways to serve in the convention workshops, hosted by past national and state officers, conference presenters and industry professionals. Workshop attendees used hands-on methods to plan for college, improve their online skills, gain tips on sharing the agricultural message in their own communities and learn to lead.

The six newly elected national officers are now learning to lead as they serve the FFA membership.

After an intense selection process,

including five rounds of interviews and a written exam, the new national officers were announced from a pool of 38 candidates.

The 2008-09 National FFA Officers include President Paul Moya from New Mexico, Secretary Nessie Early from California, Eastern Region Vice President Hannah Crossen from Ohio, Central Region

Vice President Laila Hajji from Oklahoma, Southern Region Vice President Regina Holliday from Georgia, and Western Region Vice President Riley Branch from Texas.

Throughout the year, these leaders will encourage and inspire FFA members across the country to stand out in their chapters, schools and communities.

ffanewhorizons.org Click on the Convention Page for more from the 81st National FFA Convention and to learn how the convention will rotate between Louisville and Indianapolis, starting in 2013.

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FFA National Officer

Q&A

chills down my arms, and my stomach felt like I was on a roller coaster as I stood there waiting. It was one of the most exciting moments of my life, and I couldn’t wait to get on stage and hug my new teammates! I am so honored to serve this year as the national FFA president.

Q

Besides being elected to national office, what was a highlight of the

2008 National FFA Convention for you?

A

I simply love the start of each convention session – the lights, music, energy and of course the laser show!

The career show has also always been one of my favorite parts, and I enjoy meeting new friends from all over the country.

FYI PAUL’S FAVORITES When it’s cold outside, this New Mexico member likes to build a campfire and make s’mores. Learn “s’more” about Paul and his favorites.

FFA memory: Going to his first FFA camp Colors: Blue and yellow Fruit: Raspberries CDE: Prepared public speaking and FFA Creed Ice cream: Vanilla Board game: Pictionary

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Q Paul

Moya

National

FFA President

Meet your new national FFA president, Paul Moya! Paul was raised on a small family farm in central New Mexico, where they raise alfalfa. He comes from an FFA family; his older brother and sister were both members, his dad is an FFA advisor, and his mom attends most FFA events as a supporter.

Learn more from our interview with Paul.

Q

How did it feel to hear your name called out as the 2008-09 national

FFA president?

A

It felt like forever before they announced president, but it was absolutely a dream come true! I had

What have you learned about your teammates so far?

A

They are an amazing group of FFA members. They truly live to serve, and I know that this organization is much better because of my five teammates. They are simply amazing, and I can’t wait to see the incredible impact they will have on our organization this next year.

Q

What first inspired you to join FFA?

A

My father was an FFA advisor, and I went to my first New Mexico FFA State Convention at 8 months old. So I guess you could say FFA is in my blood. As a little boy, I couldn’t wait to start high school, join FFA and get my very own flashy blue corduroy jacket!

ffanewhorizons.org Click on our Convention page to meet Paul’s new teammates.

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Swimming in

Story by Jessica Mozo

Aqua

James Madison FFA member Angela Garcia found her interest in aquaculture by working in her school’s aquatic lab. STAFF PHOTO

culture Texan gets her feet

A

s a freshman at James Madison High School in San Antonio, Angela Garcia was an extremely shy, introverted teenager.

But all that changed when she became the head researcher in her school’s aquaculture lab, where she not only learned about fish and plants but also overcame her shyness by leading tours of the lab, training fellow students and teaching visiting elementary classes about aquaculture.

“I learned to be more responsible and how to manage my time,” recalls Garcia, now a sophomore animal science major at Texas A&M University.

“I’ve definitely become more confident and a better speaker.”

You may be wondering what in the world aquaculture even is. That’s not surprising, considering it’s a relatively new agricultural field.

Sometimes called “the agriculture of the oceans,” the field of aquaculture involves the production of aquatic plants and animals such as fish, shrimp, clams and kelp through artificial cultivation techniques.

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wet with one of agriculture’s newest fields Though it hasn’t been around as long as traditional agricultural fields, aquaculture is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the industry of agriculture. Already about 15 percent of the worldwide production of fish and seafood comes from aquaculture farms.

Angela got involved with her school’s aquaculture lab when her agriculture teacher, Joshua

Anderson, suggested she focus her science fair project on aquaculture.

“My high school received a grant, and they used it to purchase two fish tanks and a filtration system,” she says. “My science fair project was to test two filters to see which kept the water cleaner.”

With Anderson’s help, Angela started both a research- and workbased supervised agricultural

Managing fish populations, even the “pet” types, is a growing career.

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A Fishy Career If you’re intrigued by the underwater world of fish and plants and you have a knack for science, aquaculture might be the career field for you.

Jobs in aquaculture include everything from veterinarians and aquatic/marine biologists to fish nutritionists, feed manufacturers and fishery technicians.

“There are opportunities to work with your state’s fish and wildlife service,” says Joshua Anderson, agriculture teacher at James Madison High School in San Antonio. “They work with hatcheries in the production and spawning of local species. There are also jobs where you test water quality, and that is going to be important in the next 10 years.”

Some aquaculture jobs sound more like hobbies than jobs.

“There are fishing guides who need a knowledge of what fish eat, how to clean fish and more,” Anderson says. “A parent of one of my students is a fishing guide and makes incredible money. And he fishes for a living.”

Pursuing a career in aquaculture requires a combination of biological, technical, managerial and marketing skills. Not all colleges offer degrees in aquaculture, but several offer courses or an emphasis.

For more information on careers in aquaculture, visit the Aquaculture Network Information Center at www.aquanic.org.

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experience program that centered around her work at the aquaculture lab. She later competed in FFA aquaculture competitions at the state and national levels, winning four times at the state level and three times at nationals.

“Angela basically turned into an aquaculture guru,” Anderson jokes.

“She competed in all different areas and won. And she initially came to us with no agricultural background, not even knowing what FFA was.”

He adds, “When she started, she didn’t talk much, but she blossomed into a real leader and developed into a chapter and district FFA officer who represented FFA all over the place.”

Angela’s day-to-day tasks at her school’s aquaculture lab included performing water quality tests, installing heaters in the tanks, introducing different species of fish, and helping stock her high school agriculture program’s two ponds with tilapia and catfish.

“I knew I wanted to either be a marine biologist or a veterinarian,” Angela says. “In college, I’m pursuing the vet route, but when I go back home, I still like to assist in the aquaculture lab at my high school.”

Angela spent the summer of 2008 interning at a vet clinic, which she loved for the “hands-on opportunities.”

“When pets came in, the vet tech would bring them in the exam room,

and I would hold the animal while they took its temperature and weighed it,” she says. “I also got to walk the dogs that were boarding there.”

June of 2008 found Angela on a 10-day excursion in Costa Rica, thanks to FFA. “I won the trip for my proficiency in aquaculture production. I got to go to Costa Rica to see how agriculture works there,” she says. “It was awesome. We got to stay with host families, and I was able to use some Spanish-speaking skills.”

The Texas FFA member says she would one day like to serve as an example to other young Hispanics.

“I’d like other young people to know there are so many aspects of agriculture. It’s not just farming,” Angela says. “And being in FFA is a great experience because you learn so much, you can travel and it helps you earn scholarships for college.”

Because it’s a fairly new field, few high schools offer courses in aquaculture. Anderson encourages students to talk with their teachers about incorporating a few aquaculture courses into their agriculture programs.

“Schools should at least have an aquarium where students can learn about it,” he says. “This year, we had one student raise albino frogs as a project. There’s so much opportunity with aquaculture.”

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FFA healthy lifestyles

Balancing it all

Finding

Balance Overwhelmed? Get back

on track with these tips

F

FA members are go-getters by nature, but that desire to achieve can lead to an overbooked schedule and lots of stress.

Motivational speaker and writer Grant Baldwin has been there. He talks with teens and holds workshops all over the country to help young people get a handle on their busy lives.

Baldwin’s new book, Reality Check, answers 50 questions teens have about life after high school, including how to balance it all – school, relationships, friends, jobs and other activities – while fitting in some time to just enjoy life.

“Balance is a big deal,” he says.

“We all hear stories of people who work all their lives to have a heart attack and die at age 50. Who wants to do that? I want to be 90 or 100 and look back and say, ‘I really

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enjoyed life.’ What’s your other choice?”

Baldwin offers some practical tips to help find balance: DETERMINE WHAT MATTERS. It’s tough, but it’s often necessary to decide what matters most to you, and let some things go.

“Like a buffet, you may want to try everything,” Baldwin says. “But the reality is you can’t eat every single thing on the buffet. You have to pick the top few things you really want to try.”

CREATE BOUNDARIES. The most organized, timemanaged person still has limits.

“Like a full glass of water, a lot of us are literally at capacity, and people continue to ask us to do things,” Baldwin says. “We pretend we have no limits, but water is spilling everywhere.”

“The challenge with saying no is we’re all basically people pleasers,” he adds. “We don’t want to let people down.”

Bottom line: It doesn’t mean you’re rude or lazy if you have to turn people down when your schedule is full, Baldwin says. It just means your schedule is full.

WHO YOU ARE IS IMPORTANT. As a teenager, you are making huge life decisions about who you are as a person.

“If you work your whole life to attain status and titles and money, and you are a shell of a human being, is that worth it?” Baldwin asks. “Is that the kind of life you want to live? There are a lot of wealthy people who are miserable.”

Be true to your own interests, he says, instead of chasing money or status for the sake of impressing other people.

LEARN TO BALANCE. “The idea of staying in balance on a daily basis is somewhat of a myth,” Baldwin says. “It is a constant struggle to keep yourself in balance.

It doesn’t just happen. You have to be extremely proactive about finding balance and work at it every day.”

And, it’s perfectly OK to take a day off every once in a while just to do something that you enjoy, whether it’s riding a horse or watching reruns on the couch.

“In order to stay balanced, you have to find what energizes you,” he says. “Find those things that give you life, and don’t exclude them from your plans.”

Visit www.grantbaldwin.com for more information.

– Rebecca Denton

ffanation.ffa.org Log on to FFA Nation and visit the Discussions section to ask Baldwin your “life questions.”

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FFA What's hot

Cool stuff to know

Imagine Tomorrow Members from the Rosalia FFA Chapter in Washington recently received high honors in Washington State University’s alternateenergy competition, “Imagine Tomorrow,” in which the team entered a hydrogen-hybrid engine.

More than 80 projects were entered, and the Rosalia team placed second in the technology challenge. The team – consisting of Kristina Peterschick, Dan Lazcano, Trevor Shield, Chelsea Sims and John Kuhn – received $6,000 in prize money.

what’s hot in science

Take It Slow FFA members in San Diego County, Calif., are teaming up to save money and the planet. “Slow Down – Save Gas” is a promotion that started at Carlsbad High School and quickly gained support at nearby San Marcos High School. By displaying five fingers outside their vehicles’ windows, San Diego County students are encouraging other motorists to drive 55 mph on the highway.

Visit ffanewhorizons.org and click on In This Issue for more information about this project.

Partners for the Planet Looking for a way to incorporate community service into your National FFA Week plans? Even better, want to do something that helps save the planet?

Your chapter can join in a national campaign to help plant trees for our environment. Called the “3 By 3 campaign,” the effort hopes to get 3 million students to plant a total of 3 million trees. To learn more about the program and how to get involved, visit www.treemusketeers.org.

1

One trillion tons of greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced if each of us would change five normal light bulbs to five fluorescent ones.

E85

This term means that up to 85 percent of the fuel blend can be ethanol, with the remaining percentage as gasoline. Look for it on gas pumps.

Source: jointherideiowa.com

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Check out our website. you’ll find MORE photos, MORE stories, MORE quizzes and a lot MORE information.

And remember to check back often for FFA news updates!

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22

FFA

NEW HORIZONS

Have you seen the new “FFA Today� television show? If not, you should check it out because it’s revamped and all about you!

Each week you’ll get to see cool stories about members and different areas to explore in agriculture, as well as special highlights from the national FFA convention. Watch it on RFD-TV, Wednesdays at 6 p.m.

EST. You can also watch the entire show at ffatoday.ffa.org.

Hey advisors! Don’t forget that “FFA Today� is great for chapter discussions and projects.

The “FFA Today� show is sponsored by Monsanto.

Join FFA Nation It’s fun! It’s social! It’s the National FFA Organization’s very own online community, built just for those who wear the blue and gold!

Visit ffanation.ffa.org today to sign up for your very own profile.

You can add friends, join groups, start discussions in the forums section and schedule events.

This month, we’ll be focusing on National FFA Week activities. Visit the site to gather ideas from other chapters, then come back to upload photos from your celebration. You can even start a group for your FFA chapter to have a “virtual celebration.�

See you online!

FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG

News

Music

Web

Smile for the Camera

Planning Your Week

Without leaving their classroom, elementary students in Houston, Texas, are watching and learning about barnyard animals, thanks to the Internet.

Kingwood Park FFA is using a webcam to teach elementary students about livestock through an activity called “Meet the Animals.” This learning experience allows elementary students to ask questions about the animals as FFA members present them from their ag shop.

The project has been so successful that the chapter is considering a national webcast.

National FFA Week is almost here! Your advisor should have received the planning guide and DVD, and now it’s time for the members to take charge!

Check out ffaweek.ffa.org for lots of downloadable tools and resources, including ideas for chapter activities, posters, National FFA Week logos, news releases, public service announcements and more!

Plan the best FFA Week ever and then enter the FFA Week contest. The top chapter winners are featured on the “FFA Today” television show! You can find more information at ffa.org.

FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG

Harmonies for Heifer Stepping outside the land of agriculture, Tri-Valley FFA members in New York have teamed up with an elementary school teacher and her students for a charity project.

Music teacher Regina Hartman prompted her K-4 students to choose a cause and raise money for it by creating their own music. Her students chose to raise $5,000 for Heifer International, a hunger-fighting organization, and local FFA members helped plan, produce, sell and distribute the fundraiser CDs, with all the songs written and performed by the K-4 students.

FFA

NEW HORIZONS

23

FFA Back Talk

Former members Reflect

Justin

Floyd Former member uses agricultural mechanics skills in the

U.S. Navy

F

or former FFA member Justin Floyd of Cheraw, S.C., joining the U.S. Navy was a perfect career choice. A state FFA extemporaneous public speaking winner, Petty Officer Floyd is now using his FFA skills while operating and working on nuclear reactors at the Naval base in Goose Creek, S.C.

Q

Did your FFA experience prepare you for a military career?

A

Absolutely. I learned discipline and patience by growing plants and raising animals. Leadership classes were a big help, and the social skills you learn and develop in FFA are important to any career.

Also learning to respect and even iron my FFA Official Dress was good preparation!

Q

Do you find yourself using skills from FFA and agricultural education in your current role?

A

Agricultural mechanics has helped a ton. The knowledge you gain even in just using simple tools correctly and understanding flow of water in irrigation systems helps in understanding the main and auxiliary systems of a reactor. That would be the biggest skill that has helped me succeed in Nuclear Field “A” School.

Q

What would you say to another FFA member who is interested in joining the U.S. military?

A

Justin Floyd now works on nuclear reactors in the U.S. Navy.

24

FFA

NEW HORIZONS

I waited two years out of high school, so it affected my physical condition.

Training is really important! Work out at least four months before boot camp. It’s a wonderful career, especially when you think of how financially stable you can be, the benefits of the military and the honor of serving your country. Also, don’t sneeze or move during inspections; it will be a bad day. This I know from personal experience!

FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG