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Thank you to National FFA Foundation for helping support the NAAE mission.
A message From our CEO
At NAAE, we are never content to rest on the laurels of our previous accomplishments. As a grass-roots organization made up of agricultural educators from across the United States, we are driven to continually find new and better ways to support current and future school based agricultural educators as well as agricultural education itself.
As you look through this year’s annual report, you’ll see fresh takes on programs that have been staples of NAAE. Our first short documentary highlighting the journey of student teachers has already reached entirely new audiences who may not have even heard of agricultural education before. Our new website makes it easier for members, supporters, and the curious to find the information and resources they need. The increased number of state-level programs made it possible to reach members who may not have been able to previously travel to national events. And our revamped recognition has helped award-winning programs showcase why they are essential to the health and prosperity of their communities at home.
The agricultural educator is at the heart of everything we do at NAAE, whether it’s celebrating their achievements, creating programs to help them increase career efficacy and satisfaction, or simply reaching out to let them know they matter. Each of our programs has a purpose, and that purpose is supporting agricultural education and agricultural educators.
2024 was a great year. Whether you are a sponsor, someone who held a leadership role, or a member, we could not have done it without you. Thank you for your support, and thank you for being part of this great profession.
Alissa Smith CEO, National Association of Agricultural Educators
Board of Directors & Regional Secretaries
2023-2024 Board of Directors
President — Eric Tilleman, MT
President-Elect — Bill Newsom, TN
Region I VP — Kyle Stapleton, ID
Region II VP — Cameron Dale, OK
Region III VP —Paul Aarsvold, MN
Region IV VP — Jeff Voris, MO
Region V VP — Nelson McCracken, GA
Region VI VP — Aaron Geiman, MD
Past President — Deanna Schnuck, MO
Chief Executive Officer — Alissa Smith
2023-2024 Regional Secretaries
Region I Secretary — Sharon Metzger, AZ
Region II Secretary — Lauren Emerson, LA
Region III Secretary — Desi Severance, ND
Region IV Secretary — John Hammond, KY
Region V Secretary — Ruby McCracken, GA
Region VI Secretary — Darla Romberger, PA
Total NAAE members in 2023-2024
NAAE membership increased for the third year in a row, with an increase of 1.63% from the 2022-2023 membership year.
Overall NAAE Membership
Largest State Association
Georgia Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association
Overall NAAE Membership
Largest Regional Membership
Region IV, Jeff Voris, Regional VP
NAAE Student Membership
Largest State Association
Wisconsin Association of Agricultural Educators
State Association & Regional Membership Awards 10% Increase in Membership
Largest Percentage Increase in NAAE
Membership - State Association
Virginia Association of Agricultural Educators
Largest Percentage Increase in NAAE
Membership - Region
Region III - Paul Aarsvold, Regional VP
2023 National Supply & Demand for Ag Teachers & Programs
Data Driven Information: The National Supply and Demand Study is executed by AAAE (American Association of Agricultural Educators). NAAE is a collaborative partner with the AAAE National Supply and Demand Study Team. The 2024 National Supply and Demand Data and Profiles will be available March 2025.
To learn more, scan the QR code below.
46 respondents reported state demand data; 99 institutions reported supply data.
Highest recorded amount of agriculture teachers with 14,756 positions and 9,212 agriculture programs.
474 new positions reported for 2023, an increase of 8% from the year prior and the highest recorded growth in the last 10 years.
The amount of graduate completers entering the classroom remains at a high rate of 78%, only a 1% decrease from 2022.
Total post-secondary agricultural education program enrollment is trending upward by 4.3 % following the COVID pandemic.
Retention continues at a stable rate of 94%. The national retention rate is calculated minus retirements and state to state movement of agricultural educators. Individual states may have lower retention rates based on these two factors.
Regional & State Profiles
Each spring, NAAE provides state-specific Supply and Demand Profiles to highlight the capacity of teacher preparation programs to meet the growing demand for agricultural educators. As agricultural education continues to expand, these profiles offer critical insights into program growth, the addition of more teacher positions, and teacher retention trends. This empowers grassroots efforts in teacher recruitment and retention nationwide.
These profiles are invaluable tools during legislative advocacy, allowing stakeholders to showcase the importance of agricultural education, and guiding states in addressing the evolving needs of agriculture teachers and students.
In addition to state-level data, NAAE develops regional profiles for both NAAE and AAAE regions. These overviews help regions and states evaluate the effectiveness of efforts to recruit, retain, and recognize highly qualified, diverse educators.
NAAE works collaboratively with the AAAE Supply and Demand team to ensure accurate, comprehensive reporting of state and regional data. Together, we use these profiles to show the limitless learning opportunities and boundless classrooms for the next generation of agricultural educators.
Member Experience Teacher Appreciation Week
During Teacher Appreciation Week, NAAE celebrated the invaluable contributions of agricultural educators by providing 100 teachers across the nation with specially curated Teacher Appreciation Week packs.
Recipients were nominated through a social media campaign that asked for names of teachers who go above and beyond in shaping the future of agricultural education.
NAAE is proud to support and celebrate our educators, reminding them of the critical role they play in cultivating the next generation of leaders.
The ACTE National Policy Seminar is an opportunity for members to learn the basics of influencing federal decision makers on legislation related to agricultural education.
At the 2024 NPS, NAAE hosted a special session with guest speaker Caleb Wright from Versant Strategies, a Capitol Hill lobbying firm. Wright talked about what the Farm Bill means to agricultural educators and other current policies with which educators should be familiar.
NAAE sponsored the registration for 32 educators from 21 states to attend NPS in 2024.
Policy Seminar
NAAE partners with ACTE to provide the Legislative Action Center, an online tool that connects agriculture teachers with their legislators and helps them communicate about important policies.
National #TeachAg Day
National #TeachAg Day is more than a celebration, it’s a movement to inspire the next generation of educators who will cultivate knowledge, leadership, and innovation in agriculture, creating limitless learning opportunities and boundless classrooms for all.
This year’s #TeachAg Day kits ensured that no matter where the celebration took place, the message of agricultural education’s transformative power was clear and compelling.
Each year, NAAE provides kits with everything our members need to celebrate this special day. This year we provided
100 kits
to high schools & postsecondary institutions across the United States.
These created a ripple effect of inspiration and connection for
186,968 students, administrators, community members and other stakeholders.
#TeachAg Lesson Plan-in-a-Box
199 #TeachAg Lesson Plan-in-a-Box kits were provided this year through #National Teach Ag Day celebration boxes and workshops at the NAAE and National FFA Conventions.
The Lesson Plan-in-a-Box offers engaging, ready-to-use content for educators to spotlight the impact of a career in agricultural education and encourage their students to consider careers in agricultural education.
Recruitment & Retention
NAAE Goes to the Movies
1,939 streams of It Starts in the Classroom as of December 31, 2024.
4,514 Downloads of resources
172 Special guests at NAAE premiere in Lexington, including FFA members who received a #TeachAg Interactive notebook and other materials to encourage them to become agriculture teachers.
It Starts in the Classroom is a 22-minute documentary following two pre-service agricultural education majors from their student teaching experiences into their early days as agricultural educators. The documentary premiered on September 19th, National #TeachAg Day, and was screened in schools, universities and theaters across the United States.
NAAE hosted a premiere in Lexington for special guests, including the
NAAE board of directors and nearby secondary and postsecondary agricultural education programs. NAAE also developed a suite of resources for teachers to use in conjunction with the documentary.
Special thanks to members Whitney Evans and Brandon Bixler for allowing NAAE to document their journeys. Also thanks to the CHS Foundation for making this project possible through their support of the National #TeachAg campaign.
After attendees watched the documentary at the Kentucky Theatre in Lexington, they were able to ask subjects about the career of agricultural education and what it was like to student teach or be a mentor to future agriculture teachers.
This page, clockwise from top left: Q&A session after the Lexington premiere; VIP premiere attendees; Documentary subject Whitney Evans greets one of her students from student teaching at the premiere; premiere attendees watch It Starts in the Classroom.
NAAE at National FFA Convention
For NAAE Members & Educators
1,001 agricultural educators visited the NAAE Educators Lounge, powered by the CHS Foundation. There they received wellness kits and were able to access a number of NAAE resources. Those educators brought 12,106 FFA members with them to the National FFA convention, but they serve over 159,786 students annually. Collectively these teachers represent more than 10,552 years of combined service to the profession.
179 agricultural educators participated in a NAAE Agriscience Learning Lab, sponsored by Corteva Agriscience, earning 224 hours of professional development.
22 Unlock Your Potential Lesson Plan-in-a-Box Kits and 38 My Local Cooperative Kits were distributed.
NAAE has been engaged in the National FFA Convention and Expo for more than 50 years.
At this year’s convention, NAAE offered opportunities for members and educators, high school students, and preservice teachers to connect with the profession and learn about our organization.
For High School Students and Pre-Service Teachers
2,052 students from 50 states and territories signed up for the NAAE National #TeachAg Campaign, which provides them with monthly messages about becoming an agricultural educator and resources to help them navigate their career journeys.
13 NAAE National #TeachAg Ambassadors, representing 12 institutions, collectively earned 702 hours of professional development.
345 students participated in a NAAE National #TeachAg Workshop to learn more about the profession.
A two-minute highlight video of the NAAE short documentary It Starts in the Classroom was played at the fifth general session, attended by 25,000 FFA members, advisors, and guests. The video highlighted the journey of Brandon Bixler and Whitney Evans, two agricultural education majors, as they completed their student teaching experiences and began their careers in agricultural education.
#TeachAg Ambassadors
In 2024, #TeachAg Ambassadors led 18 #TeachAg presentations in 10 different states.
These impacted...
• 1,058+ students
• 19 Ag Ed majors
• 128 college students (non-Ag Ed majors)
• 59 current ag teachers
• 73 stakeholders
During the 2024 year, we had 13 NAAE #TeachAg Ambassadors from 11 different institutions. During their year of service, this class of ambassadors collected a total of 2,013 NAAE #TeachAg Campaign sign ups.
In October, we had 13 new NAAE #TeachAg Ambassadors from 12 institutions who have already collected 2,111 NAAE #TeachAg Campaign sign ups.
“Being an NAAE #TeachAg Ambassador has truly opened a new and exciting door for me as an aspiring educator. As a #TeachAg Ambassador, I was able to attend the National FFA Convention along with 12 other student ambassadors from across the United States. At the National FFA Convention, I was able to help with numerous teacher workshops, staff the wellness lounge, as well as work the NAAE #TeachAg booth in the convention center. At the booth, I took the role of recruiting the next generation of ag teachers. As ambassador I will continue to have opportunities within the state hosting teach ag workshops! Overall, this experience has been a once in a lifetime opportunity that I would recommend to anyone!”
— Madi Douvier, Southwest Minnesota State University
2024 NAAE Convention
It was a record-setting year in San Antonio, with 1,016 registered attendees and guests, and the largest Future Agriscience Teacher Symposium to date.
Teachers Turn the Key
NAAE interns at registration
Meet the candidates
National Agriscience Teacher Ambassador Workshop
1016 registered attendees & guests
216 delegates
91 professional development workshops
2811.75 hours of professional development credits earned by attendees
42 individuals and programs recognized as award winners or with regional citations
202 individuals participated in cohort-based programs, earning 2,202 hours of professional development. This included a record 102 preservice teachers in the FAST program
36 partners participated in the Members and Partners Reception, which as attended by more than 600 members. $15,000 worth of door prizes were given to members at the event.
61 CTE administrators attended the NAAE Administration Track, representing 35 states
27 attendees participated in the inaugural NAAE Wise Owls Round table session
52 attendees attended the State Leaders Training Session, representing 22 states
$4051 raised for the Ag Ed Relief Fund
22 NAAE Sponsors and Partners made convention possible
Members and Partners Reception California Agriculture Teacher’s Association
2024 NAAE Award Winners
Ideas Unlimited
Region I Hannah Schneider, WA
Region II Jake Rutledge, KS
Region III Toni Rasmussen, NE
Region IV Annagrace Ligons, KY
Region V Leigh Strawbridge, GA
Region VI Mandy Curry, VA
Lifetime Achievement
Region I Elaine Lewis, WA
Region II Robert Terry, OK
Region III David Laatsch, WI
Region IV Duane Huge, IN
Region V Jim Satterfield, TN
Region VI Jacques & Cynthia Roszel, NJ
Outstanding Early Career Teacher
Region I Teague Teece, OR
Region II Tim Taylor, OK
Region III Rachel Moe, MN
Region IV Caseelynn Shimmin, IL
Region V Brett Morris Wasden, FL
Region VI Patricia Smith, NJ
Outstanding Middle/Secondary Agricultural Education Program
Region I Surprise Valley HS, CA
Region II Junction City HS, KS
Region III Muscatine Community School District, IL
Region IV Blue Ridge HS, IL
Region V Corinth Holders HS, NC
Region VI Cumberland Valley HS, PA
Outstanding Postsecondary Agricultural Education
Region I Montana State UniversityDept. of Ag & Tech Education, MT
Region III Fox Valley Tech College, WI
Region IV University of Illinois Ag Ed Program, IL
Region V University of Georgia Dept. of Ag Leadership, Education & Communication, GA
Outstanding Service Citation
Region I Western National Rangeland Education Association, ID
Region II John Stahley, CO
Region III Bradley Schloesser, MN
Region IV Heather Eberlin, MO
Region V Steven Gass, TN
Region VI Ronald Frederick, PA
Outstanding Agricultural Education Teacher
Region I Kristin Sheehan, CA
Region II Kimberly Clark, KS
Region III Sandra Dykes, WI
Region IV Trenton Taber, IL
Region V Ashley Rivers, GA
Region VI Matthew Nanny, VA
Teacher Mentor
Region I Jeff Papke, OR
Region II Laura Miller, KS
Region III Denise Reeser, MN
Region IV Nick Nordwald, MO
Region V Christopher Hicks, NC
Region VI Jessica Jones, VA
2024 Professional State Association Awards
Professional State Association Awards
Exemplary
Arizona Agriculture Teachers Association
Florida Association of Agricultural Educators
Georgia Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association
Illinois Association of Vocational Agriculture Teachers
Indiana Association of Agricultural Educators
Kansas Association of Agricultural Educators
Kentucky Association of Agricultural Educators
Mississippi Association of Agricultural Educators
Montana Association of Agricultural Educators
Nebraska Agriculture Educator’s Association
New York Association of Agricultural Educators
North Carolina Agriculture Teachers Association
Ohio Association of Agricultural Educators
Pennsylvania Association of Agricultural Educators
Tennessee Association of Agriculture Educators
Washington Association of Agricultural Educators
Visionary
Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas
Missouri Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association
New Jersey Association of Agricultural Educators
South Carolina Association of Agricultural Educators
Virginia Association of Agricultural Educators
Wisconsin Association of Agricultural Educators
Innovative
Alabama Association of Agricultural Educators
Iowa Association of Agricultural Educators
Idaho Agriculture Teachers Association
Oregon Agriculture Teacher’s Association
States of Distinction
Advocacy in Agricultural Education
Mississippi Association of Agricultural Educators
Member Experience
Illinois Association of Vocational Agriculture Teachers
Professional Development
Arizona Agriculture Teachers Association
Teacher Recruitment, Retention, & Recognition
Kentucky Association of Agricultural Educators
Cohort Programs Connecting teachers for a better career experience.
Teachers Turn the Key
38 teachers from 38 different states who impact around 7,174 students annually in their classrooms and FFA chapters.
XLR8
14 teachers from 12 different states who impact about 3794 students annually in their classrooms and FFA chapters.
National Agriscience Teacher
Ambassador Academy
15 teachers form 15 states who impact more than 2,028 students annually in their classrooms and FFA chapters.
FAST (Future Agriscience Teachers)
102 pre-service agricultural educators representing 16 different institutions participated in the NAAE Convention FAST Symposium.
Virtual Book Club
77 teachers from 31 different states who impact 10,994 students annually in their classrooms and FFA chapters.
Wise & Well
Programmatic touch points throughout the year to encourage teachers integrate wellbeing practices into their day-to-day.
Teachers Turn the Key
Sweet Sheep Genetics
FAST
FAST
“XLR8 offered me strategies to have a more fulfilling career and personal life. I was able to make connections with teachers in similar years/ situations that I can reach out to throughout the year who can relate to me. I feel like I have a new set of tools and a team to help me through the highs and lows of teaching.”
- Brooklyn Bush, Oregon
Ag Teacher Resiliency
Ag Teacher Resiliency
XLR8
FAST
How NAAE supports State Associations
NAAE plays a vital role in supporting state associations by facilitating high-quality professional development programs tailored to the unique needs of agricultural educators.
By collaborating with state leaders, NAAE ensures these programs address the specific challenges and opportunities educators face in their regions.
Through workshops, conferences, and online resources, NAAE provides tools and training that enhance teaching effectiveness, foster innovation, and promote career growth.
This partnership empowers state associations to equip members with skills and knowledge to advance agricultural education and inspire the next generation of leaders in the profession.
State Leader Training at
NAAE convention
52 attendees from 22 states
Early Career
Elements
30 teachers participated from two states, impacting more than 3,248 students
Teacher
Resiliency
Workshops
303 teachers participated, impacting more than 29,674 students
XLR8 State Institutes
47 teachers participated from 4 states, impacting more than 6,715 students
AgI2
214 teachers participated in nine state programs impacting over 18,308 students
“The NAAE National Agriscience Teacher Ambassador Academy program is by far the best professional development program I have participated in. The Academy provided me with inquiry-based learning strategies, ready-to-use labs, and a phenomenal cohort of Ag Teachers from across the country. I came back feeling empowered and excited to tackle a new school year with all the new tools in my tool belt. My views of teaching have changed for the better, and this opportunity gave me confidence to shift how I teach to bring more rigor and science into my agriculture classroom.”
— Heather Brown, Oregon
2024 NAAE Programs
NAAE programs are centered around our three pillars: advancement through professional development, advocacy to ensure the growth of agricultural education programs, and recruitment, retention, and recognition for agricultural educators.
NAAE Convention
By Choice Newsletter
Regional Leadership Monthly Newsletters
State Leaders Resource Center & Quarterly Newsletters
Global Teach Ag Partnerships
Teacher Recruitment & Retention Best Practices
NAAE Convention Internships
Upper Division Student Teacher Scholarship
XLR8 2.0 Program
NAAE Facilitator Program
National Agriscience Teacher Ambassador Academy
Teachers Turn the Key Professional Development
Early Career Elements State Institute
Teacher Resiliency Professional Development Program
State Leaders Training Program
Administrator Track at NAAE Convention
Outstanding Early Career Teacher Award
Outstanding Middle/Secondary Agricultural Education
Program Award
Teacher Mentor Award
Ideas Unlimited Award
Lifetime Achievement Award
Outstanding Service Award
Regional Leadership Conferences
Virtual Book Club
Board & Committee Leadership
State Teach Ag Results (STAR) Grant Program
#TeachAg Collegiate Contest
National #TeachAg Day
National #Teach Ag Day Celebration Kits
Tagged to #TeachAg Events
#TeachAg Lesson Plan-in-a-Box
Future Agriscience Teacher Symposiums (FAST)
National Supply & Demand Study — State and Regional Profiles
National #TeachAg Ambassador Program
XLR8 - National Cohort for Experienced Teachers
Regional and State XLR8 Institutes
Agriscience Inquiry Learning Labs
National Teacher Appreciation Week
NAAE Agriscience Inquiry Institutes (Ag I2)
Ag Ed Strand at National Policy Seminar
Annual Symposium of the National Agriscience Teacher Ambassadors
Tagged to #TeachAg Kits
National #TeachAg Campaign Enrollment and Quarterly Communications
Ag Teacher Wise & Well Program
Professional State Association Awards
#TeachAg Recruitment Booth at National FFA Convention
Agricultural Education Relief Fund
My Local Cooperative - Curriculum Kits and Grants
Legislative Action Center
The State Teach Ag Results (STAR) program was created by NAAE in 2014 to increase recruitment and retention of agricultural educators at the state level.
The STAR program helps states create attainable and effective recruitment and retention plans that are ready to be implemented.
2024 STAR Program
2024 STAR Impact
41 states
59,976 high school students 118,410 postsecondary students
32,149 agriculture teachers 10,843 other stakeholders
221,378 total individuals impacted *data includes multiple impacts to same individual
$285,946 provided in state level funding support for recruitment & retention
My Local Cooperative
• Instructional Modules
• Virtual Cooperative Tour
• Interactive Notebook
• Career Profiles Library
• Workshop Materials
The My Local Cooperative initiative continued in 2024 with updated workshops to help teachers implement lessons about the benefits of and opportunities within agricultural cooperatives.
Scan to access My Local Cooperative resources on the NAAE website. Made possible by the CHS Foundation.
“I’m
especially excited about implementing the interactive notebook and activities as an engagement tool for my students.”
—Cameron Dale, Oklahoma
“As a teacher, it’s made my life easier, but my students have been able to see a lot broader realm of what agriculture really has.”
-Chad Warnick, Utah
Website Update
NAAE launched its revamped website in spring 2024.
The re-imagined site is member-centric, making it easier for visitors to find everything they need quickly.
Features include a new state leader’s resource area as well as a ShopNAAE
merchandise ordering portal and calendar.
The MyNAAE area has been enhanced. Members can log into this section to access and print professional development certificates and membership information.
The result is a platform that is easy to navigate with specific sections for pre-service agricultural education students, NAAE state leaders, and in-service teachers.
www.naae.org
2024 Member Communications
Social Media
• 827 total posts across NAAE’s four platforms
• Total impressions: 1,895,631
• 51,582 total followers across all platforms (+3,582 in 2024 across all platforms)
• 179 total email campaigns sent
• 627,555 unique sends
• 48% average open rate (+2% from 2023)
• 5% Click Rate (+3% from 2023)
• Total individuals subscribed to our email services: 21,341
• 66 regional newsletters sent out in 2024. Average open rate of 49.2%
• 12 monthly By Choice sent in 2024. Average open rate of 47.43%
• Average of 15 email campaigns sent each month
• 5,931 total subscribers to the #TeachAg List
NAAE fosters relationships with agricultural education-related organizations and stakeholders to promote the profession to both pre-service and current agricultural educators. These groups provide opportunities, resources, and more for members.
Thank you to our Partners in the Profession
THANK YOU TO THESE PARTNERS!
