March 2015 by Texas Ag Ed

NEWS A Texas Team Ag Ed Publication

March 2015

The Way I See It Jack Winterrowd, Cedar Park

We recently lost a great man whose life changed many people. Terry Wick was a good friend and colleague of mine for many years. He served on the VATAT Board of Directors for many years, and was always a person we could count on for advice and counsel. The lives of his students were greatly impacted by his efforts to teach them about agriculture and his influence to mold them into outstanding young men and women. His long and successful teaching career is an inspiration to me and many others. His passing leaves a hole in the hearts of everyone whom he had influenced. “I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live up to what light I have.” ― Abraham Lincoln March is the month that many ag teachers dread. We are still in the midst of stock shows and CDE season is in full swing. This can be overwhelming and I find myself in fullout life preservation mode. It is one day at a time and almost constant prayers to help me get through the next big thing on my list. I am a list maker and a sticky note poster. In retrospect, I should have invested in 3M when sticky notes were first invented since my desk and the cabinet above it are covered in sticky notes. In the Gallop Strengths Finder Assessment, I am an Arranger in the first degree. Because of my tendency to arrange things, I usually manage to keep everything going in the forward direction that it has to go.

Sometimes I do not succeed in those efforts but I do my best to live up to the expectations placed upon me by my family, my employer and myself. Sometimes I catch myself saying “I am bound and determined” to get things done. Sometimes, they get done by sheer determination alone. “In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility” ― Eleanor Roosevelt I was reading some of the Facebook comments about Terry. Many of which were from his former students. They wrote of the ways that he had shaped their lives and their futures. This is something that all teachers do and especially ag teachers because of the deep

commitment we have to our jobs and our students’ success. Much of their success is based on the professional development we receive at our summer conference. We have the privilege to make choices and a duty to take responsibility for the results of our choices. March is also the time when we begin to think about our summer activities and begin to plan ahead. The registration and housing information for the 2015 Conference will soon be available for teachers to view. The VATAT staff is fully engaged in the plans and preparations for the conference to be held in Waco on July 27-31, 2015. A full course of professional improvement opportunities will be laid out before us and in fine fashion.

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VATAT News

2015 Conference

The Way I See It

Barney McClure, VATAT Executive Director

Continued

Conference planning is going full steam ahead. I realize late July is probably not on your radar screen this early, but it is prime time for the VATAT staff. Ashley Dunkerley sent a survey out earlier that will help us make final workshop selections. Also, a group of teachers came to Austin in December to have input into this process. We try to strike a balance of subject matter, presenters and room availability. Look for some off-site workshops, as well as some 30 minute mini-workshops during the conference. The exhibitor/sponsorship packet went out to potential partners the last week of January. We have a number of responses that will begin to fill in the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle that is the exhibit show. Space won’t be unlimited as it is in Corpus Christi, but we will definitely have more than in Abilene. Part of my job includes placing them in a space they are happy with. It’s Not always the easiest part of my job, but they are an important component in conference that make it exciting and collaborative. I work with Traylor Convention Planning, and sign all hotel/motel contracts for room blocks. Waco Convention Center has one adjacent hotel, and another right across the street. There should be plenty of rooms at reasonable rates. Planning the general sessions can also be a challenge. Hiring a keynote speaker is usually the issue. You would like to have one that is recognizable and has a great message, but spending $10,000 to $15,000 for a one hour presentation is probably not going to happen. We also like to have updates from Stock Shows, the FFA and the Foundation to inform the members on any new developments. It is also a great time to recognize a variety of tenure milestones, retirees and other award winners. Karen Jones heads up registration, and she and Tyler Weighat have some innovations to unveil. We are looking at ways that will make it easier to document your attendance. This is not to be a “gotcha” type deal, but a way to print out a record of what you attended, making it easier to document your Continuing Professional Education hours for renewing your certificates. This came from one of the planning sessions. No conference would be the same without good food. In fact, between the Monday, Wednesday, Thursday box lunches, and the family night meal, food constitutes one of our most costly components. Of course we currently have some sponsorship money coming in to cover some of the costs. We hope that you find Waco to be very family friendly, with attractions such as the Texas Ranger Museum, Texas Sports Hall of Fame, McLane Stadium, and of course the Dr. Pepper Museum. For you natural history fans, you might want to check out the Waco Mammoth Site just north of town. Numerous dining choices and a lively downtown district near the convention center, should provide something for nearly everyone. We’ll keep you posted.

I am truly looking forward to the conference. Since this is the 75th year of the VATAT, I have been somewhat preoccupied with an introspective approach to my year of service as president. I see this anniversary as a huge milestone in our organization. Did the founding fathers of the VATAT have a vision about what it would look like 75 years later? Maybe the larger question is, what will it look like in another 75 years? I think it is essential to own a historical perspective of where we have been as an organization but it is perhaps more important to focus on where we are going in the future. I am a person who thinks about where we need to be in the future. That vision is part of the joint strategic planning efforts that we have begun in Team Ag Ed. We must ask ourselves what will the future look like and then we must decide what actions we will take to build that future. “How would your life be different if you walked away from gossip and verbal defamation? Let today be the day... You speak only the good you know of other people and encourage others to do the same.” ― Steve Maraboli Terry was a person who always looked for the good in other people. I cannot recall a single time when I heard him speak ill of another person. Sadly, I cannot make that claim for myself. But I can make the conscious choice to do better in the future. I plan to make better choices in my professional development at the conference. For the coming months, I plan to dedicate more time to not being in full-out preservation mode. That effort alone will probably require another package of sticky notes! I plan to take the opportunity to be more encouraging and uplifting in my conversations with other people. I challenge you to think about how you can make changes in your life so that you can achieve more, do more and be more. “The most important thing is this: to be able at any moment - to sacrifice what you are, for what you will become!” ― Eric Thomas The picture for this month is the most recent one of the VATAT Board of Directors. Terry is in the picture. He was dedicated to his position on the board. There are over 65 other ag teachers who are also dedicated to making the VATAT the strongest and best it can be. Your officer team is committed to that same level of excellence and desire to continuously improve so that the 75th year will be our best yet and it will set the pace for the next big milestone. I challenge you do your best and look forward to what you will become. And that’s the way I see it…

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

VATAT................................................................1 - 2 Texas FFA...........................................................4 - 5 Foundation.............................................6 Texas FFA Alumni................................................7 Young Farmers...........................................10 - 11

VATAT News

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VATAT News

UPDATE Spring 2015 Announcements Tom Maynard, Executive Director & Kaleigh Burnett, Student Recognition and Scholarship Coordinator As you prepare for CDEs, SAE award applications, and degrees please review the rules, rubrics, and updated application content for each respective area. Several CDE changes came through the CDE Advisory Committee and Texas FFA Board of Directors earlier this year. You may have already seen some of these changes on our Texas FFA website, but they are also worth noting.

Career Development Events CDE Drop Sheets: The Career Development Events Programmatic Advisory Committee opted to devise a number of drop sheets for various CDE events that could be used to record what was documented and turned in on the approved scan sheets. Please visit the CDE page on the Texas FFA website to confirm if your event will utilize a Texas FFA CDE Drop Sheet, they are available for print on each respective event page. There has been a change to general rule #17 which has been reworked to specifically designate what acceptable materials that are authorized for team members to bring into events. 17. Students may not bring pictures, printed material, or any items that have not been issued or authorized. Where non-programmable calculators are permitted (see individual events), the memory must be clear before entering the event location. The event superintendent will provide blank paper if it is necessary. Violation of these rules will result in team disqualification. Team members may bring a clean folder, scan sheet and/or a copy of the scan sheet for recording their placing’s; in addition to the authorized materials from the Texas FFA that are posted on the individual rules pages for each respective event. A teacher committee will be responsible for ensuring compliance to this rule. Livestock: This year, the Livestock CDE will have a change in the class structure of the event. Feeder cattle grading has been eliminated and will be replaced with an additional class of goats (these can be breeding goats or market goats depending on event provider preference).

This change was made to reflect growing trends and changes within the industry. Please visit the Texas FFA website and check the Livestock CDE page for additional details. Marketing Plan: With the increased popularity of the Marketing Plan CDE, there were two managerial rules that came before the committee that resulted in the following changes. This year, each chapter may only field ONE team in this event, NOT two as in previous years. If there are more than 21 teams participating and the event provider has to break into three flights, then only ONE team from each flight will advance. Veterinary Science: The Veterinary Science CDE sub-committee offered some revisions earlier in the year. Due to event provider logistics and specimen availability, some of the revisions that were posted are no longer in effect. The updated 2015 Instruments List that was previously posted will still be used. The Parasites/Organs list that will be used will be the same list that was used last year. There were some corrections made to the exam and key, as well as the breeds list; none of which changes the content of this event. Please visit the Texas FFA website to download the current contest materials. Cotton: Due to limited production of the cotton standards, the USDA Cotton Division will not be able to provide samples. Texas Tech University will soon have photos available to chapters for the cost of the flash drive and processing. As an alternative, chapters may use old samples they may have as well as attend the optional TTU Invitational workshop. Additionally, the classing office will be open for practice prior to the State CDE. For more information please contact Dr. Rudy Ritz, rudy.ritz@ ttu.edu.

Changes and Tips For SAE Applications: There are several improvements that have been made to adjust the user experience for the online award applications from National FFA. Several of these features are highlighted below. • All Applications are accessed through AET. • American Degree Requirements have increased for 2015. Effective Jan. 1, 2015: A student after entering

VATAT News agricultural education must have: 1. Earn at least $10,000 and productively invested $7,500 or 2. Have earned and productively invested at least $2,000 and worked 2,250 unpaid hours in excess of scheduled class time; Any combination of hours, times a factor of 3.56 plus actual dollars earned and productively invested must be equal to or greater than the number 10,000. Hours used for the purpose of producing earnings reported as productively invested income shall not be duplicated as hours of credit to meet the minimum requirements for the degree. 3. Have a record of outstanding leadership skills. Have completed at least 50 hours of community service within at least three different community service activities. These hours are in addition to the paid or unpaid supervised agricultural experience hours. For additional details, please make sure to visit: The Texas FFA website, or For additional details, please make sure to visit: The Texas FFA website. • Additional help content is available in all applications through video assistance and drop down menus. • Spell check is now built into the applications. • Automatic check sheets are built into applications. • Digital uploading of pictures to the Proficiency and Star Applications. • Character count replaced fixed text boxes to allow for a more consistent experience for users. • Digital resume added to increase consistency for all users in the Stars and Proficiency applications. You must use this digital resume and no other version or template. • Students are able to report entrepreneurship and placement SAE activities in the new combined proficiency application. • All applications now generate a PDF report formatted like the application. Remember: American Degree applications, Star application submissions, Proficiency applications: Submit all approved signatures pages, along with a PDF to your respective district and area checks by the prescribed dates. Proficiency Application Update: Rubrics are now built into the application.

• Advisors can assign a student to work on the application. • Important to review the export to make sure that all text fits on the boxes. 2015 Golden Horizon Award: This application will be online this year, and it will launch on the Texas FFA Website April 1, 2015.

2015 Scholarship Information

2015 Texas FFA Scholarship, John Justin Standard of the West Award, and Ryan Mott Scholarship: These applications are now all online applications that can be accessed through the Texas FFA roster management system. Important Texas FFA Scholarship Application Requirement Changes: At its second quarter meeting held in January of this year, the Texas FFA Association Board of Directors approved an amendment to its scholarship selection policy that struck the language which prohibited students from simultaneously applying for FFA and 4-H scholarships. As a result, FFA members may now apply in both processes and receive scholarships through both organizations insofar as donor requirements permit. For example, a student may not receive a Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo or Wallrath Foundation Scholarship through both organizations. The Texas FFA Association has sought to work cooperatively with its Texas 4-H partners to accommodate students who excel in both programs, and to the extent possible will continue to do so.

2015 National Chapter Award • 2015 Online Application is available, but it is optional for this year. Online application does not mean online submission. • Online application mirrors the Excel version of the application. • The online application will transport to Excel, and changes can be made after exporting: Examples-Font color, bolding, text changes (DO NOT change size)

VATAT News

UPDATE Work or Passion? Motivation or Inspiration? Aaron Alejandro, Texas FFA Foundation Executive Director Do you enjoy what you do for a living? Is it work or is it a passion? What if it’s a little of both? In working with the great sponsors of the Texas FFA, I’m inspired by their passion for life and the brands they represent. It seems daily I’m on the phone with “busy people” – “successful people” whose time is precious and worth much. Kindly, they are always willing to share in conversation about how we make our Texas FFA passion more successful, engaging and encouraging for others. Can we ever really motivate anyone to do something? I don’t know. I believe motivation comes from within. However, great mentors and people with passion can inspire us to dream big and work hard to make those dreams come true …. to believe in the possibilities of life. Texas agricultural science educators are some of the most inspirational and influential, people in our state. They challenge our students to stand and deliver – speeches, on teams, with their projects, with their peers and in their communities. Most people rise to a level of expectation and our teachers challenge our students to engage – not sit on the sidelines, but be a part of successful outcomes. People who inspire do clever things. A good friend of mine gave me a unique gift that hangs on my office wall. It is a cartoon sketch of me and some of my mentors. Quotes from my mentors line the edges of the print - those who inspired and challenged me to excel and be all that God created me to do. We all need passion and people in our lives that inspire us to believe we can achieve all that God desired for our individual purposes. Texas agriculture, agricultural education, and the FFA need leaders fueled by passion - folks who are as inspiring as they are willing to inspire. When we all work together, we create some really great young people. Leaders who on occasion stop and right a note just to say thanks and let us know that our efforts were noticed. I recently received an unexpected note from Ms. Lacie DeRojas. She tells a great story and one I believe is reflected in many of our members currently in the FFA and those who once wore the blue and gold. Thanks for sharing, Lacie.

Note From Lacie DeRojas, Former FFA Member

My name is Lacie DeRojas and I’m freshman at Texas

A&M University. I have always enjoyed my work with agriculture and animal agriculture. As an elementary age student, I started a walk with the FFA through junior membership. Once I hit high school, I really kicked my FFA involvement into high gear. I worked hard on my Supervised Agriculture Experience (SAE), participated in many career and leadership events, served as a chapter and district officer for the FFA, and most proudly served as a Foundation Ambassador for two years and I’m currently working toward receiving my American FFA Degree. FFA has helped mold me, instill core values and helped prepare me for college and my career. The Ambassador program exposed me to many great mentors. Mentors who challenged me, engaged my critical thinking skills, and encouraged me to dream big and work to make those dreams come true. Participation in the Ambassador program was a unique part of my FFA experience. I had the chance to work with industry leaders, CEOs and professionals who challenged me to articulate “my FFA story,” and share the value of that experience with others. The positive life skills I was able to develop and hone will serve me for many years. My journey would not have been as successful without the support and direction of my agricultural science instructors. I owe a great amount of gratitude to Ms. Michelle Sammon and Mr. Mike Littrell. My teachers were always there for me – as well as all the students of the Dawson FFA – pushing us to excel and challenged us to dream big. My teachers became my mentors and helped direct me to greater opportunities where I met other mentors like the Executive Director of the Texas FFA Foundation. One word describes what I came away with from my FFA experience – PASSION. Passion for agriculture, passion for my fellow man and passion for the FFA are all great take aways from the FFA experience. I believe the FFA has something for everyone and I too believe everyone has something to offer the FFA. I’m just one voice, one story that comes from the ranks of the blue and gold. Take advantage of the FFA experience, learn all you can and connect with as many people as you can. I have been inspired and now I want to live a life that inspires others.

VATAT News

UPDATE Headache or Handshake Kelly White, Texas FFA Alumni President Headache or handshake; this was the title of a letter that I handed out the year I began my teaching career. There was discord amongst the group. They were bickering about how things where to be done and who was responsible for getting the job done. There were major personality conflicts which spread to the students. It was almost like a soap opera if you were looking from the outside in. Although I have to admit it, it sometimes was even comedic. But why did a 23 year old have to be a referee to adults/supporters? The letter begins something like this…“Webster defines boost as to raise or lift by pushing up from behind or below.” I added, “It does not mean to put down or hold back…” I even mentioned that if they could not support the program that there may be a need for this “Booster Club” to disband. I passed the letters out and I asked that they take the time to read the words that I had written and I would be glad to discuss more of my expectations for this group and their children. We discussed the direction that we wanted to take, and the steps that it would take to get us there. We talked about how we need to forget the negatives from the past and focus on our current situation and build from there. We started talking about fundraising, the local chapter show, and what major shows we would attend. I thought things were going well. Don’t get me wrong. We did not break out and sing “Kumbaya” or anything like that, I felt that we were accomplishing something. Still, not everyone was happy with my letter. A slight minority (note slight) openly asked who I thought I was talking to them the way that I did. I bit my tongue, said nothing, and soon the meeting adjourned. There was still a split in the group. I did not accomplish what I had set out to do. Or did I? The next meeting would be the determining factor. It was the next month and the meeting was called to order. The room was divided into its cliques. The opposition related back to my letter and asked about how to go about disbanding the group. It took me by surprise when the group was disbanded in the first few minutes of that meeting. Even those that I felt had supported me voted in favor of disbanding; but what happened next was astounding. One of those that supported me stood up

and stated the following - “I do not need a name or a title to support an organization that means so much to my children and does so much for them in the long run. Mr. White, if you need me to bake a cake to raise money, I will. I will work in the concession stand like I have for years. I am here for the FFA kids. I do not need a title!” You may call your support group a “Booster Club” yet hopefully you call it an “FFA Alumni Chapter/Affiliate’ (please remember to pay your state & national dues if you are using the Alumni name). Either way, Tell those that support you how much you appreciate them supporting you & your program.

WCL Scholarships To Be Announced Soon Every year, FFA members from all over the United States travel to Washington, D.C. to attend the Washington Leadership Conference (WLC). During the five-day event, attendees learn how to become effective leaders by teaching them to know their purpose, value people, take action and serve others. This is no ordinary leadership experience. You will spend a week putting these skills into practice as you make new friends from across the United States, tour our nation’s capitol and visit with members of Congress. This action-packed week will help you gain selfconfidence and leadership skills to take back to your FFA chapter and share with other members. They leave the Washington Leadership Conference with the knowledge and the confidence to act in ways that help their schools, community, and their country. The Texas FFA Alumni has traditionally granted four (4) $500.00 scholarships to deserving FFA members whose local affiliate are in good standing with the Texas FFA Alumni. The Washington Leadership Conference scholarship recipients will be announced by March 1st and winners notified by March 15th.

VATAT News

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VATAT News

UPDATE Notes From the Executive Secretary Don Beene, Texas Young Farmers Executive Secretary March is here; a time to revel in the end of the winter months, a time to celebrate Texas Independence Day, St. Patrick’s day and most importantly National Pancake Day. It’s also a time for you to get your students to complete the 2015 Young Farmers Scholarship Application. This year, we will be presenting five (5) $1,000.00 scholarships at the Texas FFA Convention in July. Applicants must be from schools that have a Young Farmers Chapter, as well as submit a resume format application, and provide a functioning email address. Normally I have 9 to 20 applications, so students have exceptional odds in receiving a scholarship. Keep in mind that ALL applications must be postmarked on April 1, 2015 or earlier. The format is on the web page www.txyoungfarmers.org. I still haven’t received dues, or emails from a few chapters.

It’s important to get those emails in so we can send a list to the national organization. Email is a good way to communicate and record data much faster; I just need the full cooperation of teachers to do that. This year The Texas Young Farmers has grown. After crunching the numbers, I expect that we will end up with 45 chapters and a little over 800 members! We had an excellent State Convention in Bryan this year with 82 people present. I look forward to another successful convention next year at the same venue. See you January 7th through 9th 2016 at the Best Western in Bryan for the 61st State Convention. Please make a note that the dues and rosters are due November 1st each year. Also do not forget to file your taxes for your tax exempt status with the 990 e Post Card.

Thank You Texas Young Farmers Sponsors

Ag Workers Mutual Insurance is a long time sponsor of our convention. We appreciate their support and encourage our members to contact them for their insurance needs. Sandra Choate, Vice President of Public Relations is shown in the picture of their booth. Farm Credit Bank of Texas and FFA Foundation are also long time sponsors but did not have a booth at the Convention this year. Our Thanks to each of these major sponsors.

VATAT News

Chapter Basket Contest Each year at the State Convention one of our best fund raisers is a Chapter Basket Contest. Each Chapter is encouraged to bring a bushel basket (rules are found on the web page www.txyoungfarmers. org). After the baskets are judged first place receive $100, second place $75 and third place $50. All baskets are auctioned to benefit the scholarship fund. First place at the 60th Convention was the Bryan Chapter, second place went to the Crosby Chapter and third place was the Schulenburg Chapter.

VATAT News

VATAT

614 East 12th Street Austin, Texas 78701

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Upcoming Events March

April

1st Spring Membership Deadline

April Continued

1st Swine Tag Orders Begin

15th Foundation Ambassador Application Deadline

1st VATAT Scholarship Application Deadline

14th Star of Texas Fair 3rd Houston Livestock Show 30th Texas FFA Board of Directors Meeting

15th Texas FFA Convention Media Deadline

1st Texas Young Farmer Scholarship Deadline

21th Steer Tag Order Deadline

11th Invitational CDE, Texas Tech

31st Texas FFA Foundation Board of Directors Meeting

23rd State CDEs, Tarleton 25th State CDEs, Texas Texh

15th State FFA Chorus Application Deadline

YOUR PARTNERS IN PRINT HIGH QUALITY SALES CATALOGS Call Don Denny Today!

Office 806.794.7752 | Cell 806.789.7712 slategroup.com

Contact www.vatat.org

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vatat@vatat.org

Officers Jack Winterrowd, President

Ray Pieniazek, Vice President

Shane Crafton, Secretary/Treasurer

Staff Barney McClure, Executive Director

Ashley Dunkerley, Communications

Karen Jones, Membership Services