July 2017 by Texas Ag Ed

NEWS A Texas Team Ag Ed Publication

July 2017

Spotlight on Agriculture Education Shane Crafton, Henrietta

Welcome to summer! That statement sounds good, but as many of you know, ag teachers don’t get much of a summer vacation. By the time you read this article, many of you will be on your way to Corpus for the State FFA convention. Be safe in your travels and remember the important cargo you carry. It seems as I get older, the downtime between school terms shrinks every year. Make sure each of you takes time away from school responsibilities to spend time with your families and recover and refresh yourselves before we start all over again next month. This month I would like to briefly touch on what I feel is a crucial subject that we all need to be thinking about: leadership for the future. I am not trying to step on toes with this article, but I feel this is important and needs to be said. We as ag teachers preach leadership to our students in everything that we do at the local, district, area, and state levels. We tell our young people in our programs to step up and take a leadership role in the FFA organization. Don’t get me wrong; I feel it is important that we have great student leadership if we want the FFA to thrive in the years to come. What about us as

ag teachers? Many of us for one reason or another have dodged a leadership role in our careers. Leading by example is one of the best forms of leadership you can model for your students. How can we expect our students to step forward and take a leadership role if we as ag teachers are not willing to do the same thing? The next couple of years are paramount to the success of our programs in the future. We are undertaking a tremendous task of area realignment, and there is a significant need for leaders to step forward and take charge of new areas and new districts while maintaining the leadership needs we have already established. Many of you feel that you are not qualified, or maybe too young, or too old, or ready for someone else to be in charge. Whatever the reason, take another look at yourself and your situation and think what you can do to help improve the odds for all students to be successful and have a chance to be in the spotlight. We are experts at standing back and telling others how things should be done and how our problems can be fixed. I challenge each of you to get off the back row, speak up, and take a leadership role in your district,

area, and even your community. The title “ag teacher” already identifies you as a leader whether you choose to be or not. John Quincy Adams once said, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.” Isn’t that what being an ag teacher is all about? It is time for all of us to take action, step forward, and take a leadership role because Texas Team Ag Education is a crucial part of the future of Texas leadership training. Doing this will help ensure that all our students remain in the bright spotlight of agricultural education.

VATAT News

The One at the Front of the Classroom

Barney McClure, VATAT Executive Director I had the chance to be at the State FFA Degree and Award Check last week. I continue to be amazed at the quality of young people who come through our agriculture education programs. The scholarships, awards, and degrees that come their way speak well of the education our students receive. Year after year, I see many of the same schools represented by these high achievers. Yet, some schools seem to rarely be represented. There might be many reasons for this fact; lack of administrative support, lack of community direction, and yes, the lack of a highly effective teacher. The common theme year after year is that schools which have highly motivated, energetic, and committed teachers will be successful. Schools that do not have educators like that will always be at a disadvantage. The FFA gives all students the framework to be successful, but not all members have the chance to do great things.

I continue to be in awe of the quality of the agriculture teachers we have in Texas. The vast majority always seem to have the best interests of their students at heart and back that up with a strong work ethic. The teacher is the key that unlocks the hearts and minds of our students. The success of any program is truly determined by the one at the front of the classroom in that school. Our communities, schools, and most of all, our teachers should take time to reflect on this undeniable fact.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE VATAT................................................................1 - 3 Texas FFA..............................................................5 Foundation.......................................................10 Young Farmers.............................................8 - 9

Registration now open visit VATAT.org donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget to check your tenure When registering 2

VATAT News

VATAT ,

WALK OR CRAWL REGISTRATION LINK FOUND AT

VATAT.ORG

MONDAY JULY 24, 2017

7AM

RICHARD GREENE LINEAR PARK

VATAT News

2017

battle at the ballpark bbq cook-off PRESENTED BY RIVERSTAR FARMS

JULY 24, 2017 PIONEER ELKS LODGE 601 W. PIONEER ARLINGTON, TX

7AM MOVE IN – 10 AM COOKS MEETING – 2 PM FIRST TURN IN CATEGORIES: BEEF TRI-TIP, PORK SPARE RIBS, WHOLE CHICKEN, OPEN APPETIZER, OPEN DRINK, AND CAMPSITE. COMPETITION MEATS ARE PROVIDED

$100 ENTRY PER TEAM TEAMS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR WATER, GENERATED POWER, APPETIZER AND DRINK INGREDIENTS AWARDS FOR 1ST PLACE IN EACH CATEGORY PLUS GRAND AND RESERVE CHAMPION (FOUR AWARDS FOR EACH WINNING TEAM)

TEAM NAME: MEMBERS:

PLEASE INCLUDE HOMETOWN OF EACH TEAM MEMBER

CONTACT INFO NAME AND PHONE NUMBER

: ENTRY DEADLINE: JULY 1

CALL BRIAN AT 1-800-662-8808 FOR DETAILS OR QUESTIONS

ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE VATAT SCHOLARSHIP FUND.

Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas 4

VATAT News

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Backpack (1) Binder (1)

er (1) Construction Pap Crayons (2) Dividers (1) Pocket Folders (6) Glue Bottle (1) Index Cards (4)

Markers (1) ) Notebook Paper (2 Ruler (1)

Water Colors (1) Comp Books (2) Manilla Paper (1)

) Colored Pencils (1 Kleenex (1)

VATAT News

PROCLAMATION 2017

Update Your Instructional Materials with iCEV Online Curriculum Utilize IMA funding to secure new instructional materials beginning Fall 2017 through 2024.

Attend our VATAT

WORKSHOPS Wednesday | July 26th Salon G

FIRST-TIME USERS

iCEV Implementation: Tips, Advice & Strategies for the Beginning User 8:30 - 10:00 AM

ADVANCED USERS

Learn More at VATAT

BOOTH #205 6

iCEV Implementation: Tips, Advice & Strategies for Student Licenses 10:15 - 11:45 AM & 1:15 - 2:45 PM

VATAT News

UPDATE Notes From the Executive Secretary Don Beene, Texas Young Farmers Executive Secretary It is almost time for Convention and Conference! and books to electronic on a flash drive. The final I encourage everyone to visit the Young Farmer product was to not exceed five minutes. Most every booth at the Texas FFA Convention and the VATAT activity done by a group today has some form of Conference. Please have your students come by, pictures taken because most participants have we will be giving away a $100 bill to a lucky FFA phones. Not sure how to do it? Find a young’un! member. We will also be giving away a cooler, We have been late in developing a program or two, at the VATAT Conference to a lucky ag to reach some high school seniors and college teacher. In addition, I will have something for students to educate and enlighten them about our young farmer chapter advisors. program. So, we asked chapters attending the The 2018 Texas Young Farmers Convention convention last year to sponsor, up to, two young will be unique and interesting. I hope you will mark people from their area to attend our first YALE your calendar to attend January 4-8 in Kerrville “Young Ag Leaders Education” speaking contest. Texas. If there is something you would like for the The Texas Young Farmers sponsored a trip to the board to consider, please let your vice president NYFEA Institute for the top two winners. Some know before our July 8th meeting. young people in your part of the state may have missed out! Look for updates to this activity, as A Back Porch Review national has changed their format due to loss of Terry Hausenfluck sponsors. Sitting here on my back porch thinking of the I’m still looking for ideas to get more members 2016 Texas Young Farmer Convention, I can’t involved in state activities; especially the younger help but to continue to wonder what we can do generations. I have a relatively young group that I to increase participation state wide; especially work with to begin with, but we still have an entry regarding our younger generations. Those age level that needs to grow. Don’t think that I outstanding young leaders who we need to take profess to have the answers because I don’t. I our place in this fine organization. There has to do know one thing, that if each one of us is not be something out there that would motivate them positively trying to deliver enthusiasm and passion to fill our shoes. Maybe the word just didn’t get all for the Texas Young Farmers all the way to the the way out like it should have. Here is another state level by our own actions then there is where attempt. we can start. Come to and bring others to our We created a Newcomers Award for Texas Young Farmer State Convention 2018 in young members, of no more than two years of Kerrville. membership. We created this award hoping they wouldn’t feel threatened by competition from members with more membership years. That We invite you to visit the Texas didn’t motivate! However, the other awards didn’t Young Farmers Booth at the bust the coral either, even after we broadened the Texas FFA Convention and terminologies. How about we look at these a little VATAT Conference this summer! harder this year. We changed the scrapbook award from paper 8

VATAT News

Distillery Tour Preview

2018 Texas Young Farmers Convention Located in the Beautiful Texas Hill Country, the city of Comfort is where Hill Country Distillers call home. Our Distillery is family owned and operated and we pride ourselves on providing a truly unique Texas product.

our spirits “Moonshine”. That was a double edged sword, making some people very cautious, but others out of wanting to try it. We have recently changed our label and removed “Moonshine” so folks might be more willing to give it a try. Stop in our tasting room and try out our entire line of spirits which includes our Texas Revenge Gin and liqueurs that we call Texas Dulces. Our operation is somewhat small in size. However, we believe that our small size allows us to provide a better quality of product.

Convention Contest Updates

Rules Digital Scrapbook: Competition is open to We make our Texas Spirits using ingredients native all Young Farmer Chapters attending the State to our state. We proudly utilize the abundance of Young Farmer Convention in January. The format the Prickly Pear Cactus native to Texas soil as is electronic digital submitted on a flash drive at well as hill country peaches, jalapeno and more. registration on Friday night at the convention. Our “Seasonal” product lines are designed to Content of the scrapbook will follow along with showcase the various regional fruits grown in the dates of the Outstanding Chapter Report (at this time September 1- August 31 of the previous great State of Texas. year). It may be created in a power point or similar program presentation not to exceed five (5) minutes in total length. Participation in this event is worth (5) points towards the Sweepstakes Award. Three places will be awarded extra points and possible monetary awards if sponsored. First place received (5) extra points, Second place received (3) extra points and Third place received Because we do not use any corn or grains, and (1) extra point. the method in which we distill, our Prickly Pear Young Farmer Newcomer: The purpose of the and Jalapeno Spirits fall into the official category Newcomer Award is to recognize first or second of “Specialty Distilled Spirits”. Well, that is a year members of the Young Farmers who have mouthful to try and market, so we began by calling shown participation in the Texas Young Farmers at the state level as well as with their local chapter. our spirits

Thank You to Our Texas Young Farmers Sponsors

VATAT News

STAYING CONNECTED TO 89-YEARS OF SUCCESS… WE’VE GOT AN APP FOR THAT!

THE NEW MY TEXAS FFA MOBILE APP Get immediate access to the latest information about Texas FFA Watch live streaming video events Get exclusive offers and discounts for My Texas FFA App insiders Easily stay connected and share the Texas FFA story online VISIT MYTEXASFFA.ORG TO DOWNLOAD IT TODAY 10

“WHAT DID YOU EXPECT, LA QUINTA?”

Texas FFA Supporters enjoy extra savings* at La Quinta Inns & Suites™ La Quinta Inns & Suites is the official hotel chain for Texas FFA Association and Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas! TM

Save at over 885 locations across the U.S., Canada and Latin America for Texas FFA members, families, friends and supporters. • Free Bright Side Breakfast® • Free Ultra-Fast WiFi • Comfy Pillowtop Bed • Swimming Pools & Fitness Centers at most locations • Ample Parking for trucks and trailers

Book now at LQ.com/FFA or call 800-SLEEPLQ (753-3757) and ask for Promo Code: FFA. *Discount is available at participating La Quinta hotels nationwide for FFA Members, their families and supporters. Offer subject to availability, advance reservations required, tax extra. This offer cannot be combined with any other discount or offer, not valid during special events or blackout dates.

Proud Supporter of the Texas FFA

THERE CAN’T BE A GAME WON WITHOUT A GAME PLAN See what Texas FFA students have to say at mytexasffa.org 11

VATAT News

VATAT

614 E. 12th Street Austin, Texas 78701

Professional Development Conference Highlights Sunday, July 23

Monday, July 24

4:00 pm VATAT Board of Directors Meeting

8:00 am Certification & Training Workshops

7:00 am Registration

1:00 pm Registration

8:30 am Opening Session

7:00 am Exhibit Show

1:00 pm Exhibit Show

11:30 am Taste of Texas

6:00 pm New Teacher Workshop

Wednesday, July 26 7:00 am VATAT Board of Directors Meeting

1:15 pm Area / District Meetings

Thursday, July 27 8:00 am Exhibit Show 8:30 am Professional Development Workshops

8:00 am Exhibit Show 8:30 am Professional Development Workshops

Tuesday, July 25

Friday, July 28 8:00 am Closing General Session 10:30 am Area Meetings

6:00 pm Family Night

Contact www.vatat.org

(512) 472-3128

vatat@vatat.org

Officers Shane Crafton, President

Michael Meadows, Vice President

Tammy Christian, Secretary/Treasurer

Staff Barney McClure, Executive Director

Ashley Dunkerley, Communications

Karen Jones, Membership Services