Welcome to #FFAChat News
Our goal is to provide you with a quick overview of upcoming opportunities through the Minnesota FFA and our partners. If you have events, internships, contests or other information to share, please email it to minnesotaffa@gmail.com.
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See Chapter Success in Action
Looking for inspiration when planning your Program of Activities and ultimately your National Chapter Award application? The redesigned 2018 National FFA Chapter Awards Guide (formerly known as the Chapter Success Guide) is now available online. The guide features the 45 National Chapter Award finalists honored during the 91st National FFA Convention & Expo last October. Read these unique stories of community engagement and chapter accomplishments to inspire your members to better their schools and communities.
Need some proven ideas that work in Minnesota? Check out the ideas shared at the State Leadership Conference for Chapter Leaders.
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Pictures Wanted!
Do you have pictures from your events this summer? Please share them for a chance to see them highlighted throughout the year and at State FFA Convention with minnesotaffa@gmail.com!
Did you host an Agricultural Literacy event? Send us more information at https://form.jotform.com/MNFFA/20agliteracy.
Has your chapter hosted service projects? Send us more information at https://form.jotform.com/MNFFA/1920landofservice.
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| Career and Leadership Opportunities |
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Why Attend #FFANextGen: Animal Systems - Due October 1
The conference is geared for FFA members in their junior or senior years of high school at the time of the conference that have a desire to learn about and experience the Animal Systems Career Pathway. All candidates must demonstrate the intention to attend college or be career-ready through work experience, training or other activities in connection to a career in the Animal Systems Career Pathway.
Conference Overview
This conference will focus on the Animal Systems Career Pathway. Throughout the week, 50 participants will take part in informational sessions on topics such as:
- New and emerging ideas, trends and products in animal systems
- The use of big data
- Advocacy and engagement
- Sustainable agriculture
- Career/college plan development
- Financial management
- National regulation and regulatory issues
Additionally, participants will enjoy field and operation tours around the greater Kansas City, Mo., area and develop a future readiness plan. The week’s capstone is a celebratory networking banquet.
#FFANextGen: Animal Systems
When: Feb. 18 – 23, 2020
Where: Kansas City, Mo.
Apply by Oct. 1, 2019
Total Participants: 50
No registration, meal or lodging costs for participants. Participants are only required to cover their travel to and from the conference.
Learn more and apply at https://www.ffa.org/participate/next-generation-conference/.
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Native Youth Essay Contest – Due October 14
Native American, Native Hawaiian and Alaska Native youth can participate in the Intertribal Ag Council Youth Conference (December 9-12) in Las Vegas if they are one of the three essay finalists OR one of several other top-rated essay contestants in general. Three finalists will be keynote speakers at the conference but finalists and top rated contestants would receive travel scholarships for themselves and a chaperone. Students must be enrolled in a Federally Recognized Tribe or Tribal descendants living on Indian-owned land entering grades 9-12 this school year. Details are here.
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Blue Jackets Bright Futures
Blue Jackets, Bright Futures applications are due on October 15th to earn your own FFA jacket. Apply today at this link: https://bit.ly/2lSV98j
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Did you know there are more than 40 workshops available at the National FFA Convention? If you are heading to Indianapolis with us at the end of the month, check out the full schedule of workshops at: https://convention.ffa.org/event-directory/student-teacher-workshops/
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SAE Grants now available
Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs) are a core part of agricultural education. Thanks to our sponsors, the National FFA Organization is pleased to announce this year 176 SAE grants of $1,000 each are available to help FFA members in grades 7 – 12 start or expand an SAE.
The SAE Grant application is available only through the National FFA Organization website. Go to the SAE Grants webpage of FFA.org and click the “SAE GRANT APPLICATION” button or click on any of the “Application Center” buttons throughout the webpage.
Applications are due online by Nov. 15, 2019, at 8 p.m. Eastern Time.
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Habits to Own Leadership Conference
This one day conference takes students through creating ripples of leadership in their personal lives. Attendees will learn how to develop action plans for their own lives from every angle in order to create an influence. The focus for this conference will be on building teams through relationship building.
Learn more at: https://goo.gl/Lak7Nx
Register now at: https://forms.gle/FgQdkarMJTgm7zbm7
Registration due November 6. Cost is $30.
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Save the Date:
February 1: State Officer Nominating Committee Application due
March 1: State Officer Application due
National Chapter Award due
March 15: State Band and Chorus Applications due
Land of Service and Ag. Literacy Submissions due
April 15: National Officer Candidate Letter of Intent due
April 19-21: Minnesota FFA Convention in St. Paul/Minneapolis
June 15-19: State Greenhand Leadership Conference
June 27-29 and 30-2: State Leadership Conference for Chapter Leaders
July 20-22: POWER Conference for Region Officers
Check out mnffa.org for more details!
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CHAPTER AWARDS:
1st Place-$500
2nd Place-$250
3rd Place -$150
Entries will be judged on:
• Eye appeal
• Construction
• Use of materials
• Creativity
RULES
-All entries must be constructed using at least one large square or big round bale.
-All entries must be submitted to ajackson@krone-na.com by an FFA chapter advisor.
-All entries must be publicly displayed and easily seen from a road with a picture of the display and its location/address submitted to ajackson@krone-na.com.
-All entries must integrate the Krone brand (name or logo ) into their design.
-Bales can be placed lying on their side or on end.
-Safe practices must always be front of mind and adhered to for participants and viewers of the bale art.
-Paint and other art materials may be applied to the hay bale,
-Bales should be decorated with good, clean, wholesome ideas. No vulgar or suggestive decorations are allowed. No commercial or political party signs are allowed. No profanity or obscene gestures are allowed.
-Final results of the Krone Battle of the Bales will be posted on Krone North America’s Facebook page and the chapters will be notified by e-mail after November 15, 2019, if they have been selected for one of the cash prizes.
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Culver’s Launches FFA Essay Contest
FFA sponsor Culver’s is once again hosting its annual FFA Essay Contest. Three FFA chapters have a chance to win $7,500, $5,000 and $2,500 respectively to use toward their agricultural education initiatives, such as attending the National FFA Convention & Expo this October. This year’s essay question: The 2017 National FFA Convention & Expo theme was I Can. We Will. What does this mean to you, and how will you apply it in your future ag career? Visit https://www.culvers.com/essaycontest to learn more. Apply by April 6.
2018 PROMPT:
The 2017 National FFA Convention & Expo theme was "I can. We will." What does this mean to you, and how will you apply it in your future ag career?
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$400 Day of Service Mini-Grant Available
Day of Service Mini-Grants are available to middle school, high school and alumni chapters to make a difference in your community in one of four focus areas: Community Safety; Hunger, Health and Nutrition; Environmental Responsibility and Community Engagement. Please note: For Day of Service Mini-Grants, when you should apply is determined by the date of your service event. Requirements for event dates have been updated. To learn more and see a full list of the Day of Service Mini-Grant dates, visit the Living to Serve Grants website at www.ffa.org/livingtoserve/grants. |
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National DHIA offers $1,000 scholarships
National Dairy Herd Information Association is now accepting applications for $1,000 scholarships to full-time, incoming and continuing students at technical and two-year and four-year colleges/universities. To be eligible for a National DHIA scholarship, the applicant must be a family member or employee of a herd on DHI test, family member of a DHI employee or employee of a DHI affiliate.
Applications are due Nov. 30. Recipients will be announced at the 2020 National DHIA Annual Meeting, set for March 3-5, 2020, in Savannah, Ga. To apply for a National DHIA scholarship, log on to: www.dhia.org and download and complete the electronic application form. For more information, contact JoDee Sattler, National DHIA scholarship coordinator, at 414-587-5839 or jdsattler@dhia.org.
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KOEHLER & DRAMM'S INSTITUTE OF FLORISTRY
The Floral Arts Scholarship is awarded annually to one deserving high school student senior or recent graduate (within the last year from date of graduation) who has demonstrated a passion for flowers and design, a strong desire to expand their knowledge, and has aspirations of a career in the floral industry.
A $1,000 total scholarship provides financial assistance towards the tuition fees of five designated courses. Awards in the amount of $200 will be used towards each of the following: Floristry 1 - Foundations, Floristry 2 - Intermediate, Corsages & Boutonnieres, Today’s Tribute Designs, and Potter’s Bench Profits. Read more here: https://www.kdfloralinstitute.com/scholarship-information?fbclid=IwAR2Yn-j3hN9qZPP6Rvdap61k6Ea0lXPwfhr4GNwJcSQzUJF9smApamiYZPg
Application due December 31.
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Good luck to Kegan Zimmermann who is running for a National FFA office during the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, October 30th-November 2nd! Kegan is a sophomore majoring in Applied Economics and Political Science at the University of Minnesota. His future career goal is to work in agricultural policy, either for a company, trade association or department of agriculture where he can help forge good legislation and apply regulations in a way that benefits producers and consumers in the food system. Kegan is excited to be running for national office and to be receiving his American degree. He is looking forward to his family being able to experience national convention for the first time, and for them being involved with this incredible FFA adventure with him!
Best of luck Kegan!
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Five National Proficiency Finalists to be Recognized
National FFA Agricultural Proficiency Awards recognize outstanding students who have developed invaluable skills that will assist them in their future careers through their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE). This year, Minnesota will have five finalists advancing to compete at the 92nd National Convention October 30th through November 2nd in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Minnesota’s finalists include:
- Rebeckah Schroeder of the Caledonia FFA Chapter in the area of Dairy Production-Placement;
- Jonni Biren of the Russell Tyler Ruthton FFA Chapter in the area of Equine Science-Placement;
- Brayden Schultz of the United South Central FFA Chapter in the area of Fiber and/or Oil Crop Production-Entrepreneurship and Placement;
- Ashley Teubert of the Glencoe Silver Lake FFA Chapter in the area of Specialty Animal Production-Entrepreneurship and Placement, and
- Jacob Stevermer of the United South Central FFA Chapter in the area of Swine Production-Placement.
We are so excited for these members and look forward to cheering them on at National Convention in the coming weeks.
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Seven Minnesota FFA members ready to share their talents
Music has a way of speaking to the soul just as these FFA members do. Attending national convention for band, from the Redwood FFA chapter is Hannah Sturgeon. Preparing to sing in the chorus is Julia Thaden of Willmar FFA, Andrea Escher of Russell Tyler Ruthton FFA, Darrin Williamson of Atwater Cosmos Grove City FFA, and Daniel Gardiner of Mountain Lake FFA. Finally, these two are ready to sing and dance it up on stage for the talent competition: Jacob Borgstrom from the Brainerd FFA chapter and Riley Moland from the Fertile-Beltrami FFA chapter!
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20 Minnesota FFA Members Advance to National AgriScience Fair
Students from across the nation create projects and presentations that mirror the National Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Career Cluster Content Standards. Through these projects, students gain skills that will prepare them for their future careers. National FFA Agriscience Fair participants are FFA members in grades 7-12 that were selected as a winner as their state’s agriscience fair. The participants must conduct a scientific research project pertaining to the agriculture and food science industries and present their findings to a panel of judges with a display and a report. This year, Minnesota will be sending 20 students representing 5 chapters at the National FFA Convention and Expo. Good luck at national convention!
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18 Minnesota FFA Chapter Receive National Recognition
FFA Chapters from across the country have been selected as National Chapter Award Finalists. This award is based on a chapter's implementation of the FFA mission and is outlined in the National Quality Chapter Standards. In Minnesota, 18 chapters received the National Chapter Award State Star.
Congratulations to the members and advisors from the following: Academy for Sciences & Agriculture, Chatfield, Eden Valley Watkins, Howard Lake Waverly Winsted, Plainview Elgin Millville, Sleepy Eye, South Central AgriScience Academy, Dassel Cokato, Deer River, Detroit Lakes, Forest Lake, Hancock, Morris Area, Princeton, Randolph, Redwood Valley, Springfield, and Thief River Falls FFA Chapters.
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At the 2019 State Fair, we had 1,124 FFA member exhibits from the Cattle Barn to the Horticulture Building, along with numerous other events and volunteers. There were numerous competitions at the State fair to the following members and chapters at the 2019 MN FFA Supreme Champions & Awards Program.
Tractor Driving Team – Randolph,
High Individual - Bruce Broudreau, Randolph
Dairy Judging Team – Tri-City United
High individual – Tyler Ratka, ROCORI
General Livestock Judging Team Champion – Pipestone Area
High Individual – Tyenna Muller, Pipestone Area
Landscape Design Team Champion – Buffalo
Ag Mechanics High Point Chapter – Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg
Best of Show Award – Charlie Haug, KMS
Crop Show High Point Chapter – Sleepy Eye
High Point Individual – Cassidy Hoffman, Sleepy Eye
Beef Herdsmanship Champion - Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg
Sheep Herdsmanship Champion - Sleepy Eye
Goats Herdsmanship Champion - Sleepy Eye
Swine Herdsmanship Champion - New Ulm
Dairy Herdsmanship Champion - St. James
Market Beef Champion Chapter - Alden-Conger
Market Swine Champion Chapter - Alden-Conger
Market Sheep Champion Chapter - United South Central
Market Goats Champion Chapter - Chatfield
Market Livestock Champion Chapter - Alden-Conger
Premier Beef Exhibitor Champion - Randolph
Premier Dairy Exhibitor Champion - Randolph
Premier Sheep Exhibitor Champion - Kenyon Wanamingo
Premier Swine Exhibitor Champion - Jackson County Central
Premier Goats Exhibitor Champion - Triton FFA
Douglas K. Baldwin Award Recipient - Madeline Patterson, Kenyon-Wanamingo
Overall Premier Exhibitor Award - Kenyon-Wanamingo
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This year saw 55 new volunteers at the CHS Miracle of Birth Center. They committed to at least 4 days of sharing their story in agriculture and take care of animals.
“I chose to volunteer at the CHS MOBC as this was a great opportunity for me to strengthen my communication skills by interacting with fairgoers and advocating for agriculture! I had an amazing time and learned lots of new skills and information while also making new friends along the way! I would highly recommend this experience to every FFA member!” – Emily Matejka – Martin County West FFA.
Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time!
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