Iowa FFA Today - FFA Week 2013

National Convention HighlightsPage Six

State Officer Q & APage Twelve

Vo. 1 | Issue 3 | FFA Week Published by the Iowa FFA Association | February 2013

On the CoverGovernor Branstad & Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds Sign FFA Week Proclamation!

Iowa FFAToday

2 | Iowa FFA Today FFA Week

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Volume 1 | Edition 3The official magazine of the Iowa FFA Association.

2012-13 Iowa FFA OfficersPresident STEVEN BROCKSHUSSecretary MATT HEFTIReporter CASSIE GALMSW State Vice President MARSHALL DOLCHSE State Vice President HEIDI ANDRESENNC State Vice President THERESA FITZGERALDSC State Vice President MICHAEL KNIGHTNW State Vice President JOSH EARLLNE State Vice President NOLAN ZUMBACH

Iowa FFA StaffExecutive Secretary MR. SCOTT JOHNSONState Advisor MR. DALE GRUIS

Southwest District OfficersPresident MARSHALL DOLCHVice President JARED CALVERTSecretary MICHAEL WITTROCKTreasurer MIKAYLA DOLCHReporter EMILY SEIDLSentinel TYLER JOHANNSENAdvisor MR. EVAN BABCOCK

Southeast District OfficersPresident HEIDI ANDRESENNE Vice President JACOB REISTROFFERS Vice President MIKE POGGEMILLERNW Vice President ALEX SHADLEYSecretary KAYLA BECKMENReporter DAKOTA OLSONTreasurer ZEB FISHERAdvisor MS. KRISTEN FLANDER

North Central District OfficersPresident THERESA FITZGERALDVice President TREY FORSYTHSecretary JOHN MAUBACHTreasurer BEN WEISReporter OLIVIA BISBEESentinel EMMA WHITEAdvisor ANDY JOHNSON

South Central District OfficersPresident MICHAEL KNIGHTVice President KENTON LAINSecretary STORMY BAKERTreasurer SYDNEY WEISReporter BECCA REBARCAKSentinel JAMES LEONARDAdvisor MR. CHARLIE FITZGERALD

Northwest District OfficersPresident JOSH EARLLVice President EVAN HENNINGSENSecretary REBECCA LAIRTreasurer TYREL BENNETTReporter DYLAN BROCKSHUSSentinel BRAD PICKHINKEAdvisor MR. CLYDE JOHNSON

Northeast District OfficersPresident NOLAN ZUMBACHSecretary NATALIE HANSONReporter DUSTIN SMITHSW Vice President ABRAH MEYERSE Vice President MEGAN RAUENNE Vice President DERRICK PERKINSNW Vice President TONY MOELLERSAdvisor MS. MEGHAN CRILLY

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Want to be featured in the nextIOWA FFA TODAY!?Send us a picture of you and your FAVORITE FFA memory from the 2012-2013 school year. Another way to get in here is to send a TWEET with the hashtag #iaffa13 telling the world what you’re doing & what you love about the FFA! Hopefully we’ll see YOUR face in the next Iowa FFA Today!

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The Iowa FFA Today is now ONLINE! Go to www.iowaffa.com to see all past issues of the Iowa FFA Today!

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CONTENT

4 #FFAconv12What’s the chatter about this year’s National Conven-tion?

10 Conferences212°/360° and the first ever Discov-ery Conference were held back in November. See what attendees are saying!

15 Ideas for Your ChapterLooking for some-thing to spice-up your chapter’s meetings and events. Check out these tips!

6 National ConventionThe details about the 85th National FFA Con-vention that was held in Indiapolis, IN in October.

12 State Officer Q & AEver wondered what runs through the mind of a state officer? Get to meet your 2012-2013 state officer team through this fun question and answer section!

16 Legislative Symposium & FFA Day @ the Capitol More than 150 FFA mem-bers flooded our state’s Capitol in Des Moines to share the story of agricul-tural education and FFA!

CONTENTS5 FFA WeekWhat are chap-ters around the state doing in celebration of FFA Week? Check it out!

14 Chapter VisitsHas a state or dis-trict officer ever come to your school? Check out this mem-ber’s experience!

18 Back CoverDid you watch the Super Bowl? If not, search You-Tube for ‘So God Made a Farmer.’ Thanks Ram for your support of FFA! To the farmer in all of us...

FEATURES

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@EastenLovelace “You do not win an American FFA Degree... You earn it by doing, learning, living and serving!”

Alisha Link CHAPTER: Reno-Smith FFA

“Meeting FFA Members from all fifty states!”

@DSMFFA “Watching #ffaconv12 live in the #DSM @ Central Campus Horticulture & AnimalScience Lab “

What was your favorite part about National Convention this year?

FFA FACES

FFA WEEKFEBRUARY 16 - 23, 2013

Tiff Reese CHAPTER: Laurens-Marathon FFA

“Meeting everyone from differ ent states and the different voices in the chorus! It was a

blast and I really loved listening to the speakers!“

Logan Elkin CHAPTER: Belmond-Klemme FFA

“Meeting new people and going to the career show!”

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Bobbi Fogle CHAPTER: Oskaloosa FFA

“Seeing all the Blue Jackets in one place!”

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www.iowaffa.com | 5

FFA WEEKFEBRUARY 16 - 23, 2013

FFA WEEK

It seemed like a pretty normal day for a Monday, until I pulled into the school parking lot. That was when things got strange. Of course, it always seems to work that way, but the feeling of ‘normal’ typically doesn’t go away until you walk INTO the High School.

For some odd reason there were about 15 tractors lined up on the side of the lot that I normally park my car. All different sizes, colors, and ages; I was in the middle of trying to figure out if they all actually ran when one of my classmates knocked on the window, snapping me out of my mind babble. As I opened the door and climbed out he asked, “Can you come take a picture of the FFA Chapter?” When I said, “Sure, but where?” He just laughed and pointed at the tractors.

While we walked over he explained that it was FFA Week. In celebration the chapter got permission to drive tractors to school and they’re going to have ‘dress up’ days all week! Before climbing into the seat of his tractor he said, “We are having Ag Olympics too! There has to be an even number of girls and boys on the team, and we are one girl short, do you think you could stack bales?” I think this is going to be a good week…

SHAREYOUR STORYCHAPTER CHALLENGE

Challenge 1) Make your own Ag/FFA Harlem Shake Video & post it on YouTube! Challenge 2) Shoot an HD Convention Pre-Session ‘PUMP-UP’ video & post it on YouTube by March 1st!Final Step) Send the link to [email protected]!


NATIONALFFABack in high school there was a huge

wrestling invite held in our gym every year, and one thing that has always stuck in my mind from that meet was the saying that the Cheerleaders put on posters and taped across the gym bal-cony. “I’ve never seen a greater sight on a Basketball court then Wrestling mats from wall to wall.” This was the quote that came to mind when walking down FFA Way in Indianapolis, Indiana just a few weeks ago. Instead of wrestling mats there were FFA Jackets that filled the street and on the Skywalk. There was our own sign marking what had in-vaded the city, just like the Cheerlead-

105 AMERICANDEGREES

ers had put up for the wrestlers. The National FFA Convention is such

a shock to Indianapolis each year, but they are more than happy to invite us back. I mean they Named a Street after us! Why would they do this you ask? Because of what the FFA organiza-tion represents and HOW its members present themselves. If you ask any one of the state officers, they would agree that it truly is a storm when the members finally start moving in. The thrill to see chapters and members that we know, the shrieks of laughter and AAAAAAAEH’s that echo like thunder off the buildings, and the speed, the

speed at which we enter the city and leave. The only things marking our path are the signs that were put up a day or two before we came and are now being taken down to be stored for another year.

There is so much that goes into the convention that it is absolutely amazing! One of the national officers, when asked how planning had gone for this year, said, “Great! National FFA is already working on planning 2015 National Convention.” Wow! That was a shock for everyone listening, but sitting back and thinking, it makes sense. For those of us that have been to a National Convention, we can add up everything that we had seen and experienced. It is obvious that does not happen overnight. For those of you that haven’t been able to attend a National Convention, I’ll give you a little taste of what to expect.

Imagine this. Your advisor has been talking about going to Indianapolis

www.iowaffa.com | 7

CONVENTIONFFAsince the beginning of the school year and now says that you have to fill out an application and keep your grades up for you to be able to attend. You and 7 other members from your chapter are able to go! But now you have to decide if you are going to fly, drive a van, or take a charter bus with other chapters down. You have the permission slip signed by your parents, make up work is all done and you have some new, spiffy, collared white shirts to go with your national blue and corn gold corduroy jacket, an essential for this trip; along with some fruit snacks, chips and, of course, Mountain Dew. You finally arrive to the “big city” and, while looking out the window of your vehicle, you see blue signs lining the streets that say, “Welcome to Indy FFA!” You and your fellow chapter members are so excited to get to the hotel and unpack for a few days of fun and no school work, oh and a little food would be nice too! Walking into the lobby, there are other chapters from wall to wall. The next morning, after a short-nights rest, you make you way to the 1st Session. You thought you left the hotel early, but while walking you don’t even have to look at street signs because of the endless sea of FFA Jack-ets. Your advisor has given you a ticket, 2 security checks and a billion stairs later you are sitting in the stadium.

The lights are off, except for the ones on stage. The music is so loud you can hardly hear what your best friend

sitting next to you is saying. Then, it goes completely dark. You hear something and notice smoke filling the air, like a foggy April morning. Then, the laser show begins. Down on the floor members have made a tunnel and on the big screens the “Grow” video is shown. Then, with a rush of excitement, the national officers are introduced and run up on stage to their positions to do opening ceremonies. Dur-

ing that session we had National Officer Reflections, Open-ing Ceremony Welcome by Ryan Best, the National FFA President, the Band and Chorus grand entry, a challenge to join in “Feeding the World,” as well as a keynote address from Scott Hamilton.

For those of you who don’t know who Scott Hamilton is, don’t worry, a lot of the people at convention didn’t either, but I strongly encourage you to YouTube him and you might be surprised by what you see. As a child Hamilton

“Then, with a rush of excit-ment, the national officers are introduced and run up on stage to their positions.”


NATIONAL FFA CONVENTION

was very sick and could hardly walk. He then took up ice skating and eventually went on to skate in the Olympics and won the US a gold medal. Granted, he is much older now and likes to joke about how he collects deadly diseases, his story and messages are still strong and inspiring. The inspiration of all the keynote speakers that were at convention was impactful. They ranged from a professional basketball player to a past national officer.

After the session, you and your chapter walk down FFA Way to the other event building and attend the Career Expo, where there are more than 450 ex-hibitors! From trucks and seed, to wildlife and jerky, nearly every company that has their foot somewhere in the agricultural community is there. You get bored of walking around and start searching for some inspiration for your contest this upcoming spring. You go support your state at one of the many leader-ship CDE’s such as Creed, Public, or Extemporaneous speaking or Conduct of Meetings that are being held!

There are innumerable things you can do at Na-tional Convention. Don’t forget the rodeo, Brantley Gilbert concert, hypnotist, dance, talent shows and all of the awesome tours that were offered this year! Now don’t fret, even though you weren’t able to go doesn’t mean anything; even if you were a senior. There is always next year at Louisville, Kentucky and to you seniors that never went in high school, apply for your American Degree! Then you will be able to walk across the stage and receive the highest honor possible with in the FFA organization.

FFA has touched many lives across the nation, and now with the ‘Feed the Hungry’ movement, across the world. Just like the cheerleaders hanging the banner across the gym balcony, we have our own “cheerleaders;” whether they are our parents, teach-ers, advisors, officers at all levels or local business owners; they are hanging banners for us and cheer-ing us on at every turn. All you have to do is set a goal and reach for it. Good luck and I hope to see you at the 85th Iowa FFA Leadership Conference this com-ing April in Ames! For more highlights from National Convention go to www.FFA.org and click the Events tab.

~Cassie GalmState Reporter

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CONFERENCES

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CONFERENCES

The quality of

people I met there

and the things I

have learned are

intangible.

What is the FFA Enrichment Center?All of these conferences were hosted at the FFA Enrich-ment Center in Ankeny, Iowa.

Designed to promote leader-ship development, personal growth and career success for both high school and college-age Iowa youth, the FFA Enrichment Center has unique tools and resources to enhance the educational experience. The FFA Enrich-ment Center opened on April 17, 2010.

The FFA Enrichment Center hosts many conferences, leadership retreats and train-ings throughout the year.

To book a chapter retreat, contact [email protected].

lieve in! The individual change for me is unbelievable! Here I am today pusuing a leadership position in FFA, all because of attending 360°!”

Discovery Conference• 7th & 8th Graders• FFA Enrichment Center• Agriculture, farming & FFA

On November 17th, the first-ever Iowa FFA Discov-ery Conference was held. This event hosted more than 100 7th and 8th grade students from around the state for a day filled with learning, fun and madness!

With more than 500 middle school FFA members in Iowa, there is an effort to

increase opportunities for our younger members. Experiences already availible for middle school FFA members are: Discovery Conference at the FFA Enrich-ment Center in November, Discovery Conference in conjunction with the State Leadership Conference in April and exhibiting projects and livestock at the Iowa State Fair.

212° Leadership Conference• 9th & 10th Graders• FFA Enrichment Center• Virtues, passions, character

“212° Leadership Conference was an awesome event because we learned about leadership and met many new people! We learned a lot about opportu-nities in FFA.”

360° Leadership Conference• 11th & 12th Graders• FFA Enrichment Center• Vision

“Prior to attending the 360° Leadership Confer-ence, I knew virtually nothing about leader-ship. After attending 360°, my life has been forever changed. The quality of people I met there and the things I have learned are intangible.

Through attending 360°, I have changed myself by bettering my individual lead-ership skills and abilities. I’m no longer afraid to stand up for the things I be-

What’s YOUR Conference?- 212°- 360°- Discovery


Marshall: There were times throughout high school when my level ofconfidence would drop, because I didn’t think I was good enough. Whether that was in the classroom, on the court, or for other people - I didn’t believe in myself. But that’s where it starts. Hold your head high and be proud of who you are.

What has this year meant to you?

Steven: Oh boy, this year has meant fear of the un-known, faith in the bigger picture and friendships that will last forever.

FFA STATE OFFICER Q&A

GET TO KNOW YOUR STATE FFA OFFICERS

Steven BrockshusIowa FFA PresidentSteven comes from a 5th generation family dairy farm by Sibley. He hopes to travel internationally, developing agriculture in foreign countries.

Matt HeftiIowa FFA SecretaryA husker fan at heart - Matt is originally from Nebraska. He enjoys reading, socializing and playing sports. Matt is from the CAL FFA Chapter by Dows.

Cassie GalmIowa FFA ReporterA golfer at Iowa Lakes Community Col-lege and people person, Cassie is from Spencer. She has shown hogs, goats, sheep, flying mallards and broilers.

What do you wish you could say to your 15-year-old-self?

Heidi: I wish I could have told myself that I am good enough. There is no such thing as average. Everyone has their own strengths and weakness which is what makes us who we are.

Michael: If I could say some-thing to my awkward 15 year old self, it would be plain and simple. “Keep on doing what you’re doing big guy.” I don’t regret a single thing that I did in my four years of high school FFA.

Cassie: Don’t let the little things stress you, everything happens for a reason.

Q

Q

See Your 2013-2014 State FFA Officers Elected in April!


Josh: It has meant the world to me! It has been an indescribable experience and I would most definite-ly do it again! I have loved every second of it.

Marshall: If I were to sum this year up in one word, it would be incredible. It has been an honor to serve an organization that provides our nation’s youth with many opportunities. For that, I am blessed.

Marshall DolchSouthwest State Vice PresidentCorn-fed naitive from his family’s farm by Villisca. Marshall played basketball at Grandview University before transfer-ring to ISU for Ag Communications.

Heidi AndresenSoutheast State Vice PresidentAvid horse lover and crazy singer, Heidi hails from DeWitt. She enjoys testing her comfort zone and challenging oth-ers to do the same!

Theresa FitzgeraldNorth Central State Vice PresidentThis ISU fan wants to work for an agricultural commodity group doing communication & producer-education outreach. Theresa is from Boone, Iowa.

Michael KnightSouth Central State Vice PresidentFuture farm owner and agricultural education teacher, Michael grew up outside of Alleman. He know’s how to work hard & bring a smile to your face.

Josh EarllNorthwest State Vice PresidentJosh has his eyes set on becoming the next professional auctioneer, realtor and appraiser in Sibley. This summer he will coach baseball back home.

Nolan ZumbachNortheast State Vice PresidentSinger, wrestler and video-camera fanatic, Nolan plans on becoming an agricultural education teacher. He grew up on a farm outside of Ryan.

Michael: All those long nights, early mornings and being completely exhausted don’t even compare to the feeling of sitting down and making those per-sonal connections with members.

What is your best advice for members?

Cassie: Never give up on a project. Also, if you never ask about something you will never learn anything!

Steven: Value people for who they are. Always be there for them. Going from school to school, it’s humbling to see how many hurting people simply need someone to talk with. Talk with those around you.

Heidi: Get involved! I was told my freshman year of high school this, “If you can’t find something in FFA you’re interested in, you’re not looking hard enough.”

Josh: Find something you love doing and fly with it. At times we get so caught up with listening to others and what they think we should do. Just be you!

Marshall: WORK HARD. Nothing worthwhile comeseasy. We must surround ourselves with the dreamers and doers, the believers and thinkers, but most of all; with those who see greatness within us, even when we don’t see it in ourselves.

FFA STATE OFFICER Q&A

Q

“It was never about being good enough, it is never about being the best, it is about doing YOUR best.”


JUST ANOTHERSCHOOL DAY

CHAPTER VISITS

I was at a high school one day and it was just like any other chapter visit. The chapter officer team had a rock-star discussion about the strug-gles and successes of their year, the Ag Instructor showed me around their school’s facilities and we were having a blast in the classroom with all of the Ag students. Fourth period came and there was a girl in the back of the room that was wearing a black sweatshirt. I never learned this girl’s name, she didn’t really stick out to me and I hardly even talked with her.

I don’t remember what activity we were doing, but I do recall standing in a circle. We were having a group discussion and this girl in the sweat-shirt offered up some well-put thoughts. Everyone shuffled around a bit and gave her an alien look, like something strange had happened. I was slightly confused, but thought nothing of it. The rest of the day was full of workshops on Ag Issues, Agvocacy (Agriculture + Advocacy), Teamwork and Communication. After a full day, I was getting the room put back together when the Ag Instructor came up to me and said, “You re-

member that girl in the black sweatshirt from fourth period?” I had to think a little bit, but I remembered. “She hasn’t said more than three words all year,” the teacher replied. I thought to myself, “What was it that we were doing? What prompted that girl to talk more today than she has all year?” Then I realized, it wasn’t anything that I had done specifically. It was the thought-provoking atmosphere that the students in the room created. I realized that a chapter visit is more than a day filled with high-energy workshops with meaningless first-impressions. A chapter visit creates a comfortable, low-risk zone that provokes the students’ minds to think deeper than the sur-face-level. There are nine state officers and thirty-two district officers in Iowa that were elected to serve YOU. Invite them into your school for a day. Chal-lenge yourself, your classmates and your chapter to think beyond the surface. To request a chapter visit, go to www.iowaffa.com/chaptervisit.aspx.

~Steven BrockshusState President


IDEAS FOR YOUR CHAPTER

Try This With Your Chapter

Objective: Successfully be the first team to make it from start line, around the cone and back without breaking the saran wrap. (You may add stipulations so no one can grab onto the saran wrap.)

Materials: Saran wrap and cone.

Procedure: Break your group up into teams of 6-15 people. Have someone saran wrap your team together. Take 3 minutes to plan out a strategy. “On your marks, get set, GO!”

SARAN RUN

Lessons Learned: Teamwork is essential. Com-munication is key. Saran wrap is fun!

Looking for a Banquet Speaker?

Request a State Officer!“The troops have been trained and are ready to head out!” Throughout the year, the state officer team has gone through training and are prepared to help serve dinner, hang out with members and give a keynote address at your chapter’s banquet! The catch? There is none, as long as there are members present and it is fun!

Although the year is coming to a close and a new team will be elected in April, that doesn’t mean these officers end their time serving you! Invite them in to share their FFA experi ences, what they wish they knew as a Freshman in High School and so much more! To request a State Officer to speak at your banquet, go to www.iowaffa.com/officers.aspx to find their e-mails!

Iowa FFA Association1055 SW Prairie Trail Parkway

Ankeny, Iowa 20023www.iowaffa.com

The FFA Mission: FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potentialfor premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

The Agricultural Education Mission: Agricultural education prepares students for successful careersand a lifetime of informed choices in the global agriculture, food, fiber and natural resources systems.

Premier LeadershipPersonal GrowthCareer Success


Making a difference, students visit with legislators, skills learned in the classroom applied in a world where citizenship is essential.

On January 20, 2013, 146 high school students wearing blue corduroy flooded the Iowa State Capitol Building in Des Moines. The students visited with legislators, exhibited skills learned in the agriculture classroom and learned the importance of citizenship. This was all part of the 28th Annual Iowa FFA Legis-lative Symposium and FFA Day at the Capitol that more than 45 FFA chapters attended.

During the morning, FFA members had the opportunity to hear from leaders in the agriculture industry at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Bill Northey, addressed the stu-dents concerning the future of Iowa’s agriculture and the importance of being involved with statewide issues. Matt Steinfeldt, policy adviser for Iowa Farm Bureau, discussed the legislative process and some of the legislative issues that will be impacting agriculture in 2013. The FFA members also heard remarks from Governor Terry Branstad and Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds about the importance young agricultural-ists can play in the legislative process. Governor Branstad signed the FFA Week Proclamation, declaring


LEGISLATIVE SYMPOSIUM & FFA DAY AT THE CAPITOL

February 16-23, the week of President George Washington’s birthday, FFA Week in Iowa.

Agricultural Education is Making a Difference.

The Iowa FFA Officer team reviewed the Iowa FFA Annual Report with the members. The FFA Annual Report has information regarding the more than 16,000 high school agricultural education students and 13,000 FFA members in Iowa. Highlights of the annual report include:

FFA members score 1-3% higher on ITBS/ITEDS in the science proficiency.

Student agricultural career experience earnings and hours are at an all time high.

STEM Grants totalling $883,000 are awarded by the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council to Iowa high school Agricultural Education programs to enrich education of science, technology, careers and math.

Thank you to Iowa Farm Bureau for making this event possible!~Theresa Fitzgerald

North Central State Vice President

Iowa FFA AssociationFFA Enrichment Center1055 SW Prairie Trail ParkwayAnkeny, Iowa 50023

Iowa FFA Today - FFA Week 2013

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