Blog – Page 11 – Missouri FFA and Agriculture Education

Sep 23 2020

Rolling Over Roadblocks

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Santa Fe FFA member Jacob Dierking wins State Star Farmer after tackling the challenges of a beginning farmer.

Breaking into the industry as a young farmer comes with its challenges. Missouri FFA’s State

Star Farmer is all too familiar with the hurdles and roadblocks that must be overcome. Jacob

Dierking of the Santa Fe FFA Chapter started this journey through his Supervised Agricultural

Experience (SAE).

“In 2015, I was given an opportunity by two neighboring landowners to start farming, first with a 10-acre field and then another 19 acres on which I grew corn,” he says. “In 2016, I was able to rent 35 acres to grow corn. I also began a vegetable business growing 9 acres of sweet corn with my parents and brother.”

With his sights set on growth, Dierking had to choose between focusing on the row crop or vegetable production side of his business throughout the years that followed.

“In 2017, we expanded to growing 80 acres of sweet corn and 34 acres of green beans,” he says. “In 2018, a neighbor retired, and I was able to rent his farm to grow 83 acres of corn and 39 acres of soybeans. Since I was able to rent more land, I decided to scale back the vegetable production so I could properly manage my row crops. In 2019, another farmer retired, and I decided to sell the green bean equipment so I would have the money to invest in crop inputs.”

By 2019, Dierking was farming a total of 195 acres of corn, 111 acres of soybeans and 25 acres of sweet corn.

While his progress is evident, it wasn’t always easy. Dierking had to overcome many challenges, including one of the most prevalent among beginning farmers.

“One major challenge in my SAE was financially being able to purchase enough equipment to farm efficiently,” he says. “When I began my SAE, I was able to exchange my labor with my grandpa for the use of his machinery. Since then, I have been able to purchase many needed pieces of equipment.”

Overcoming roadblocks has empowered Dierking to pursue a career in production agriculture. After graduating from State Fair Community College, he plans to expand his row crop operation by obtaining more land to rent in the future.

Sep 23 2020

Goals for Growth

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Measurable goals help Hermann FFA’s Megan Schneider earn Missouri FFA State Star in Agribusiness.

Specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time oriented. While agricultural education students learn these components of SMART Goals in the classroom each year, Missouri FFA’s State Star in Agribusinesshas seen their effectiveness firsthand. Megan Schneiderof the Hermann FFA Chapterstarted her Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) with the decision to keep back her best show gilt and start a breeding operation to produce higher quality show pigs for the county fair.

“One gilt has now turned into roughly 35 sows, 45 laying hens and some beef cattle,” Schneider says. “We started out farrowing sows and selling some of the pigs to local kids to show at county fairs. However, there started to be excess pigs around the farm, so we decided to start selling whole and half pigs for people to butcher themselves.”

Schneider’s operation continued to grow, exposing the need for expansion and diversification.

“As my production increased, it started to exceed local demand, and I needed to expand my markets,” she says. “With the help of my family, the decision was made to start selling at farmers markets and other retail outlets. At the markets, I engage with customers and answer any questions they might have about my products.”

As her SAE evolved, so did Schneider’s goals.

“There have been many goals set for this SAE,” she says. “The first goal was to raise lean and high-quality pork to sell to our customers. Also, to ensure our pigs have high cutability, but, at the same time, they are able to have a high success rate in the show ring.”

With each goal she reached, Schneider set new, higher goals to encourage additional growth. Other goals set included expanding her number of sows to keep up with product demand and creating new flavors and products to retain current customers and attract new ones.

Schneider’s SAE growth has inspired her to pursue a career in the industry. She plans to attend East Central College in Union, Missouri before transferring to the University of Missouri with the goal of earning a masters degree in biochemistry. In addition to beginning a career in agriculture, Schneider hopes to continue the family farm to provide a premium protein product for families to enjoy.

by Brandelyn Martin Twellman

Sep 14 2020

What If

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Officer - Mackenzie Porter

“What if I don’t like it?”

These were my exact thoughts four years ago when I started my freshman year of high school as the “new kid.” The summer before my freshman year, my family moved to the town of Archie, Missouri. I was super excited to move and have the opportunity to join FFA, but I was also nervous to leave my old life, just to hopefully like what Archie had to offer.

As August rolled around, I started to dread the first day of school. What if I hated it? What if I wanted to move back?

Finally, the first day of school arrived. I remember going to most of my classes, but I’ll never forget the moment when I walked into my Introduction to Agriculture class. I was greeted by my advisor, who instantly started pestering me with questions about my life and why I had moved to Archie. He asked me why I joined FFA and what I hoped to get out of our organization. He talked about different opportunities within the organization.

I was hesitant at first. I was too scared of not liking Archie, and I was too nervous to absorb everything that he was saying. I let my what-if thoughts get the best of me, and I wasn’t too sure how my time in the FFA would progress. Of course, I later realized that FFA made me feel at home, but it took me a while to realize that, and I hadn’t been getting the most out of my class.

As you start this crazy school year, remember to always look on the bright side of things and be sure to get the most out of what you are doing. Whether this is your first year at a brand new school or you’ve been at the same school your entire life, I encourage you to give this year everything you have. Try something new, listen to your advisor, don’t be afraid to forget your what-if thoughts. When you do, great things are bound to happen.

Sep 14 2020

Winners Lose

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Officer - Felicity Cantrell

Waitlisted. My voice broke as I uddered this word to my mom and grandma as we stood in the bathroom where I was reading my long awaited acceptance letter. I, Felicity Cantrell was now waitlisted from my dream college. I had fallen just short of something I had worked so hard to achieve. I lost.

The news not only broke my heart because it was my dream, but it also hit home because I don’t like to lose.

I have always been extremely competitive and was typically successful when it came to achieving my goals. Whether it was getting varsity cheer captain or being elected to serve in various positions throughout my career in FFA, I usually met my goal.

There were obviously times when I wasn’t successful, but I always used that as fuel to motivate me to try harder the next time. This was different though; interviews were completed and the decision was final. I was not selected, and I was going to have to move on. The next couple of weeks were so hard; my confidence was shot. I referred to myself as a loser, and I was stuck in an awful rut. Then my ag teacher reminded me of a dream I had led myself to believe was unobtainable, being a Missouri State FFA Officer.

I had always dreamed of being a state officer; motivating students is my passion. However, I let my loss make me feel like I couldn’t. This one set back that was totally unrelated made me feel as if I wasn’t good enough.

FFA members, we all have setbacks, and that’s okay. We aren’t always going to be the winner and that is the simple truth we must accept. We will all fall from time to time, but we have to get back up and keep trying. It is in this process we find growth in ourselves.

Our losses are what make our wins so special. If we don’t ever lose, we won’t know how truly special it is to win.

National Finalists for 2020 National FFA Convention

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Agriscience Fair – 7 Finalists

Animal Systems – Division 4 – Shelbea Tosh/Mallory Templeton – Bolivar
Animal Systems – Division 6 – Josie Toombs/Jacob Toombs – Bolivar
Environ Services/NRS – Division 5 – Caroline Herigon – Boonville
Food Products – Division 4 – Audrey Langlotz/Nash McKenzie – Boonville
Food Products – Division 6 – Ashley Freiburger/Courtney Freiburger – Verona
Power, Structural, Technical Systems – Division 3 — Dakota Kuester – Boonville
Social Systems – Division 4 – Leah Crawmer/Jordan Hall – Troy

Proficiency Awards – National Finalists (9)

Diversified Crop Production – Entrepreneurship – Jacob Dierking, Santa Fe
Environmental Science /NRS Mgt. – Cory Word, Saxony Lutheran
Forest Management – Bryce Hixson, Neosho
Fruit Production – Ethan Hilgedick, Ashland
Service Learning – Grant Norfleet, Mexico
Specialty Crop Production – Cole Hammett, Ashland
Swine Production Entrepreneurship – Brylee Williams, Princeton
Swine Production Placement – Zachary Main, North Mercer
Wildlife Management – Amanda Belew, Ashland

National Chapter Awards

33 out of 33 chapters submitted are Three Star Chapters — Highest award for a chapter
Three Models of Excellence FFA Chapters – this is three out of the top 10 chapters in the nation
Ashland, Braymer, Troy
Premier Chapter: Building Communities Finalist – Ashland
Premier Chapter: Strengthening Agriculture Finalist – Audrain Co. R-VI

2020 Other Missouri FFA Tidbits

American Degree Recipients – announcement Mid-September
National Officer Candidate – Paxton Dahmer
4 Teachers receiving Honorary American Degree – Tonya Jedlicka, West Plains; John Kallash, Clopton; Randy Morris, Putnam Co.; Chad Murphy, Versailles
14 National Delegates

Sep 09 2020

River of Obstacles

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Officer - Ricanna Spargo

Birthdays around the Spargo house are always a celebration. My best friend and I have close birthdays, so we’ve established the tradition of going on float trips with our dads. For the past several years, our quartet has packed up and made the drive to Current River to float downstream.

This year was no different. The morning of July 31 st, I woke up to a sky full of clouds and a radar that called for an afternoon full of rain. Being stubborn, I insisted that the show must go on, despite the grim weather predictions. After the customary lunch of ribs and Texas toast, we gathered our tubes and piled into a van that would take us to our drop off point. We eventually realized the weather report was wrong. Although the UV was high and the current was strong, we were having the time of our lives.

But even on a good day, rivers will always present obstacles. Boats, other floaters, snakes, cows, rocks, fallen trees, debris, you name it and it can be found in the water. This year our quartet was faced with a unique set of challenges. We had a very strong current after a storm, and it was one of the busiest weekends of the summer. As we floated, the dads’ searched the area for any obstacles that could interject themselves into our path. On the busiest bend in the river, there was a fallen tree. With boats flying by, we struggled to move out of the way of the tree. Three of us managed to get out of the way, but my dad was moving on course to hit the tree. In one swift move, he flipped around and pushed off the tree, propelling himself in front of us. What was once an obstacle became a catapult to launch ahead.

Everyday there is a new obstacle in our path. As leaders in agriculture it is important we look at challenges from every angle. Instead of panicking over what we cannot do, let’s focus on what we can do instead. Michael Jordan is quoted saying, “Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.” Will you crash into the tree or will you flip around and push off the tree? The choice is yours.

Reaching for Research

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Eldon FFA member Destinie Tunis wins State Star in Agriscience while preparing for career success throughout her SAE.

Part of the National FFA Organization’s mission is to prepare students for career success. Whether it’s through participating in public speaking, holding a chapter office or attending a leadership conference, members have a multitude of opportunities to prepare for the future throughout their time in the organization. Missouri FFA’s State Star in Agriscience has chosen to prepare for her future through her Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE). Destinie Tunis of the Eldon FFA Chapter has conducted three agriscience research projects relating to either human or animal health.

“For my sophomore year science research project, I was testing Mus musculus (Mice) to see if certain prenatal diets affect the weight of offspring as they age,” Tunis says. “Last year for my

research project, I tested Gromphadorhina portentosa (Madagascar hissing cockroach) to see if 1550 Borate Glass would reduce scarring and increase the rate of healing time in thermal injuries. For this year’s project, I am testing the antimicrobial effects of various animals’ saliva to see if it can be used as an alternative treatment for antibiotic resistant bacteria.”

Like most students, Tunis has experienced challenges throughout her SAE. These roadblocks serve as real-life learning opportunities requiring real-life solutions. This year, one challenge was access to the saliva she was hoping to test.

“Because of the rules and guidelines that I follow, I could not obtain the (saliva) samples myself,” she says. “I contacted Dr. Kathy at the Lake Pet Hospital in Eldon and asked for assistance. She could collect the saliva samples for me during regular and safe procedures performed by her and her staff, but because working with larger animals doesn’t happen very often for her, I was lucky to have been able to get saliva samples from a horse, pig and cow.”

In addition to overcoming challenges, one of the goals Tunis set for her SAE was to turn her research projects into a future career. She is on track to do just that.

Currently in the process of becoming a member of the U.S Army Reserve, Tunis plans to go to Basic Training. She also plans to attend college to major in biomedical sciences and earn her PhD in Science for both health and medicine and STEM. Her career goal is to continue medical research to benefit both humans and animals.

-by Brandelyn Martin Twellman

Hands-On Approach

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Bowling Green FFA’s Clint Bailey earns State Star in Agricultural Placement as hands-on learning grows his SAE.

Doing to Learn. These three words make up the second line of the FFA motto, the goal of a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) and the definition of Missouri FFA’s State Star in Agricultural Placement’s dedication to growth in his SAE.

Clint Bailey of the Bowling Green FFA Chapter started his placement SAE at Bowling Green Veterinary Clinic walking dogs, cleaning kennels and providing animals with proper food and water. These tasks, while important and necessary to daily operations at the clinic, represent the start of a journey filled with learning and growth. ICC_PROFILEpADBEprtrCMYKLab –)5acspAPPLADBEˆ÷”-ADBE desc¸tcprtp+wtptA2B0∞¢A2B2∞¢A2B1£∏¢B2A0E¿8¥B2A1~t8¥B2A2∑(8¥gamtÔ‹descU.S. Web Coated (SWOP) v2textCopyright 2000 Adobe Systems, Inc.XYZ µZºg0mft2$⁄iŸ 6« ˇ1^∑‚2Wyµ“Ô%Y !≤"⁄#ˇ%#&D'f()ß*«+Ë-.(/H0i12¶3¬4ﬁ5˚7

After gaining experience at the vet clinic, Bailey’s responsibilities began to increase. He started assisting the lead veterinarian at the local sale barn, the Eastern Missouri Commission Company, and assisting on large animal farm calls.

“My roles and responsibilities have changed in the veterinary science placement area,” Bailey says. “After working at the clinic for two months, I was given a promotion to help assist Dr. David Cerven in providing services at the Eastern Missouri Commission Company. My responsibilities include working the cattle chute, tagging calves, giving implants, aging cows, working the hot shot, penning cattle and holding the tails of bulls for the doctors to castrate.”

Bailey says this increase in responsibility has given him a more accurate glimpse into the life of a large animal veterinarian.

“The responsibilities at the sale barn have introduced me to an environment that is similar to a full time career as a veterinarian, since most veterinarians are called to farms to work livestock such as cattle, goats, sheep and hogs,” he explains.

This time spent “doing to learn” at the Bowling Green Veterinary Clinic has helped shape Bailey’s future career goals. He plans to attend the University of Missouri (MU) to obtain a degree in Animal Science. Upon graduation, he hopes to attend the MU College of Veterinary Medicine.

Bailey’s goal is to return to his hometown to apply for a position as a large animal veterinarian at the Bowling Green Veterinary Clinic. While working as a veterinarian, he plans on continuing to help operate his family’s commercial beef cattle operation in the future.

-by Brandelyn Martin Twellman

Shaken Faith

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Officer - Madison Moll

Faith. To me, faith is believing in things that are not always visible. Today when we look around it’s easy to believe what we see. What we see is hate, arguing and a lack of humanity. When we see these things, we can’t deny the fact that they are there, but we have to ask ourselves about all the good that we can’t see.

Toward the end of July, our state officer team joined our peers from across the nation online for the Virtual State Officer Summit. In four days, we were able to connect with and develop friendships with other state officers from all across the United States.

On the third day of my small group, we had an especially impactful conversation. We discussed the idea of looking past stereotypes and preconceived notions of those we meet and really getting to know people for who they are. We talked about how the majority of the time we decide to make our judgments of others based on what we don’t have in common rather than everything we do have in common. It is human nature to look at those around us and come up with judgments and assumptions, but we decide what to do with those judgments. Are we going to use them to assume we know all we need to about the other person, or will we disregard them and decide to actually get to know the person? You see, any time we meet someone we perceive as different than ourselves we have that choice. We have the chance to not succumb to our judgments, assumptions or stereotypes and find a way to connect with that person. Imagine if all those arguing in the world found just one thing they have in common. Maybe the picture in front of us would look a little bit different right now.

At some point in your lives, your faith will be shaken — whether that is the faith we have in ourselves, in the good Lord, or in our fellow human beings. What matters is that we don’t just look at what is put in front of us. I was lucky enough to be shown directly in my small group just how many people still believe finding commonalities is more important than finding differences. I was shown that even with all the arguing and disagreements going on today, there are still so many who see that that is not the way to go. They reminded me that no matter how much hate we are shown in the world, there will always be more good. These days we need just that. We need to show people just how much good we have in our world. We need to always find things we have in common with those we meet while paying no mind to the differences. I challenge you to do these things not just throughout the year, but throughout your lives, and to always keep your faith even when it becomes shaken.

Vision 2020: Missouri FFA Unveils New Communication Plan

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Vision 2020 Graphic

After months of discussion and planning, Missouri FFA is excited to announce its new Vision 2020 Communication Plan.

Vision 2020 is a culmination of multiple media platforms including print, digital and video. Joann Pipkin, who has worked with Missouri FFA in a variety of communication capacities since 1996, serves as Missouri FFA’s director of communications. Former Missouri FFA State Secretary Brandelyn Martin Twellman is social media manager. Current Missouri FFA Mentor Kensi Darst joins the team as social media coordinator. And, Lacy Short, continues in her role as webmaster.

The new communication program officially kicks off in September with the Missouri Agricultural Education and FFA annual report. The printed coffee table-type publication will be distributed to chapters and program supporters across the state.

Beginning in October, the first digital newsletter will be published. Patterned after the Missouri FFA Today insert, which was previously distributed through National FFA’s New Horizons magazine, the bi-monthly publication will feature member- and chapter-driven content. In addition, Missouri FFA will continue its monthly eNewsletter, delivered through email to members across the state.

Highlighting the digital portion of Missouri FFA’s news communication protocol will be a stepped-up social media strategy. Members and supporters are encouraged to follow Missouri FFA on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. The communication team will work to bring Missouri agricultural education and FFA programs full circle with the organization’s website, missouriffa.org, servicing as the hub for everything Missouri FFA!

New to Missouri FFA’s communication strategy is a video component. Communication team members are developing a variety of visual content for agricultural education students including leadership development and SAE-based learning opportunities.

FFA members, agricultural education instructors and organization supporters are encouraged to get involved and submit their story ideas! Email them to [email protected] or [email protected].

Show Me Summit Leadership Experience Launched

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Show-Me Summit

As I reflect back on my FFA journey, I realize that the most significant personal growth and leadership development I experienced happened at Missouri’s State Leadership Camp at Camp Rising Sun in the summer heat. Just a few months ago, I was preparing to meet more than 1,200 FFA members at the Lake of the Ozarks for the opportunity to help them grow while spending time in the Rec Hall, playing volleyball, and swimming at the waterfront. I was heartbroken when I heard about the cancellation of Missouri FFA Camp in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, but I knew there was still work to be done to help FFA members develop those skills in leadership, teamwork and strategic thinking.

After countless hours of brainstorming and bouncing ideas off of FFA members, advisors, state officers and state staff, we created the Show-Me Summit: Missouri FFA’s Virtual Leadership Experience. Through the Show-Me Summit, FFA members across the state have the opportunity to interact with State FFA Officers and gain foundational leadership skills that will propel them towards success in the Missouri FFA Association and beyond.

Show-Me Summitis made up of six core leadership development workshops hosted by the 2020-2021 Missouri State FFA Officer Team on concepts like individuality, intentional leadership, teamwork, taking action, Missouri agriculture, and grit and resilience. These topics encapsulate the overarching concepts taught in the elective leadership sessions that typically happen at FFA Camp in the summer.

In addition to the six core leadership workshops, there are four supplemental modules: Don Koonce’s Speaker Series, the Missouri Agriculture module, the Living to Serve Project, and Teacher Resources, all designed to give students (and advisors!) a well-rounded leadership development experience from anywhere. For FFA members interested in earning their State Leadership Medal, the Living to Serve Project requires them to put those concepts they’ve learned throughout the Show-Me Summitinto action by performing some kind of community service activity and completing an application for consideration. Additionally, if participants complete the checklist featured in the Living to Serve module, they can list Show-Me Summitas a state activity on Missouri FFA award applications.

Workshops and supplemental modules are being released in phases beginning this month! Stay tuned for announcements on Missouri FFA’s social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can learn more about and participate in the Show Me Summit online at https://missouriffa.org/show-me-summit/. Questions can be directed to [email protected].

Your Impact on the World

2020-21 Officers

Officer - Kaylee Lower

Two weeks into quarantine and social distancing, an idea popped into my head but I wasn’t sure how I was going to carry out the plan with so much uncertainty in the world.

On April 4, 2020, I sent a text message that read, “Hello, I am Kaylee Lower, a senior at Weaubleau High School. I was wanting to get in contact with an individual about making cards for all of the nursing home residents.” Little did I know that the text message I sent would have such a positive impact on the lives of nursing home residents.

As you go through your journey, I challenge you to do the little things in life because they are the ones that mean the most. Even when you think something is not going to make a difference, to some people, like the nursing home residents, it makes the biggest difference. Don’t be afraid to take part in the small, seemingly insignificant moments because those are the ones that are remembered the most. No matter how big or small, as FFA members we all have the capability to make a positive difference in our homes and communities.

I never imagined a handmade card would make nursing home residents smile so big until I made 100 of them for the residents at Northwood Hills Care Center. It’s the little things like hand made cards that these individuals will treasure forever.

Thinking back on April 4th, I was upset because I wasn’t able to finish my final year of high school or go to my last FFA contest, but then I began to consider a different perspective. We were all facing challenging and uncertain times; it’s how we choose to spend those times and the perspectives we have that make the greatest impact.

You have the choice to find good in the world or look straight past the good to stare at all the negativity. I challenge you to see the good and make a difference in your FFA chapter, home and community. Do the little things that mean the most and see the good in the world. Together they will leave a lifelong impact on those around you.

How are you going to find the good and make a positive impact on the world?

What If

Winners Lose

River of Obstacles

Due to the unprecedented times in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, Missouri FFA in partnership with Missouri Farmers Care Drive to Feed Kids is offering chapters an opportunity to take part in a $300 matching mini-grant.

The goal of the Chapter Mini-Grants is to provide FFA chapters a Living to Serve opportunity to address food insecurity needs or awareness. This is a one-time only opportunity.

Shaken Faith

Your Impact on the World

Embracing Vulnerability: Finding Strength Through Struggles

What’s Your Brand?

Finding Success Where You Are

Love Your People

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