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Missouri FFA to Honor Andrew McCrea

This year, the Missouri FFA Association is pleased to recognize Mr. Andrew McCrea for his service to agricultural education and the Missouri FFA.

Andrew McCrea is a farmer and rancher, an award-winning radio and tv broadcaster and a nationally-recognized speaker. He is the host of the nationally-broadcast radio feature, The American Countryside, a program that has won five Oscars for rural and agricultural broadcasting. McCrea has interviewed hall of fame sports stars, Emmy and Grammy winners and even been body slammed by professional wrestlers! His broadcasting work has taken him to all 50 states and six continents to interview thousands of guests for his program. The American Countryside is unique in broadcasting because all of the interviews are done on location. His broadcasts are heard daily on nearly 100 radio stations and Sirius XM satellite radio. The television version of the show is a regular feature on U.S. Farm Report.

In addition to McCrea’s broadcasting duties, he continues to own and manage the farm and ranch where he was born and raised. McCrea Farms operates nearly 4,000 acres of crop and pastureland in northwest Missouri raising corn, soybeans and beef cattle. A past chairman of the Missouri Beef Industry Council and representative to the U.S. Meat Export Federation, McCrea remains active in a number of agricultural groups, both as a participant and as a frequent speaker.

McCrea’s past is rooted in Missouri FFA, beginning with the King City FFA Chapter in the late 1980’s. He served as the 1991-92 Missouri State FFA President and 1993-94 National FFA Secretary. He also worked as a trainer for National FFA from 1995-2005 and continues to assist the organization with national officer training and behind-the-scenes work at National FFA Convention. Since 1996, McCrea has conducted Missouri FFA State Officer Training, in addition to working with state officers in Illinois and Arizona. He is the Missouri State FFA Convention manager and is the director of both Area Officer Institute and Public Speaking Institute. McCrea has received the chapter, state and American Honorary FFA Degrees.

McCrea and wife Paula, along with children Luke and Allison, reside near Maysville, Missouri, where they are the fifth and sixth generations to operate the family farm. He’s quick to credit his VERY supportive wife, kids and father who handle the chores at home while he travels.

The Missouri FFA extends a special thank you to Andrew McCrea for his many years of service to agricultural education and the Missouri FFA.

Missouri and Kansas FFA Chapters Donate Over 4,400 Items in Western Farm Show Food Drive

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FFA students from Missouri and Kansas collected an impressive 4,457 food items for an annual food drive at the recent Western Farm Show.

The food cans and other non-perishable items have been donated to Harvester’s – The Community Food Network, a regional food bank serving a 26-county area of northwestern Missouri and northeastern Kansas. The FFA donation totaled 2,334 pounds, which Harvesters says will provide 1,945 meals.

Each year, participating bi-state FFA chapters collect food items in their local communities and deliver them to the Western Farm Show, which is held at the American Royal the last weekend in February. For the 2018 food drive, 14 Missouri chapters delivered 3,613 items and six Kansas chapters accounted for 844 items.

“Harvesters is grateful to the Western Farm Show for its commitment to fighting hunger in our region,” said Logan Heley, Harvesters Food and Fund Drive Manager. “During the past seven years, the Western Farm Show has donated more than 31,000 pounds of food which have provided more than 25,000 meals.”

Ken Dean, Western Farm Show manager, said participating students not only support an important cause, but also have the opportunity at the show to expand their agricultural knowledge and learn about ag industry career opportunities. “Our show usually coincides with National FFA Week, which embraces the FFA and the important impact it has on its members,” Dean noted. “These Missouri and Kansas FFA students can be very proud of the dedication they have shown to supporting those in need.”

Produced by the Western Equipment Dealers Association, the Western Farm Show also features the latest farming and ranching equipment, livestock demonstrations, cooking shows and a Health and Safety Roundup, as well as other attractions for farming and ranching families.

Past State FFA Officer Reunion

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Plans are well underway for the 90^th Annual Missouri State FFA Convention, which will be held April 19 – 20, 2018 in Columbia, Mo. As Missouri FFA celebrates this milestone of 90 years of making a positive difference in the lives of students, we are also excited to announce a special event for Past State FFA Officer Teams. In the past, we have invited past officer teams to join us at State FFA Convention on their 5, 10, and 20 year reunions. However, as State Staff, we have decided to focus this year on a larger gathering of past officers to help celebrate 90 years of Missouri FFA and to help you re-connect with your State Officer friends.

On Friday, April 20^th, 2018 we will be hosting a Past State FFA Officer Reunion at the Columns Club, located within the east tower of Memorial Stadium on the University of Missouri Campus. We have reserved this space and will kick-off the event at 3:00 p.m. with hors d’oeuvres and will have a short program at 4:30 p.m. to update you on Missouri FFA and the Missouri FFA Leadership Fund. We would then invite you to join us at 5:30 p.m. at the Hearnes Center for the 4^th Session of the 90^th Missouri State FFA Convention. Our hope is that you will be able to re-kindle old friendships and get a glimpse of how Missouri FFA has continued to expand to better serve our students and the agriculture industry. Additional/optional activities on April 20^th that you may wish to participate in include:

FFA Career Show at the Hearnes Center Field House which runs from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
State FFA Officer & Parents gathering at 11:00 a.m. on the Hearnes Center Floor
Serving as a judge for the FFA Public Speaking competitions (contact Steven Rogers directly if you have an interest in this opportunity)

In addition to hosting this special event, we would also like to help re-connect you with each other and Missouri FFA. Please take a couple of minutes to follow this link below where you will be asked to provide your contact information and RSVP for this event. Not only will this help us with planning for your attendance, but will allow us to have a better database for contacting you in the future.

Please note, we are trying hard to reach as many past officers via email, however, our list of contact information is not complete. If you have contact with your fellow past state officers, please share this information with them.

I hope you will be able to join us as we celebrate 90 years of Missouri FFA.

Sincerely,

Steven Rogers

District Supervisor

Agricultural Education, Office of College and Career Readiness

Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

417-241-1302

CLICK HERE TO RSVP

RISE: 90th Missouri FFA Convention

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From special guest speakers to leadership workshops to the career show and career development event competition, FFA members from across the state will meet in Columbia, April 19-20 for the 90^th Missouri FFA Convention.

Never give up. It’s a common phrase we often take for granted. But motivational speaker and Missouri native Carey Portell lives it every day. As she headlines this year’s state FFA Convention, Portell will inspire FFA members across the state to push their limits and, most importantly, never give up.

After Portell and her children were involved in a fatal drunk driving collision, she was left with partial disabilities, even after a four-year recovery. Connecting with agriculture and assisting on her family’s cattle operation has given Portell hope. She claims farm work as her physical and mental therapy.

Portell travels nationwide to share her story. Additionally, Portell shares how farming has given her a focus and a feeling of life again. She enlightens listeners with her sense of perseverance and persistence.

Themed “Rise,” this year’s state convention also features award presentations, career development events, workshops and the ever-popular FFA Career Show.

Missouri also welcomes National FFA Western Region Vice President Bryce Cluff of Queen Creek, Arizona, to the convention. Cluff credits the blue jacket as the foundation of his core values and beliefs.

“I often have seen my service-driven attitude come out in my everyday life,” Cluff said.

Hailing from an urban background, Cluff worried about creating a successful supervised agricultural experience program when he entered high school. On a whim, Cluff purchased a male Pekin duck from his local feed store. Quickly, he found passion and diversified his operation into a backyard full of poultry in every variety.

“I developed my business skills and learned how I could challenge myself to become a better agriculturist,” Cluff said.

“These skills and experiences have since translated into my life and have shaped me to be a successful student and employee.”

Cluff’s experiences in the National FFA Organization have inspired him to become an agriculture educator and FFA advisor in rural or Native American chapters. Throughout his year of service as a National FFA Officer, Cluff says he hopes to grow alongside FFA members from a wide variety of backgrounds.

In addition to these guest speakers, the 90th Annual Missouri FFA Convention will feature leadership workshops for members. The FFA Career Show also gives students and guests the chance to learn about agricultural businesses, organizations, colleges and universities and more. Additionally, Missouri FFA will recognize the State Star Farmer, State Star in Agribusiness and State Star in Placement as well as present more than 750 State FFA Degrees to deserving members statewide. More than 8,000 people are expected to be in Columbia at the University of Missouri Hearnes Center for the state’s largest FFA event.

Leadership Opportunities Abound

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Whether you’re an energetic Greenhand or a high school junior looking to step up your leaderhip game before graduation, Missouri FFA has two exciting opportunities for you.

Applications for HYMAX and HYPE leadership programs are both due March 1.

HYMAX — JUNE 15-17, 2018: Application due March 1, 2018

Helping Youth Maximize their Agricultural eXperience (HYMAX) 2018

Missouri FFA Agricultural Leadership Freshmen Academy

Click Here for Online Application

Are you a future leader in Agriculture, FFA, and your community? If you answered YES, the HYMAX Academy is for you! HYMAX is a youth leadership conference designed for promising ninth grade students to reach their full potential! These FFA members will be prepared for future leadership roles, agricultural career exploration, and advocacy for agriculture. In addition, you will gain key strategies for SAE development, written and verbal communication skills, and career development. Most importantly, you will bring home tools to help you and your chapter achieve greater success!

The HYMAX will further motivate Agricultural Education freshmen students during a weekend-long leadership conference. It will provide a foundation in agricultural leadership and prepare you to embrace agricultural and leadership opportunities throughout your high school career.

In 2018, the top FFA Greenhands (up to a maximum of 100 students) will be selected to participate in HYMAX through a competitive written application process. Advisors may nominate up to FOUR students (two girls and two boys) per chapter. Students need to submit a written application, academic transcript, and two letters of recommendation. One of the two letters must be from your Agricultural Education Teacher/FFA Advisor and the second from a community leader that knows you and your leadership experience. Academy members will experience this innovative agricultural leadership academy at the Missouri FFA Camp Rising Sun at the Lake of the Ozarks, June 15-17, 2018. A participant fee of $30 will provide lodging, meals, leadership materials, and Academy T-Shirt.

All applications must be submitted to the Missouri FFA office by March 1, 2018. There are five parts to the written application: 1) information and signatures, 2) student narratives, 3) Ag Educator/FFA Advisor recommendation, 4) community leader recommendation, and 5) high school academic transcript. Please make sure that the information is correct on the applications, especially e-mail address. Students will be contacted prior to attending HYMAX using this e-mail address.

FFA members will be notified of selection by April 2, 2018.
Registration fee will be due by May 15, 2018.

HYPE ACADEMY: GROWING ADVOCATES FOR MISSOURI AGRICULTURE

Western Farm Show

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FFA DAY IS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2018

Attention all FFA Members & Advisors! Plan to attend the Focus on Agriculture Careers event.

Here are a few details:

FFA day will be held Friday, February 23rd.
Kansas State FFA and Missouri State FFA leadership are eager to share a message about how your students can become advocates for Agriculture and Hunger Awareness; making a difference in their communities and schools.
We encourage Advisors and Students to make a special visit to the OSU booth this year.

Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology, where students can learn about educational opportunities in Agriculture. Featuring their Equipment Technician Training Program for students looking to earn a degree in equipment maintenance and repair. Representatives will be on hand to answer questions about the program and OSU-IT. www.osuit.edu

FFA Canned and Nonperishable Food Border Battle at the Western Farm Show!

In support of the 2018 National FFA Week and FFA Day at the 2018 Western Farm Show, FFA members from Missouri and Kansas are encouraged to gather and bring canned and nonperishable food to donate to Harvesters Community Food Network. Your chapter could win $500 for bringing the most canned and nonperishable food items!

How do I register?

Complete the form below with the number of students your chapter plans to bring to the Show submit via the website or print and fill out the form and FAX the form back to us. You will receive your complimentary tickets in February, along with a letter providing details about parking and other information.
Please be sure to fill in your Western Farm Show FFA ticket request form below.

Ticket Request orders received after February 2, 2018 will not be mailed, but left in “will call” at the ticket office at the American Royal. The ticket office will open the morning of Friday, Feb. 23.

For questions, contact Ken Dean (kdean@westerneda.com).

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CLICK HERE TO RSVP

From special guest speakers to leadership workshops to the career show and career development event competition, FFA members from across the state will meet in Columbia, April 19-20 for the 90^th Missouri FFA Convention.

FFA members across the state celebrated National FFA Week, Feb. 17-24. These state representatives and senators took time out of their schedules to join us.

Missouri FFA says “thank you” to all state legislators who support agriculture and FFA.

Agriscience Fair Flyer

Agriscience Fair 2018 Rules

Agriscience Fair 2018 Handbook

University of Missouri Map

Whether you’re an energetic Greenhand or a high school junior looking to step up your leaderhip game before graduation, Missouri FFA has two exciting opportunities for you.

Applications for HYMAX and HYPE leadership programs are both due March 1.

Click here for a first-hand look at State President Abigail Bertz’s presentation.

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From special guest speakers to leadership workshops to the career show and career development event competition, FFA members from across the state will meet in Columbia, April 19-20 for the 90th Missouri FFA Convention.

FFA members across the state celebrated National FFA Week, Feb. 17-24. These state representatives and senators took time out of their schedules to join us.

Missouri FFA says “thank you” to all state legislators who support agriculture and FFA.

Whether you’re an energetic Greenhand or a high school junior looking to step up your leaderhip game before graduation, Missouri FFA has two exciting opportunities for you.

Applications for HYMAX and HYPE leadership programs are both due March 1.

FFA DAY IS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2018

How do I register?

Mark your calendar for these up-coming leadership development programs and scholarship application deadlines.

From special guest speakers to leadership workshops to the career show and career development event competition, FFA members from across the state will meet in Columbia, April 19-20 for the 90^th Missouri FFA Convention.