FFA

FFA
NEW HORIZONS
®
T H E M A G A Z I N E O F T H E N A T I O N A L F F A O R G A N I Z A T I O N | December 2 0 0 7
A Speech? Oh No!
Top presenters share tips
for overcoming stage fright
Go, Team, Go
Scale to new heights
through teamwork
Yes, Comment – on the magazine articles at …
ffanewhorizons.org
EditoR’s note
What’s Inside
Your Jacket Is Blue, Your Future Is Bright
Did you know that the first National FFA Day was celebrated
in 1933? That was nearly 75 years ago. Just as
the FFA organization has grown in size since then, so has the
celebration – today, we celebrate FFA for a full week each year.
In fact, that commemoration is what this edition of FFA New
Horizons is all about.
Kim Newsom
Many of you are probably focusing on the end of this school
semester and looking forward to the holiday break, but it’s never
too early to begin planning for the upcoming National FFA Week celebration, scheduled
for February 16-23, 2008.
Throughout this issue, you will find chapter-submitted ideas – anything from
pancake breakfasts (page 7) to tractor days (page 10) – and online resources for helping
you plan a spectacular event (pages 30-31). Or even use this year’s theme of “Blue
Jackets, Bright Futures” to create your own unique activities. And there’s more online.
Visit ffanewhorizons.org for web-exclusive articles or to share your best National FFA
Week ideas, comment on articles and submit photos. Also check out ffa.org for
downloadable mailers, graphics and logos like the one below.
In my opinion, the key to having a successful – and fun – National FFA Week is really
quite simple: teamwork. It takes everyone from chapter officers to freshman members
and even alumni to put together and execute a great event. And I’m sure you’ve heard
this before, but good teamwork skills will be beneficial to you now (as an FFA member)
and later in life (in your career). To learn how to become a better team player, check out
page 14. We’ve even included some tips for incorporating team-building activities into
your next chapter meeting.
Bright futures are before you. National FFA Week offers a great opportunity to
build your leadership skills, team spirit and communications abilities. Take advantage of
the upcoming 2008 event, and have a great one!
— Kim Newsom, editor
FFA
Volume 55 Number 2
NEW HORIZONS
®
The magazine of the National FFA Organization
JULIE WOODARD
KIM NEWSOM
JOYCE CARUTHERS
ANDREA BLOOM, CAROL COWAN,
REBECCA DENTON, CHRIS HAYHURST
KEVIN LITWIN, JESSICA MOZO
KEITH HARRIS
JEFF ADKINS, WES ALDRIDGE,
TODD BENNETT, ANTONY BOSHIER,
MICHAEL W. BUNCH, IAN CURCIO,
BRIAN McCORD
JESSY YANCEY
NATASHA LORENS
CHRISTINA CARDEN
HAZEL RISNER
MELISSA HOOVER, JILL WYATT
VIKKI WILLIAMS
CANDICE HULSEY, AMY NELSON
MEGHANN CAREY, SARAH MILLER,
PATRICIA MOISAN
Editorial Director
Managing Editor
Copy Editor
Contributing Writers
Creative Director
Staff Photographers
Photography Assistant
Production Director
Assistant Production Director
Pre-Press Coordinator
Production Project Managers
Senior Graphic Designer
Graphic Designers
Ad Traffic
Sales Support Manager/
PATTI CORNELIUS Custom Magazines
GARY SMITH Distribution Director
SHAWN DANIEL Web Design Director
RYAN DUNLAP, CARL SCHULTZ Web Designers
ALISON HUNTER Digital Asset Manager
CORY MITCHELL Color Imaging Technician
KRISTY MEYER, FFA Communications
AMBER STRIEGEL
RAY LANGEN Executive Vice President
CARLA H. THURMAN Sr. V.P./Sales
CASEY E. HESTER Sr. V.P./Production & Operations
MARK FORESTER V.P./Visual Content
TEREE CARUTHERS Executive Editor
JEFFREY S. OTTO Photography Director
KIMBERLY JOHNSON Ad Project Manager
For advertising information, contact Kimberly Johnson,
(800) 333-8842, ext. 277, or e-mail [email protected].
2006-07 National FFA Officers
BEAU WILLIAMSON, CA
KACY BAUGHER, IL
COTY BACK, KY
JAMIE CECIL, CO
JENNIFER HIMBURG, AL
JANETTE BARNARD, AZ
President
Secretary
Eastern Region Vice President
Central Region Vice President
Southern Region Vice President
Western Region Vice President
National FFA Staff
LARRY CASE National Advisor,
Chief Executive Officer
DOUG LOUDENSLAGER Chief Operating Officer
MARION FLETCHER National Treasurer
MARK CAVELL, DALE CRABTREE, Division Directors
TOM KAPOSTASY, JANET MALONEY,
ANNA MELODIA, DENNIS SARGENT,
KENT SCHESCKE, VICKI SETTLE,
LEE ANNE SHILLER, TONY SMALL,
BILL STAGG, WILL WAIDELICH
National FFA Board of Directors – Members
LARRY CASE Chair, USDE, VA
MARION FLETCHER Treasurer, State Supervisor, AR
STEVE BROWN State Supervisor/USDE, MI
ROBERT B. CALVIN Agiculture Teacher/USDE, MO
THOMAS DORMODY Teacher Educator/USDE, NM
DENNIS FISCUS State Supervisor, AZ
STEVE GASS State Supervisor, TN
IKE KERSHAW State Supervisor, OH
JASON LARISON Agriculture Teacher/USDE, KS
JOEL LARSEN State Supervisor, MN
Subscription Information:
FFA New Horizons (ISSN 1069-806X) is published Feb., April, June, Aug., Oct.
and Dec. by the National FFA Organization, 6060 FFA Drive, Indianapolis, IN
46268-0960. Publisher assumes no responsibility for return of
unsolicited manuscripts, art or any other unsolicited materials. For
subscription information contact: FFA New Horizons Subscription
Services, (317) 802-4235 or e-mail [email protected]. Periodical
postage rate is paid at Indianapolis, Ind., and additional mail offices.
Postmaster: Please send address changes to FFA New Horizons,
P.O. Box 68960, Indianapolis, IN 46268-0960.
Copyright© 2007 by the National FFA Organization
and Journal Communications Inc.
The National FFA Organization is dedicated to making a positive
difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for
premier leadership, personal growth and career success through
agricultural education.
2
FFA
NEW HORIZONS
FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG
December 2007
A Tractor Tradition
10
14
Contents
Lincoln County FFA hosts unique
National FFA Week activity.
Go, Team, Go
cover story
Scale to new heights
through teamwork.
Biofuels
Mean Business
18
Alternative energy boom means
more job opportunities for you.
departments
Scrapbook
Read news, jokes and more.
FFA Faces
Win a Chevy T-shirt.
Careers
Test your biofuels knowledge.
National Officer Q & A
Meet Vice President Janette Barnard.
Healthy Lifestyles
Revive your spirit for the new year.
6
FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG
21
6 24
Your Money
8 28
How-To
Stretch your holiday budget.
Overcome stage fright.
21 30
What’s On
22 32
Back Talk
23
Find resources for National FFA Week.
Meet former member Corey Flournoy.
On the Cover
Hendersonville, Tenn.-FFA members test
their teamwork skills. Photo By Brian McCord
23
28
30
FFA
NEW HORIZONS
3
THE 2007 FORD TRUCK SCHOLARSHIP
AWARD WINNERS
CONGRATUL ATIONS ON B E I N G T H E C R E A M O F T H I S Y E A R ’ S C R O P.
ALABAMA
Thomas Holt, Jacob Johnson, Morgan Weant
ARIZONA
Lauren Beavers, Aaron Campa, Mallory Cooney,
Julie Darr, Emily Kempe, Ashley Kinser,
Kade McKinney, Brandon Millis, Koby Patterson
ARKANSAS
Cody Green, Megan Hartman, Logan Holladay,
Cori Long, Karen Rorex,
Colton Selph, Randy Tinsley, Jr.
CALIFORNIA
Marrissa Allen, Carla Boeck, Colton Brodt,
Michelle Coon, Carrie Crane, Brandi Crivello,
Ashley Farmer, Briana Garcia, Jerilyn Grinsell,
Danielle Groteguth, Nicole Hllywa, Brianna Johnson,
Amanda Johnson, Natalie Mattos, Amber Mills,
Kimberly Ninteman, Kevin O’Connor, Matt Potter,
Matthew Sawyer, Simmie Stayer,
Taylor Todd, Heather Watkins
COLORADO
Leah Coombs, Jonathan Davis, Megan Hamilton,
Ashley Hudson, Jessica Johnson, Cara Kibler,
Sage Miller, Cole Smith, Lane Varner,
Eric Wellman, Travis Zellitti
FLORIDA
Heath Huesman, Rachel Batten, Mitchell Blackman,
Kalynn Brewer, Rachel Broome, Jarred Chandler,
Rex Cunningham II, Cacee Ford, James Fussell,
Cole Goracke, Brittany Hann, Isaac Hardee,
Rusty Hartline, Adrienne Hidalgo, Tanner Huysman,
Holly Lyons, Emily McKenna, Kayla Milburn,
Justin Newsome, Kayla Patton, Bronson Quinn,
Nocona Rooks, Melissa Short, Joshua Smith,
April Tillis, Sarah Waters, Marcia Williams
GEORGIA
Robert Bailey, Kristina Bedgood,
Steven Bernal, Caroline Black, James Brinson,
Conny Davidson,Justin Dennis, Lara Eubanks,
Hannah Findley, Kandace Franks, John Ganas,
Camren Gober, Andrea Gonzalez, Wright Gunter,
Holli Hart, Ashley Hersey, Whitney Howell,
Taylor Hughes, Kimberly Lantrip, Mark Lashley,
Travis McArthur, David McGee, Breanna Miller,
Amy Moore, Laura Odom, Michael Pitts,
Kayla-Dale Roberts, Hannah Segars,
Justin Sheppard, Debra Sires, Stephen Spivey,
Anna Taylor, Austin Taylor, Joshua Thompson,
William Tompkins, Benjamin Watson
IDAHO
Brian Herbst, Trent Kauer
ILLINOIS
Tyler Kresin, Tyler Teare
INDIANA
Jared Beck, Roberta Carney, Joshua Cisney,
Angela Gentry, Chelsee Gerber, Keith Gettelfinger,
Jordan Hall, Blake Hesters, Brandi Howell,
Nathan James, Mitchell Jessup, Carrie Miller,
Robert Moorhead, Asa Morris, Michelle Pollert,
Samantha Sisk, John Speer,
Jessica Turner, Sarah Yelch
IOWA
Michael Berkland, Megan Mairet,
Austin Rozeboom, Sylvia Schwahtes
KANSAS
Chad Atwood, Megan Bryant, Shelby DeNoya,
Christine Ebert, Bernadette Eve, Westin Holloway,
Brady James, Calandria Jarboe, Lynn Leuthold,
April Mader, Danielle Smith, Amanda Staats,
Haley Thomas, Jennifer Wadkins,
Taylor Wedel, Katie Wendland
KENTUCKY
Julie Crocker, Curtis Dame, Megan Hephner,
Quentin Lomache, Natosha Mulholland,
Jesse Reesor, Maegen Terry, Ericka Waggener
LOUISIANA
Chelsie Bertrand, Bryan Digby,
Kyle Headrick, Chasity Menasco
MARYLAND
Derek Hanes, Rashelle Liberto,
Katherine McCormick, Lydia Siebert
MASSACHUSETTS
Shannon Lane
MICHIGAN
Dustin Grezeszak, Sara Hammond, Ray Lee
MINNESOTA
Melissa Benoit, Justin Kidrowski,
Brandi Klarenbeek, Kristi Takasaki, Elizabeth Weber
MISSOURI
Stephanie Bristow, Kylie Dicket, Jamie Floyd,
Laura Francka, Wesley Reger, Courtney Whitacre
MONTANA
Megan Brumfield, Tanner Cahill, Amy Eickert,
Caleb Igo, Misty Stradtman
NEBRASKA
Charley Cull, Kellie Wise
NEVADA
Christina Withers
NEW MEXICO
Kristina Applegate, Nicole Aurand, Joseph Chavez,
Tye Martin, Anna Trillo, Kaitlyn Vega
NEW YORK
Becky Meyer
NORTH CAROLINA
Charles Betts, Blake Cooper, Christopher Eure,
Heather Forbes, Zach Fyffe, Travis Gasque,
Randall Godfrey, Eric Godwin, Amanda Harris,
Morgan Hightshoe, Brandon Huffman,
John Langdon II, Ashley Long, James Meadowcroft,
Garett Phillips, Kurt Scaggs, Joshua Smith,
Daniel Stewart, Cory Tuton, Andrew Wheeler
NORTH DAKOTA
Theodore Hoepfner, Lucas Vangsness
OHIO
Rikki Amburgey, Ashley Casto, Dustin Chaffee,
Samantha Climer, Lauren Cotterman, Derek Elder,
Matthew Elwer, Dustin Homan, Kara Hughes,
Rachel Kiser, Felicia Quaintance, Justin Rahrig,
Mitchell Ringwald, Shelly Schmachtenberger,
Andrew Swick, Benjamin Warnecke
OKLAHOMA
Sarah Bates, Brett Bogdan, Stephanie Bowen,
Matthew Braun, Colby Challis, Andrea Chapman,
Bradley Chester, Kourtney Childers, Jared Crain,
James Drake, Ariana Eakle, Sam Eden,
Jenny Fehring, Kaysie Fields, Mary Francis,
Melyssa Gilbert, Caitlyn Goss, Kathleen Gruntmeir,
Natalie Hansen, Kyle Harvey, Katherine Hefner,
Keelee Hilton, Emily Hopkins, Kassie Houston,
Matthew Howeth, Ashley Hubbell, Levi Jensen,
Kami Jensen, Cameron Jones, Chris Kimmel,
Rachel Lanehart, Maegan Manns, Dustin Martin,
Kelly McCorkle, Jennifer McDaniels, Lacey Meder,
Sabrina Meeks, Cassandra Mickelson,
Chelcci Mooneyham, Jacquelyn Morgans,
Ellen Morris, Jake Mullens, Jenna Parnell,
Clinton Peverley, Sarah Pierce, Johnna Pierce,
Kelly Pinnick, Brittany Polson, Nick Pope,
Randal Rochell, Kaitlin Rogers, Johnna Rushin,
Wyatt Sharber, Jennifer Sharp, Coleton Sharp,
Kyle Slagell, Coby Smith, Brent Smith, Blane Stacy,
Wyatt Swinford, Whitney Taylor, Amy Teel,
Dani Thompson, Bailey Torres, Laura Webb,
Jared Wedel, Jonathan Weiss,
Jeffrey Wynne, Lora Zimmer
OREGON
Shelby Armstrong, Justin Beaudry,
Clint Buchanan, Allison Burgess, Jennifer Charpilloz,
Emily Crabtree, Katelin Davidson, Ashley Day,
Grace-Renee Deboodt, Kasey Ford,
Mathew Hemshorn, Dyllan May, Beth McClaran,
Kelli Jo McKee, Melanie Moreland, Heather Noble,
Hannah O’Leary, Sheryden Root, Jared Sharp,
Nathan Stevens, Erika Wilmes,
Jessica Wintch, Aage Wurdinger
PENNSYLVANIA
Carolyn Kensinger, Eric Monger
SOUTH DAKOTA
Jacob Knippling, Daniel Pusch, Chelsea Steen
TENNESSEE
Samantha Cobb, James Deist, Meghan Gifford,
Chad Greene, Ruth Groce, Michael Caleb,
Rebekah Kidd, Jacob Massey,
Amy Ring, Elizabeth Rutledge
TEXAS
Jamie Abney, Ashley Ahart, Evelyn Ambriz,
Justin Anderson, Leslie Anthony, Clay Antilley,
Victor Arévalo, Justin Asbill, Sarah Baker, Sara Bam,
Ashley Barker, Jaime Barker, Melissa Barnett,
Calvin Barrington, Brittany Bayer, Amanda Bellinger,
Toby Belovsky, Erin Berger, Wesley Bissett,
William Bitner, Austin Blanscet, Jeffery Blasingame,
Marcus Blum, Sonja Blumentritt, Cara Boening,
Brett Bradshaw, Ashley Brady, Kathryn Bremer,
Ricky Brenek, Grant Briggs, Marcie Broussard,
Kristen Brown, Emily Browning, Jessica Bullard,
Courtney Bulldis, Scott Burgess, Courtney Calhoun,
Corley Call, Whitney Camp, Courtney Caraway,
Rodree Carlile II, Kara Cash, Kayla Castleberry,
Baltazar Chapa IV, Sarah Clem, Joel Colston,
Robyn Combs, Caitlin Connell, Brandon Cook
Adam Copeland, Jessica Copeland, Collin Corbin,
Jared Corbin, Andrea Cosper, Kristi Cox,
Heather Critelli, Hope Croman, Klein Collins,
Caleb Crosswhite, David Delesandri, Amy Dennis,
Julie Dial, Carly Drouillard, Randy Dziedzic,
Carla Ehlinger, Travis Elliott, Lucas Elsik,
Tyler Eschbach, Katy Estill, Travis Evans,
Shay Evans, Kelsey Evans, Lindsey Farris,
Reygan Farris, Sarah Ferguson, Grady Ferguson,
Jimmie Fitzgerald, Tyler Frazier, Ange Futrell,
Cullen Galow, Joshua Garcia, Rana Garrett,
Jessica Garza, Joshua David Garza,
Samantha Gathright, Mitchell Gibson,
William Golemon, Jessica Gonzalez, Colby Grimes,
Tatum Gunn, Richard Gunnels, Katie Hancock,
Tyler Handrick, Rebekah Harris,
Johnathan Harvey, Joseph Hatfield, David Hebert,
Stephanie Hendrickson, Jenna Henkes, Ashley Henry,
Erin Hise, Gregg Colton Hoffmann, William Hollon,
Jennifer Hungerford, Kelley Hutchinson,
Herlinda Ibarra, Brittany Jacob, Lauren James,
Jessica Jenschke, Shannon Johnson, Trevor Johnson,
Jacob Jones, Jaryn Jones, Amanda Judd,
Trevor Kalich, Emily Kaminski, Torii Kappelman,
Emily Kelley, Brittany Kelly, Candace Kocurek,
Catherine Kolar, Taylor Kooken, Ashley Kosub,
Joslyn Kotzur, Valerie Krchnak, Chelsie Krenek,
Michelle Krueger, Andrew Lancaster, Ashley Larkin,
Wesley Lawless, Elizabeth Lawson, April Lee,
Lauten Lefevre, Lindsey Letbetter, Leah Lewis,
Clint Lewis, Jr., Sarah Lindley, Billy Lindsey,
Taylor Liverman, Meghan Lowe, Kelsey Luddeke,
Joseph Martin, Zackery Mauney, Justin Maxwell,
Jennifer McCaslin, Elizabeth McMahon,
Tiffany Mello, Jerod Meurer, April Mihelich,
Baylie Miller, Lauren Minix, Ashley Minton,
Monica Misztal, Aaron Moore, James Morris,
Jessica Neitch, Cortney Nelson, Sarah Noack,
Jacob Noah, Kirstie Norman, Kelsey Norris,
Sarah Novak, Jose Ochoa, Matthew Okeson,
Brandon O’Quinn, Barrett Orth, Lauren Owens,
Kevin Packman, Dan Patterson, Kayln Pearson,
Samantha Peck, Heriberto Perez, Callie Perry,
Kelli Pettie, Lauren Pierce, Natalie Polk,
Lauren Pollock, Leslie Potthoff, Lauren Powell,
Natalie Pruitt, Brandi Pustka, Jassy Pyburn,
Christine Rager, Will Ramirez, Tabatha Rappmund,
Philip Rawlings, Christina Reid, Leigh-Adella Rhoad,
Whitney Richter, Ashley Rifenbury, Sunni Robbins,
Ashleigh Roberts, John Rodell, Lionel Rodriguez,
Brett Romines, Ramon Ruiz, Henry Ruiz,
Julio Salinas, Alyssa Sanchez, Francisco Sanchez,
William Sanderson, Garrett Sandling, Colt Sansing,
Gary Schlabs, Landon Schwartz, Jaret Sechelski,
Kelly See, Kyle Sells, Dayla Shipp, Thomas Shumate,
Paul Sigle, Kelvin Singleton, Logan Smith,
Abbye Smith, Samantha Smith, Alexandrea Smith,
Jennifer Ann Smith, Kyle Snoe, Candi Sopchak,
Jacob Spivey, Randi Standley, Ali Steadham,
Jeralyn Stephens, Kristen Stewart, Sarah Stiehl,
Ashley Swilley, Amanda Symank, David Taylor,
Janie Tipp, Joseph Torres, Brandon Trent-Allen,
Kary Tufts, Samantha Ullrich, Cole Ulrich,
Leah Van Maren, Jamie Vayon, Molly Veselka,
Ryan Wadkins, Jerrica Weathers, Kayla Weldon,
Casey Wessels, Corey Whitley, Wade Whyte,
Sarah Willett, Kayla Williamson, Asa Wilson,
Jessica Winkfein, Stephen Winzenried,
Joshua Wood, Daniel Woodrome,
Cameron Wright, Kayla Youngblooom,
Caleb Youree, Johnathan Zimmerer
UTAH
Clint Gertsch, Megan Haslam, Stetson Henrie,
Jena Sulser, Micall Tolbert
VIRGINIA
Samantha Hobbs, Quentin King,
Ashley Kyle, Rachel Smith
WASHINGTON
Leah Gordon, Jessica Waltenburg, Miles Zepp
WEST VIRGINIA
Joshua Beard, Steven Blake, Matthew Coleman,
Clayton Cox, Lillian Dennison, Samantha Galloway,
Jeddiah Guthrie, Russell Hixenbaugh, Tyler Huffman,
Morgan Hunley, Jeremiah Knavenshue, Anna Lowe,
Logan Maxwell, Thomas Montgomery, Cheyenne Pill,
Steven Smith, Brittany Terrell, Michelle Walls
WISCONSIN
Erin Daluge, Trista Gropp, Marlina Jackson,
Jennifer Nimmo, Peter Van Dyk
WYOMING
Burton Andreen, Amy Berry, Justin Chamberlain,
Kaycee Eisele, Kaylor Good, Kristin Lee, Robynn Nehl,
Matt Pearson, Shawna Praeuner, Ethan Young
VISIT YOUR PARTICIPATING FORD DEALER OR CONTACT YOUR FFA CHAPTER FOR 2008 APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS.
Your Letters
Message Board
BANDING TOGETHER
ffanewhorizons.org
I love the article about Stewart
Kitchen [October 2007, “The Buck Steps
Here”]. I am in band too. This year during
the 79th Illinois FFA Convention, I was
one of the band members. It was a great
experience, and I encourage all FFA
members who play instruments to sign
up for the FFA band. You learn a lot about
your passions – music and FFA.
Shayla Lawhorn
Rushville, Ill.
Tell Me About It
Click on The Buzz for our
new and improved Editor’s Blog,
where you can read little-known
facts and stories from the 80th
National FFA Convention and
submit your own favorite
memories from the event. We
will be printing the best in the
magazine, so tell us about it!
HI MOM!
Check out our
photo and video
galleries from the
80th National FFA
Convention. You
might even see
yourself!
WEB POLL
What is your
chapter’s main
goal for FFA Week?
• Recruit
new members
• Educate community
• Generate
awareness
• Host member
activities
To vote, click on
Fun Stuff.
ffanewhorizons.org
FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG
Editor’s note: If you are one of our
musical members, talk to your chapter
advisor. Several associations host bands
during their state FFA conventions, and
anyone can audition for the National FFA
Band, Chorus or Talent.
STEWART SIGNS IN
I just saw the video on
ffanewhorizons.org and thought it was
great! I can’t even begin to tell you what
it has meant to the Ohio FFA Association
and the Ohio State University College of
Agriculture to have one of their own on
the magazine’s cover and on the website.
Many high school FFA members
have told me that they have become
interested in OSU’s agriculture program
because of the article and video. It feels
good to see that my experiences are
inspiring others to take steps in that
direction. Thank you so much.
Stewart Kitchen
Columbus, Ohio
THE CLICK OF A BUTTON
I just love the new FFA New Horizons
online. Now I can get the latest info at
the click of a button, and now I don’t have
to share my magazine with my mom! You
guys are doing a great job – keep up the
great work.
Ashley Hettinger
Nelson County, Ky.
ATTRACTING COLLEGE STUDENTS
I love being able to read the
magazine online! I’m at college now so I
don’t get it once per month here. Thanks!
Lucas Fuess
Madison, N.Y.
Editor’s note: Great responses
to FFA New Horizons online just keep
coming. If you’ve not yet visited
ffanewhorizons.org, go there now! New
items and features are added all the time,
so check back often. And in following this
issue’s theme, consider using the website
as a promotional tool for your chapter’s
National FFA Week plans. Reading stories
about successful FFA members and
chapters could help prospective members,
FFA alumni and local supporters learn
more about the organization.
Contact Us:
We want to know what you think. Visit
ffanewhorizons.org and click on
Tell Us to submit your letters. Or,
write to us at FFA New Horizons, P.O. Box
68960, Indianapolis, IN 46268. Letters
may be edited for length and clarity.
FFA
NEW HORIZONS
5
FFA scrapbook
Express yourself
500,823
Congratulations, FFA
members! The National
FFA Organization
has recorded a total
of 500,823 members
for the 2007-08 year –
the first time
membership has
reached the halfmillion mark
since 1978.
1933
FFA celebrated the
first National FFA
Day in 1933. Later,
in 1948, the event
was expanded to a
week and celebrated
during George
Washington’s
birthday.
What a Hoot!
The 2007 National FFA Week activities
proved quite a hoot for Mabel-Canton FFA
in Mabel, Minn.
The chapter hosted a “Hidden Owl”
competition for each agriculture class,
with FFA trivia questions for each day.
The FFA members who answered correctly
received a clue as to the location of the
chapter’s owl statue, hidden somewhere
in the school.
Besides the hidden owl contest, MabelCanton FFA members hosted a “Kiss the
Goat” competition among the school’s
teachers, an FFA coloring contest for
elementary students, a school assembly
and a petting zoo.
6
FFA
NEW HORIZONS
Just Joking
What do you call a cow that twitches?
Beef jerky
Kimmie Brooks, Cameron FFA, W.V.
Why did the pizza delivery
man carry a ladder?
Because he was delivering to a high school
Myriah Morris, Silverhill, Ala.
Where do cows go to dance?
The meat ball
Ashley Myers, West Rowan FFA, N.C.
Why can’t a horse eat a round bale of hay?
It’s not a square meal.
Allyson True, Stewart Middle School, Va.
ffanewhorizons.org
For more jokes, click on
Fun Stuff.
FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG
FYI
YOUR TURN
Keep us informed!
This is your chance to
be a part of FFA New
Horizons. Send us a
short article about
your latest chapter
activities, awards
you’ve received or
even your involvement
outside FFA.
Be sure to include
a high-quality color
photo and your
contact information.
The FoRt Recovery FFA Chapter in Ohio hosts an annual community appreciation breakfast as
part of its National FFA Week activities. Each year, members prepare meals for local business and
community leaders, teachers, parents, and FFA members to show appreciation for all their support.
From Toys to Pancakes
Want an easy way to
send your story? Visit
ffanewhorizons.org
and click on Tell Us.
Or, send to:
FFA New Horizons
P.O. Box 68960
Indianapolis, IN 46268
[email protected]
It may seem like an odd combination, but Darlington FFA in Wisconsin
has created a successful duo with pancakes and toys.
For more than 25 years, Darlington chapter members have
hosted an annual all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast for the
local community to mark the beginning of National FFA Week.
The pancake breakfast proved to be such a success that,
five years ago, chapter advisor Troy Lobdell decided to
expand the event. They hosted their first antique toy show
in conjunction with the breakfast, and he says the event
has blossomed since.
More than 100 toy vendors from across Wisconsin set
up booths and display anything from traditional scale
model John Deere toys to G.I. Joe figures. The vendors
typically sell and trade items, but anyone is welcome to
browse through these antiques.
This year, a record 1,200 people attended the event.
FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG
FFA
NEW HORIZONS
7
FFA Faces
Members in action
Win a Chevrolet T-Shirt
Chevrolet, the sponsor of FFA Faces, will award
a T-shirt to featured members. Nominate
yourself or a fellow FFA member by sending
us the following details about the nominee:
name, grade, address, FFA and academic
achievements, interests and extracurricular
activities. To be considered, submissions
must include a high-quality color photo.
Send to:
FFA New Horizons
P.O. Box 68960, Indianapolis, IN 46268
Or e-mail to [email protected]
IA
Michelle Nieland
Chapter: Carroll Area FFA
As a high school senior, Michelle has been involved in many FFA
activities, including the Washington Leadership Conference and
the agricultural sales and parliamentary procedure CDEs. She was
named Star Greenhand and served as chapter president. Michelle
enjoys participating in community service projects like taking
pets to visit local nursing home residents.
WI
OK
Jessica Cole
Scott Wirz
Chapter: Fletcher FFA
Chapter: Oconto Falls FFA
Jessica first joined FFA because her parents are former members
and consider it a professional organization. This high school
junior now has a supervised agricultural experience program
(SAE) in dairy production, and breeds and raises milking shorthorn
cattle. Jessica serves as chapter vice president and received the
Star Greenhand award.
After just one year in FFA, this high school senior has begun
developing his SAE by earning a grant for the creation of his own
greenhouse and horticulture business. Scott was elected chapter
reporter, earned his Greenhand degree and attended the
Washington Leadership Conference. He plans to pursue a career in
the horticulture or poultry industry.
NY
WY
John Poelma
Nicole Goodale
Chapter: Burns FFA
Chapter: Alexandria Bay FFA
As a six-year FFA member, this college freshman has been active
in numerous career development events (CDEs). John was a
member of the 2007 state-winning parliamentary procedure team
and earned first place in the state small grain placement
proficiency award area. John now attends a Wyoming junior
college, majoring in elementary education.
This college freshman served as chapter president. She
participated in highway cleanups, canned food drives, summer
camp and the soils judging CDE. Nicole now attends Jefferson
Community College, where she is majoring in fire protection
technology and hopes to become the first female firefighter at a
local fire department.
KY
KS
Leslie Gossett
Scott Clark
Chapter: Ohio County FFA
Chapter: South Barber FFA
As a college freshman, Leslie is raising 30 horses through her
equine science SAE and has also developed a beef placement SAE.
She improved her equine and speaking skills by participating in
the state horse and prepared public speaking CDEs. Inspired by
her advisors, Leslie is now majoring in agricultural education and
plans to become an agriculture instructor.
Scott, a college freshman, grew up in the agriculture industry
working for his family’s custom-harvesting operation. He
developed his career skills in the agricultural mechanics and
livestock judging CDEs. Scott was the state agricultural services
placement proficiency winner and now majors in agricultural
engineering at Oklahoma State University.
– Andrea Bloom
8
FFA
NEW HORIZONS
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A Tractor
Story by Jessica Mozo
Tradition
Tractor Day is a rite
of passage for Lincoln County FFA members
For many lincoln county FFA members, the early-morning drive is the best part
of participating in tractor day. some leave home as early as 4 a.m. STAFF PHOTOS
10
FFA
NEW HORIZONS
FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG
S
ummer vacation is still
several months away, and
it’s not even the Friday before
spring break. But the chilly Friday
in February that concludes National
FFA Week is the best day of the year
for many FFA members in Lincoln
County, Tenn.
That’s because it’s time for the
highly anticipated Tractor Day – a
28-year-old tradition at Lincoln
County High School in Fayetteville,
Tenn., where FFA members rise before
dawn, bundle up in their Carhartt
overalls and rev up the engines on
their tractors.
Then they drive them all the
way to school.
“I left my house at 4:30 this
morning and got here at 6,” says
Samantha Cobb, who served as the
2006-07 chapter vice president, on
the 2007 Tractor Day. “My tractor
goes up to 18.5 miles per hour.”
Cobb, now a graduate, drove
her family’s tractor in Tractor Day
all four years of high school.
“My first year, my dad
insisted on riding with me,
and I almost ran over a
cameraman,” she recalls
with a giggle. “But I’ve
gotten a lot better.”
With more than 50
tractors congregating
in the school parking
lot, Tractor Day creates
quite a spectacle. So big,
in fact, that television,
radio and print media
come to cover the event.
The commotion starts around
FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG
6 a.m., when tractors in shades of red,
orange, green and even blue start
appearing in the school parking lot.
At 6:45, they line up and parade onto
the highway in front of the school,
winding around the building and
returning to the parking lot. A record
55 tractors paraded in the 2007
Tractor Day.
“The kids think it’s great,” says
Dawn Malone, Lincoln County FFA
advisor. “The police even stop
traffic for them on the highway.”
A country breakfast in the
school’s agriculture shop, sponsored
by local tractor dealerships, follows
the tractor parade, where the
students feast on biscuits and gravy,
scrambled eggs, country ham,
sausage and hash browns. Teachers,
staff members, school board members
and the superintendent of schools are
invited to the breakfast as a thankyou for supporting FFA; parents and
grandparents also attend.
After breakfast, cash prizes are
awarded for the oldest and newest
tractors, the most and least hours
driven on a tractor, the dirtiest and
cleanest tractors, the most and least
horsepower, the student who drove
their tractor the farthest, and the
student with the most FFA spirit.
“Tractor Day is important,
because it gives the kids a chance to
show off something they do every
day,” says Jennifer Snoddy, Lincoln
County FFA advisor. “Eighty percent
of our students are at least two
generations off the farm, and that
makes it special.”
The tractors in the school parking
FFA
NEW HORIZONS
11
lot range from old antiques to brandnew just off the dealership lot.
Celebrate FFA!
Hosting a tractor day is just one of many
FFA week chapter activities. If you live in
the city, you might set up a agriculture
awareness booth at local grocery stores
or host an event in the park. The key is
to find an activity that suits your
chapter and your surroundings. Here
are more ideas to get you started.
“Many of the kids have fathers
Of the 1,200 students at Lincoln
County High School, some 200 are
and mothers, aunts and uncles, and
FFA members. But Tractor Day is an
older sisters and brothers who have
educational opportunity even for
driven in Tractor Day,” Malone says.
students who aren’t involved in
“It’s something that’s unique to
agriculture. During scheduled times
Lincoln County, and the kids look
throughout the school day, teachers
forward to it all year. The school
bring students out to the parking lot
athletes have their days to shine,
to see the tractors, and they are given
and this is a day for FFA members.”
a list of interesting agricultural facts
The Tractor Day tradition was
• Stand at school entrances in Official
Dress and give away FFA pens, mints
or other items.
• Toss FFA T-shirts into the crowd at a
school basketball game and make an
announcement about FFA Week over
the loudspeaker at halftime.
• Invite eighth-graders to a pizza
party and teach them about FFA.
• Hold a school assembly in the gym.
Play games, have FFA officers speak,
give away FFA T-shirts, and talk
about how FFA members win awards
and scholarships.
• Organize FFA members to visit area
nursing homes, landscape around your
school, volunteer to help elementary
students with homework or do some
other community service project.
• Provide a pancake breakfast or
barbecue lunch for teachers,
administrators, student council
members and class officers at
your school.
• Hold a Teacher Appreciation Day where
members take apple pies to each
teacher with FFA information attached.
• Work with local newspapers,
radio and TV stations to highlight
activities your chapter is doing.
• Make agriculture displays for
local banks, doctors’ offices
and businesses.
see the agricultural future.”
started in 1980 by Stan Golden, former
to share with the students.
Tractor Day has proved to be an
superintendent of schools in Lincoln
effective recruiting tool for Lincoln
County, and Tim Redd, director of
County’s FFA chapter.
farm laboratories at Middle Tennessee
“I’ve had students tell me the
State University, when both were
reason they joined FFA was because
teachers and FFA advisors at Lincoln
of Tractor Day, and one of them later
County High School.
became state FFA president,” Golden
“We wanted to stimulate interest
says. “You never know what little
in the agriculture program, and this is
things can make a big difference
a real ag community,” Golden says.
in someone’s life.”
“The first year, we had 10 or 11 tractors
Senior Marlayna Pepper loves
and a couple of mules. We never
participating in Tractor Day simply
anticipated it would grow this big.”
because “it’s something different.”
Nearly 30 years later, Tractor
Day is a total community effort.
“The best part is that the
“It’s a lot of fun, because it gets
us out of school for a little while, and
all of us get to eat breakfast together,”
community realizes even high school
she says. “And it’s not every day
kids can be involved in agriculture,”
you see a long line of tractors
Cobb says. “This lets the community
driving to school.”
Lincoln County FFA members participate in the parade around the school.
12
FFA
NEW HORIZONS
FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG
Cover Story
Go,
Team, Go
Story by Jessica Mozo
Photography by Brian McCord
FFA members Link up to build
Y
spirit, gain useful skills
ou’ve heard the saying, “Two
“After high school, they’ll need
develop teamwork, it ultimately
heads are better than one.”
teamwork skills on college campuses
benefits their personal growth,
The old adage simply means
to accomplish projects in classes and
leadership and career.”
that some problems are more easily
solved with two people working
work through issues with professors.”
After college, teamwork
National FFA President Beau
Williamson regularly practices
together instead of one person
becomes important as you develop
teamwork skills with his fellow
working alone.
in your career.
national officers. He believes what
If two people have a better
“We’re constantly working on
makes or breaks a team is trust.
chance at solving a problem, just
teams in FFA and interacting with
“On a team, you really need to sit
think what 10 or 12 can do. FFA
others,” says Joshua Bledsoe, senior
down and be honest with each other,”
presents countless opportunities to
team leader for National FFA’s
Beau says. “Every team has
learn and practice teamwork, from
Leadership & Education Program
conflicts. Challenges you face on
competitions such as livestock
Delivery team. “If we help students
any team you join are differences in
judging and parliamentary
procedure to officer teams pooling
their efforts to accomplish a
chapter’s goals.
It’s no secret good teamwork
skills pay off once you enter college
and the workforce, so why not start
developing those skills now? You’ll
be amazed at how much your
chapter can accomplish with a
little teamwork.
“Teamwork boils down to
personal relationships, which
students will need all their lives,”
says Renee Durham, education
specialist for the National FFA
Organization’s Leadership &
Education Program Delivery team.
14
FFA
NEW HORIZONS
Before every team activity, huddle up to discuss your best approach.
FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG
The human knot, a popular team-building activity, encourages the group
to work together toward a common goal – breaking free of the knot.
FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG
FFA
NEW HORIZONS
15
Cover Story
Build Your Team
Help your chapter members bond with a
fun team-building exercise. It can be as
simple as a follow-up to your next
chapter meeting or complex enough to
take up a whole Saturday.
“Sometimes the simplest tasks make
great team-building experiences,”
Durham says. “Ask a group of people to
accomplish a task, and they will
naturally take on different roles.”
Try some of these ideas for starters:
• Get together your fellow chapter
members to plan and prepare a meal,
and invite all your parents to enjoy it.
• Play a game of Capture the Flag
or volleyball after your next
chapter meeting.
• Plan a weekend trip to a ropes
course or rock-climbing wall.
• Build an FFA-themed holiday
parade float and enter it in
an upcoming parade.
• Organize a fundraising event that
benefits either your chapter or a
local charity.
• Tackle a community service project
such as landscaping a local park or
painting a house for a senior citizen.
• Chat with other FFA members at
state and national conferences
and borrow some of their teambuilding activities.
• Look for resources on team building
at bookstores, online or in The Core,
an FFA catalog you can order online
at www.ffaunlimited.org.
views, opinions and personalities.
Only the great teams work through
those to become something amazing.”
Serving on state and chapter
officer teams and chapter
committees are great ways to
build your team skills.
“Officer teams are important
as well as committees,” Bledsoe
says. “Through our National Chapter
Award program, committees help
entire chapters accomplish success.
Officers can’t do it alone, and
advisors can’t do it alone.”
One of the most important
things to remember when working
on a team is that each person
contributes to success, whether
they’re leaders or followers.
“Remember what your
teammates’ needs are, and make them
feel important – always build each
other up,” Williamson says. “Being
around talented people will help you
develop in ways you never imagined.
In my life, being on a team has taught
me so much about life, who I am, what
I value and who I can become.”
Durham and Bledsoe often work
together in their jobs, and they’ve
come to appreciate each other’s
individual talents – something that
commonly happens in a team setting.
“Renee is incredibly creative –
she has great ideas,” Bledsoe says.
“And if you give me ideas, with work,
I can make them happen. We take
each other’s strengths and combine
them to get results.”
If leadership is one of your
strengths, keep in mind you can
only lead a team successfully if you
become the type of person others
want to follow.
“Leadership is influence,”
Durham says. “I am comfortable
leading, but I’ve learned through my
FFA experiences that my influence is
much greater when I use the
strengths of the people around me.”
That kind of attitude helps
leaders and followers appreciate the
value of teamwork.
“We teach servant leadership in
FFA,” Bledsoe says. “As we are put in
positions of leadership, we realize
it’s not about us – it’s about others.
And that environment of service
directly influences how we operate
as a team.”
The trust fall game helps team members become comfortable with one another.
16
FFA
NEW HORIZONS
FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG
Story by Chris Hayhurst
Biofuels Mean
Business
Alternative fuel boom translates to more
jobs for graduates
ANTONY BOSHIER
P
It doesn’t work quite this way, but corn can be processed into fuel for vehicles.
18
FFA
NEW HORIZONS
lant operations manager.
Grain procurement
specialist. Environmental,
health and safety manager.
Engineer. Plumber. Farmer.
It’s certainly a diverse list of job
titles. But get this: Thanks to one of
the most promising developments in
alternative energy, they’re actually
all related. Each of these jobs deals
with biofuels.
In case you’re not familiar with
this new buzzword in agriculture,
here is an explanation.
Biofuel is, well, a type of fuel,
and it’s used just like conventional
fuel. Like gasoline, the biofuel
ethanol can be used to fuel a car.
For example, you might see “E10” or
“E85” at the pump, which means that
it’s ethanol blended with gasoline,
and the number indicates the
percentage of ethanol added. Like
regular diesel fuel, biodiesel, often
FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG
labeled as “B20” or “B100,” is
another type of biofuel that can
power a diesel engine. Unlike most
fuels, however, biofuels are made
from renewable resources that are
replenished just as fast as they’re
used up. Biofuels are derived from
biomass, which includes crops like
corn and soybeans, organic waste
from livestock, or even wood chips.
While the world’s supply of oil,
used in the production of
conventional fuels, grows scarcer
by the day, its supply of biomass is
unlimited. Another advantage to
biofuels is in how they burn.
They’re cleaner than oil-based
fuels. Because they pollute less,
in on the action.
“Much of the work is in the
production process,” Ileleji explains.
“You’ll find positions working in
refineries, in handling and
processing, and in process control.
Operations personnel are needed to
run the plants. And then there are
all the mechanical aspects of
production, which also need workers
– maintenance, plumbing, welding.”
Ileleji says safety and
environmental experts are also
needed to make sure the conversion
plants, which rely on complex
chemical processes to turn the
stored energy (from the sun) in
biomass into usable fuels, run
smoothly, cleanly and safely.
In addition to these jobs, the
industry needs construction
professionals to build the plants,
engineers to put everything together,
scientists to develop more efficient
means of conversion, and people to
transport and deliver the finished
product to fueling stations. And then,
of course, there are the growers.
“Someone has to grow the
fodder,” says Ileleji. For farmers
growing corn, soybeans, or a
number of other crops, biofuels
present a great opportunity.
“The market for what growers
produce is only getting bigger,”
says Ileleji.
they’re better for the environment.
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS
Consider this: The United States
now produces more than 5 billion
gallons of ethanol and 600 million
gallons of biodiesel every year.
That’s just a drop in the bucket
compared to petroleum fuels, but
those numbers are on the rise.
There are currently 119 ethanol
plants (up from just 50 in 1999) in
26 states. Nearly 90 more are under
construction. Plants for producing
biodiesel are also being built, and
demand for all biofuels is at an
all-time high.
According to biofuels expert
Dr. Klein Ileleji, if you’re looking for
a job, or will be soon, this is all great
news. An assistant professor at
Purdue University, Ileleji says
there are countless ways to get
FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG
Many auto manufacturers are building hybrid cars – designed for ethanol use.
FFA
NEW HORIZONS
19
the nuts and bolts of a biofuels
operation in good running order.
College grads could land a job
among the operations personnel,
running the plants themselves. Those
with graduate-level degrees would
FYI
FOR MORE INFORMATION
looking for new uses for biofuels and
The Internet is chock-full of sites with
great information on biofuels and related
careers. Here are a few of our favorites:
sources of biomass or developing
• Renewable Fuels Association
typically take jobs in research –
efficient conversion processes.
Whatever your future, if you
pursue a career in biofuels, your
www.ethanolrfa.org
• National Corn Growers Association
www.ncga.com
agriculture background will help.
“You as FFA members are
perfectly poised,” says Ileleji. “You
understand how something you
• U.S. Department of Energy
www.eere.energy.gov.
• To sample the field’s many
grow can be turned into a useful
current job openings, check out
product. That gives you a great
www.ethanol-jobs.com and
www.biodiesel-jobs.com.
advantage when it comes to finding
a job.”
ANTONY BOSHIER
GETTING THERE
If you decide to pursue a
biofuels-related career, you may
wind up at a well-known company
like Archer Daniels Midland, or
maybe at a growing company like US
BioEnergy, e85 or Marquis Energy
LLC. But getting there will take time,
says Ileleji.
“For now,” he says, “focus on
doing well in school. For many
positions, it’s important to have a
strong science background –
especially in chemistry and biology.”
You can land a position in the
industry with any number of
educational degrees. A high school
graduate might find himself working
on plant construction or any of the
labor-intensive jobs required to keep
Currently the most widely used biomass for alternative fuels, corn has seen a spike in prices due to the ethanol industry.
20
FFA
NEW HORIZONS
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Biofuels
1
COMPARED TO
PETROLEUM
GASOLINE, BIOFUELS:
16
A. Lower greenhouse
gas emissions
B. Increase farm income
C. Reduce petroleum imports
D. All of the above
2
3
THE ENERGY POLICY ACT OF
2005 REQUIRES THE U.S.
TO INCREASE ITS BIOFUELS
USE EACH YEAR, RISING TO:
FYI
A. 4.5 billion gallons by 2008
Biofuels buzzwords are everywhere –
from cellulosic ethanol to gasohol to
E10 – so it’s no secret that the
alternative fuel industry is growing.
And with it come more potential career
opportunities for you. In our careers
feature, you read about different types
of careers related to biofuels; now it’s
time to test what you already know.
B. 7.5 billion gallons by 2012
C. 10.5 billion gallons by 2015
A GASOLINE-TYPE FUEL
MADE BY FERMENTING
SUGARS INTO ALCOHOL
IS CALLED:
A. Biodiesel
B. Biomass
C. Ethanol
FFA Careers
7
CELLULOSIC ETHANOL
CAN BE MADE FROM:
BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL
THAT CAN BE CONVERTED
INTO FUEL IS CALLED:
BIOFUEL BRAINTEASERS
Test your brain with our careers
quiz, and see if this industry is a
good career choice for you. Then, visit
ffanewhorizons.org and click on
Life & Learning for more
information about biofuels jobs.
A. Biomass
B. Cellulose
C. Ethers
4
SINCE BIOMASS IS
RELATIVELY LIGHTWEIGHT AND BULKY,
BIOFUEL PRODUCTION
FACILITIES ARE
GENERALLY BUILT:
A. Close to the source
of the biomass
B. Far away from the source
C. In large cities
5
A. Corn
IN “E85 FUEL,” THE
NUMBER 85 STANDS
FOR THE:
A. Percentage of gasoline
B. Percentage of ethanol
C. Fuel’s volatility
ANSWERS: | 1 D | 2 C | 3 A | 4 A | 5 B | 6 B | 7 B
FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG
B. Switchgrass
FFA
NEW HORIZONS
21
FFA National Officer
Q&A
Q
What do you think is the outlook for
careers in the agricultural industry?
A
“We need those talented young people
interested in agriculture!” I’ve heard
that sentence over and over this year,
and it is exciting for all 500,823 FFA
members. They are right! We will be prepared
and ready to get involved in all the careers
that are open to us. The truth is, we are a
part of a growing and expanding agriculture
industry, and the options are endless for us.
Q
The school year is halfway over for
most FFA members. What are some
ideas for keeping chapter members
motivated about FFA?
A
Have fun! My favorite memories are
late practices, early morning
breakfasts, practical jokes and all
those great little memories made. School
gets busy and the “to do” list gets long,
FYI
JANETTE’S
FAVORITES
This Arizona FFA
member considers her
trips with the Willcox
FFA Chapter (her home
school) as her best FFA
memories. And while on
the road, she enjoys one
of her other favorites –
Mexican food. Read more
of Janette’s favorites.
Movie: The Parent Trap
Fruit: Watermelon
Singer: George Strait
Sport: Basketball
Smell: Rain
CDE:
Livestock
judging
22
FFA
NEW HORIZONS
but bringing chapter members together
for fun activities can keep excitement high.
Janette
Remember to enjoy the great people around
Barnard
you, the unique chances you have, and all
FFA
most about yourself this year?
National
Western
Region Vice President
Q
In your opinion, why is National
FFA Week important?
A
National FFA Week is a chance to
share the best of the best about FFA
with basically anyone! I encourage
members to think creatively about how to
showcase your chapter. It can be anything
from an article in a newspaper to hosting a
school breakfast or agricultural
Olympics. There are countless ways to
promote FFA, celebrate chapter success,
educate the public and recruit members.
the intriguing things you are learning.
Q
What have you learned
A
This year, I’ve learned that I
absolutely love the agriculture
industry. In working with my
teammates, I’ve learned that we each really
are completely different, but that I love
those differences in people. From amazing
FFA members, I’ve learned that their talent
continually awes me. Mostly I’ve learned that
I love learning and that it really never stops.
ffanewhorizons.org
Click on Features to learn more about
Janette’s National FFA experiences.
FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG
self-Motivation
FFA healthy lifestyles
STAY POSITIVE.
Focus
“Stay away from the bummer
Forward
midyear slumps
Don’t let the
drag you – and your motivation – down
words – no, never, can’t, won’t, maybe,
if,” says John Bishop, founder of
www.teachingmoments.com.
“People use those as an excuse to not
do something, and they stop before
they even get started. Replace those
words with ‘I’ll make it happen’
words – ‘yes I will’ and ‘I can.’ Once
you use those words, you have made
a commitment and have said you’ll
A
s the middle of the school year
choosing to do just 15 to 30 minutes
approaches, it’s only natural
of focused work followed by a reward.
SET ATTAINABLE GOALS.
to lose some steam. The goals
you set for yourself in the fall – to
ace English or finally make sense of
trigonometry – may have sounded
like a breeze when school started, but
it’s easy to lose focus when the real
work begins. Here are some tips to
step up to the plate.”
CHOOSE YOUR ATTITUDE.
Don’t let a setback – a bad grade
or a missed deadline – get you down.
Start fresh and make plans to do better.
“When you can’t control outside
“The world we live in suggests
that you can have instant success,”
Bishop says. “But success takes time
and planning and effort, and we
have to learn how to plan.”
It all starts with the desire to
events, you can always control your
change, Bishop says. Determine
attitude and how you accept, forgive
exactly what you want to
and love yourself,” Fiore says. “Take
accomplish, then write small,
charge of how you talk to yourself
measurable steps laying out
every night. Say to yourself, ‘That
specifically how you’re going
psychologist in Berkeley, Calif., and
hurt or was embarrassing, but I will
to get there.
author of Awaken Your Strongest Self:
never abandon you. I’m on your side.’”
help jump-start your resolve.
SCHEDULE TIME FOR YOU.
“You must play and have guiltfree playtime,” says Neil Fiore, a
– Rebecca Denton
Break Free of Stress, Inner Conflict,
and Self-Sabotage. “This will make
your work time more efficient, and
it will reward work with play.”
Schedule your time each day
on paper, Fiore says, including
everything – school, homework,
church, club meetings, sports
practice, music rehearsals,
work – along with some free
time just for you.
“You don’t have to want to study,
BRIAN M C CORD
but you can choose to face what will
help you get through school,” he says.
“Break the inner conflict between ‘I
have to’ and ‘I don’t want to.’ Start
FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG
FFA
NEW HORIZONS
23
FFA your money
Holiday budgets
comparing prices at different stores.
Weigh prices online, or call around
to several different stores in your
area. The savings could be well
worth the extra time.
The Season of
Spending
tips for
stretching your holiday budget
A
hhh, the holidays. A time for
parties, special meals,
presents, a long break from
school – and spending money. It’s
hard to stick to a budget when festive
music is playing, everyone’s in a good
mood and there’s so much to buy.
The holidays, however, don’t
have to mean disaster for your
hard-earned dollars. Here’s how:
1.
MAKE A LIST.
Decide how much you
can afford to spend this year, and
write it down. Then decide who
you’re going to buy gifts for and
PLAN AHEAD.
This will give you time
to compare prices or even make
your own gifts. You’ll also have time
to ship your packages early if
necessary. Who wants to pay pricey
overnight shipping costs just to
make sure gifts arrive on time?
4.
MAKE YOUR OWN GIFTS.
Yes, you can do it!
Consider giving a small basket of
homemade cookies, bread, muffins –
whatever your friend or relative
likes. Frame a photo of you and that
person. If you’re crafty, knit a cool
scarf. Plant some flower bulbs, such
as paperwhites, in a small pot and
give them as a gift; the flowers will
soon blossom into a great spring gift.
5.
how much you can spend on each
person. Stick to your list no matter
what. Don’t forget to include wrapping
paper and cards in the mix, because
small expenses add up fast.
2.
PAY WITH CASH.
If you have a credit
card, you’ll probably be tempted to
use it. But don’t give in! The average
person takes six months to pay off
holiday bills, with interest charges
only adding to their debt, according
to the American Banker Association.
3.
COMPARE AND SAVE.
You can save more
than 10 percent on most items by
24
FFA
NEW HORIZONS
HAVE A GIFT EXCHANGE.
Draw names with
family and friends instead of
buying a gift for everyone. Set a
dollar limit so each person knows
how much to spend.
6.
PLAN AN EVENT.
Instead of buying gifts
for your friends, go out and do something fun together. Go ice-skating, to
the movies, out to dinner, to a concert
or indoor rock climbing – whatever it
is you love to do. The holidays are all
about being with people you care
about, right? So set aside time just
to hang out and have fun.
– Rebecca Denton
7.
FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG
FFA How-to
Speak with authority
Power of
Speech
RECORD YOURSELF.
“Most folks are uncomfortable
hearing their own voice, but it really
is a great way to improve,” Lohr
says. “It’s also a great way to break
bad habits, like the ‘umms’ and ‘you
knows’ that are very common.”
Seasoned presenters share tips for
overcoming
stage fRight
I
f giving speeches in class or in
front of a crowd makes you weak
in the knees, you’re not alone.
Psychologists believe
glossophobia (the fear of public
speaking) is the most common fear in
our society, affecting as much as 75
percent of the population.
But you can overcome speech
anxiety. Check out these tips from
Matt and Andrea Lohr, former FFA
officers who started their own
professional speaking company,
New Directions Communications:
FIND AN INTERESTING TOPIC.
When deciding on a
speech topic, think
about things
that inspire
you or things
that are important to you in life.
“It’s easier to show excitement
when you speak if it’s a subject area
you really care about,” says Matt Lohr.
FOCUS ON YOUR MAIN POINTS.
Your audience doesn’t expect or
want you to recite a whole
encyclopedia entry about your topic.
Giving too many details not only
bores your listeners, but it also
makes your job harder. Pick two or
three main points, and focus on them.
If you don’t memorize your
speech, use note cards. But never
read a speech word for word.
PRACTICE YOUR SPEECH OFTEN.
“Practice is essential to
becoming a winning speaker, the
same as it is for becoming a great
free-throw shooter,” Lohr says.
“The behind-the-scenes effort you
put in will determine how well you
do in the actual event.”
SEEK INPUT FROM OTHERS.
Ask trusted friends or adults who
care about helping you grow to listen
to your speech and give you their
opinion. Let them coach you, and keep
an open mind to their suggestions.
28
FFA
NEW HORIZONS
PREPARE MENTALLY.
“For some people, that means
listening to a favorite song to get
their energy pumping,” Lohr
suggests. “For others, it may mean a
few minutes of complete silence to
collect and focus their thoughts.
Find out what works for you and get
in your proper mental zone.”
BREATHE DEEPLY AND SMILE.
When you get in front of the
audience, don’t jump right in. Most
beginning speakers talk too quickly,
so slow down and enjoy the moment.
Take a deep breath, pause for a
second, smile and away you go.
STAY CALM THROUGH MISTAKES.
“Everyone has made a mistake
while delivering a speech at some
point. A lost place, forgotten fact,
mispronounced word … it can easily
happen,” Lohr says. “Stay calm and
work through it. Although they can
be embarrassing, mistakes help you
do better next time.”
NEVER GIVE UP.
No matter how badly you do on
your first speech, never quit. Pick
yourself up, determine what went
wrong, and try to improve.
“Every great speaker began as a
novice, but they never quit,” Lohr
says. “That’s what makes them great
today.”
– Jessica Mozo
FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG
FFA What's on
Web
media buzz
Books
100 Years
of Tractors
VISIT OUR ADVERTISERS
Ford Motor Company
www.fordvehicles.com
General Motors/
Chevrolet Division
www.generalmotors.com
GMAC Consumer Finance
www.smartedgebygmac.com
Justin Boots
www.justinboots.com
National FFA Organization
www.ffa.org
Phd Detroit
www.dodge.com
Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc.
www.toyota.com
Tractor Supply Company
www.mytscstore.com
Tulsa Welding School
www.weldingschool.com
U.S. Marine Corps
www.marines.com
Universal Records South
www.umusic.com
30
FFA
NEW HORIZONS
Convention
Continues
The national FFA convention
doesn’t have to end with the last
tap of the gavel. Stay tuned for
our full convention coverage in
the February 2008 issue, but for
now, visit ffanewhorizons.org
for cool photos, convention blogs
and web-exclusive stories. Be
sure to check out our newest
features – 360-degree photos
from the convention.
Tell us some of your favorite
FFA convention stories and
events and submit your favorite
Indy photos. You might see your
stories published in the
magazine or on
ffanewhorizons.org.
If you enjoy learning about
the rich history of tractors, this
book is for you.
Written by agriculture
enthusiast Ralph W. Sanders,
The Farm Tractor: 100 Years of
North American Tractors
chronicles the tractor’s role
in continually transforming
agriculture throughout the
20th century.
Besides its in-depth look at
some of the rarest tractors ever
made, the book also features
more than 400 photos of tractors
– from the 1938 Allis-Chalmers
WC to the John Deere four-wheeldrive 8010.
FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG
STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP,
MANAGEMENT AND CIRCULATION
(Required by 39 U.S.C. 3685)
Links
News
Grab FFA Gear
ageducate.org
National FFA Week presents
a great opportunity to educate
others about agriculture. Check
out www.ageducate.org for
educational resources –
including facts and statistics,
ideas for promotional activities,
and even downloadable
presentations.
Be sure to visit “Kids Space,”
where you can link to a brandnew U.S. Department of
Agriculture website called
“Science Knows No Boundaries,”
designed for children ages 8 to 13.
You’re sure to find plenty of
information suitable for an
agriculture facts flier or
even a trivia game.
Need some fun giveaways
for your National FFA Week
community breakfast or prizes
for your FFA trivia contest?
Check out ffaunlimited.org
for 2008 National FFA Week
items. We couldn’t begin to name
it all, but here’s a sampling of
what you’ll find: pencils, gift
bags, fabric stickers, pocket
guides, supporter buttons,
bookmarkers, T-shirts and more.
And that’s not even
mentioning the items decorated
with this year’s theme, “Blue
Jackets, Bright Futures.”
Go online to find out more!
1. Title of publication: FFA New Horizons
2. Publication number: 1069-806X
3. Date of fi ling: September 28, 2007
4. Frequency of issue: bimonthly
5. Number of issues published annually: 6
6. Annual subscription rate: $7.00 for non-FFA
members; $2.25 for FFA members (as part of
their $5.00 total national membership dues)
7. Complete mailing address of known offi ce of
publication: FFA New Horizons, National FFA
Organization, 6060 FFA Drive, Indianapolis, IN
46268-0960
8. Complete mailing address of the headquarters of general business offi ces of the
publishers: same
9. Full names and complete mailing address of
publisher, editor and managing editor: Publisher,
Julie Woodard, National FFA Organization,
6060 FFA Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46268-0960;
Executive Editor, Teree Caruthers, 725 Cool
Springs Blvd, Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067;
Managing Editor, Kim Newsom, 725 Cool
Springs Blvd, Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067.
10. Owner: (if not owned by a corporation, its
name and address must be stated and also
immediately thereunder the names and
addresses of stockholders owning or holding 1
percent or more of total amount of stock. If not
owned by a corporation, the names and
addresses of the individual owners must be
given. If owned by a partnership or other
unincorporated fi rm, its name and address as
well as that of each individual must be given. If
the publication is published by a nonprofit
organization, its name and address must be
stated.) National FFA Organization, 6060 FFA
Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46268-0960
11. Known bondholders, mortgages, and other
security holders owning or holding 1 percent
or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages,
or other securities: None
12. Tax status: Has not changed during
preceding 12 months
13. Publication title: FFA New Horizons
14. September/October 2007
15. Extent and nature of circulation
Average no.
Actual no. of
of copies each copies of single
issue during issue published
preceding 12 months
nearest
to fi ling date
A. Total number of copies
(net press run)
523,664
506,794
B. Paid circulation
1. Mail subscriptions (paid and/or requested)
461,655
448,705
3. Sales through other non-USPS paid distribution
60,801
56,810
C. Total paid and/or requested circulation
522,456
505,515
E. Total free distribution (sum of 15D)
1,208
1,279
F. Total distribution (sum of 15C and 15E)
523,664
506,794
G. Copies not distributed 3,477
1,500
H. Total (sum of 15F and G)
527,141
508,294
I. Percent paid
99.8%
99.7%
16. This statement of ownership will be printed
in the Nov./Dec. 2007 issue of this publication.
17. I certify that the statements made by me
above are correct and complete.
Julie Woodard, National FFA Organization
FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG
FFA
NEW HORIZONS
31
FFA Back Talk
Former members Reflect
Corey
Flournoy
Illinois FFA member
Former
finds career in agricultural education
I
f you need a good example of someone
whose career has truly been impacted by
FFA, just talk to Corey Flournoy. A native
of Chicago, Ill., Flournoy joined the FFA chapter
at the Chicago High School for Agricultural
Science without knowing his FFA experience
would someday shape his future career.
Today, Flournoy serves as a faculty
member in the agricultural education
program at the University of Illinois in
Urbana-Champaign. There, Flournoy
helps prepare college students to become
high school agriculture teachers. In his
spare time, he continues his love for public
speaking by presenting keynote addresses
and leadership training – skills he acquired
and developed as an FFA member.
Q
You obviously jumped right into your
FFA career, later being named the
national FFA president in 1991-92 – the
first from an urban environment. What
was that experience like for you?
A
The greatest obstacle I encountered
was learning to feel comfortable being
Corey despite the expectations I felt
were placed on me. Anyone who is considered
the “first” – in anything – endures the
burden of upholding a certain image and
level of skill. As an FFA member myself,
I lacked role models who were from
nontraditional communities or minorities –
particularly in leadership roles. I wanted to
serve as that role model for future students.
Q
How did FFA play a positive role
in your life?
A
I can definitely say that FFA changed
my life for the better. The opportunities
to learn critical thinking skills,
independence, creative thinking and overall
personal drive have translated into my own
career advancement and opportunities to
Corey Flournoy now speaks to young people as part of his job.
32
FFA
NEW HORIZONS
mentor others into similar careers.
FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG