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Florida FFA Holiday Hours

In advance of the holiday’s, we would like to remind you of our holiday office schedule.  The Florida FFA Association Headquarters office will be closed for the holidays December 20th through January 4th to allow our staff and officers to spend time with our families.  We will reopen on Monday, January 5th and will resume our normal operating hours.  During the holiday break, our staff and officers will have very limited access to email and voicemail.  
 
Reminders:
  • Please be reminded that online registration for the 212° and 360° High School leadership conferences is schedule to close on January 2 (or sooner if they reach capacity).  Be sure to visit https://flaffa.org/events/ to register as soon as possible!
  • Please note that the membership deadline is March 1st.  All names should be entered into the Agricultural Career Network by this point.  Additionally, students must be entered into the Agricultural Career Network to be eligible for FFA Scholarships.  This deadline is February 1 at 5 p.m.  Please do not wait until the last minute to provide access to your seniors to AgCN to complete the process.
  • Please remember that December 31, 2014 is the last day to be included on students records for all SAE based awards (Proficiency/State Degree/American Degree/Stars) for the current school year.  To make the application process a bit easier in the coming months, please encourage your students to go ahead and finalize their 2014 records while they have time over the holiday break.  Likewise, your students must have an active AgCN account in order to submit all SAE based award applications this year.
We wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Fort White MS and Kathleen FFA named 2014 State Forestry Champions

GAINESVILLE, Florida – Florida FFA is pleased to announce the winners of the 2014 Middle and High School Forestry Career Development Event.  The winners of this event will be recognized at the 87th Florida FFA State Convention and Expo in July.  The competitive event was held on November 15 in Perry.  The event was coordinated by Jim Fleming and the Florida Forest Service.

The top teams and high individual in each category received awards sponsored by The Andersons and the Florida Forestry Festival, as special projects of the Florida FFA Foundation.

The purpose of the Forestry CDE is to stimulate student interest in forestry, to promote forestry instruction in the agricultural education curriculum, and to provide recognition for those who have demonstrated skill and competency as a result of forestry instruction.

High School Teams Score Middle School Teams Score
Kathleen 1739 Fort White 1630
Baker County 1735 Tomlin 1562
Durant 1710 Bartow 1480
Cedar Key 1708 Altha 1254
Charlotte 1686 Ocoee 1213
Milton 1637 Buddy Taylor 1182
Altha 1637 Poplar Springs 1084
Bunnell 1563 Keystone Heights 905
South Sumter 1470 Buffalo Creek 847
Clewiston High 1406
Orlando-Colonial 1344

The highest scoring, overall individuals for this event were Cody Clark (Kathleen) and Seth Rutledge (Fort White).

Kathleen team members included Joseph Julian, Hannah Scionti, Cody Clark, and Shelby Carlton.  The advisor is Mr. Kyle Carlton.

Fort White MS team members included Seth Rutledge, Andrew Fave, Tristan Biddle, and Chandler Frisina.  The advisor is Mrs. Jill Huesman.

About FFA Career Development Events (CDEs)

Career Development Events (CDEs) help students develop the ability to think critically, communicate clearly and perform effectively in a competitive job market.  FFA members in Florida compete in over 30 event areas each year, covering job skills in everything from communications to mechanics.  Some events allow students to compete as individuals, while others allow them to compete in teams.  CDEs allow students to prepare for over 300 careers in agriculture and other industries by applying their knowledge and skills obtained from classroom instruction in agricultural education programs.

About the Florida FFA Association

The Florida FFA Association is a premier youth, leadership organization with over 17,000 middle and high school student members – as part of over 300 local FFA chapters across the state. FFA members participate in nearly 50 leadership and career development events each year. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.

The Florida FFA Association is a resource and support organization that does not select, control, supervise or approve local chapter or individual member activities except as expressly provided for in the Florida FFA Association Constitution and Bylaws.

The FFA Mission

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

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2014 National Agricultural Proficiency Winners Announced

Winners of the 2014 National Agricultural Proficiency Awards were announced on Friday, Oct. 31 during the sixth general session at the 87th National FFA Convention & Expo. Awards were given in 49 categories.

Nursery Operations—Entrepreneurship/Placement Matthew George—Florida

Matthew George of the Trenton Senior FFA Chapter in Florida started helping his grandfather with his daylilies seven years ago. Since then, he has built 18 growing beds in his backyard to harvest his own daylilies. He has learned time management skills and the ability to boost customer satisfaction from his grandfather. In addition, George’s mother and grandmother have taught him bookkeeping. These factors have all influenced his own business, “Daylilies By George, LLC.” George is supported by parents Denny and Hallie George and FFA advisors Ashley Young and Heather Rucker. This award is sponsored RAM Trucks.

Small Animal Production and Care—Entrepreneurship/Placement Anastasia Sturgis—Florida

Anastasia Sturgis of the Orlando Colonial Senior FFA Chapter in Florida became interested in birds at 5 years old when her parents bought her a duckling. As a freshman in high school, Sturgis constructed numerous aviaries, obtained federal permits to breed endangered bird species, and perfected techniques to handle defensive and aggressive birds. She used these skills while working at a parrot rescue center to produce high quality exotic pet bird species from rescued macaws, conures, cockatoos, cockatiels, finches and lories. Sturgis hopes to pursue a career managing threatened avian and game bird species. She is supported by parents Gil and Renee Sturgis and FFA advisor Timothy App. This award is sponsored by Ainsworth Pet Nutrition and Tractor Supply Company.

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About National FFA Organization

The National FFA Organization is a national youth organization of 610,240 student members as part of 7,665 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The National FFA Organization operates under a federal charter granted by the 81st United States Congress and it is an integral part of public instruction in agriculture. The U.S. Department of Education provides leadership and helps set direction for FFA as a service to state and local agricultural education programs. For more, visit the National FFA Organization online at www.FFA.org, on Facebook, Twitter and the official National FFA Organization blog.

Oakleaf FFA Chapter named National Chapter Award Winner

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014/87th National FFA Convention & Expo) The Oakleaf FFA Chapter in Florida was named Model of Innovation winner in student development at the 87th National FFA Convention & Expo in Louisville, Ky.

The nation’s top 10 three-star chapters in the student development division competed for the award. Oakleaf FFA received a plaque in an onstage ceremony during the second general session on Thursday, Oct. 30. Top chapters were also selected from the middle school, student and community development divisions.

Oakleaf High School offers a Plant Biotechnology Academy, and the FFA chapter wanted to recognize FFA members who made the grades to be part of the academy. Since biotechnologists wear lab coats in the industry, it was decided to have a Lab Coating ceremony for those second-year FFA members in the academy. The high school principal “coated” those members.

The Models of Innovation awards are sponsored by John Deere as a special project of the National FFA Foundation. It is one of the many ways FFA members accomplish the FFA mission and succeed in making a difference in their communities and the lives of others.

The National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to 610,240 student members in grades seven through 12 who belong to one of 7,665 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

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About National FFA Organization

The National FFA Organization is a national youth organization of 610,240 student members as part of 7,665 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The National FFA Organization operates under a federal charter granted by the 81st United States Congress and it is an integral part of public instruction in agriculture. The U.S. Department of Education provides leadership and helps set direction for FFA as a service to state and local agricultural education programs. For more, visit the National FFA Organization online at www.FFA.org, on Facebook, Twitter and the official National FFA Organization blog.

Altha Middle FFA Named Nation’s Top Middle School

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014/87th National FFA Convention & Expo) The Altha Middle FFA Chapter in Florida was named Outstanding Middle School winner at the 87th National FFA Convention & Expo in Louisville, Ky.

The nation’s top five three-star chapters in the division competed for the award. Altha Middle FFA received a plaque in an onstage ceremony during the convention’s second general session on Thursday, Oct. 30.

Members of the Altha Middle FFA hosted a career day to inform students about agriculture. Along with posting flyers around the campus, students dressed as agriculturalists on career day. To help out in the community, the members worked to create a paper recycling program in the school. Recycling containers were placed in key areas and emptied by members once a month. By the end of nine weeks, the chapter had recycled more than 200 pounds of paper.

The Outstanding Middle School Award, along with all National Chapter awards, is sponsored by John Deere. It is one of the many ways FFA members accomplish the FFA mission and succeed in making a difference in their communities and the lives of others.

The National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to 610,240 student members in grades seven through 12 who belong to one of 7,665 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

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About National FFA Organization

The National FFA Organization is a national youth organization of 610,240 student members as part of 7,665 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The National FFA Organization operates under a federal charter granted by the 81st United States Congress and it is an integral part of public instruction in agriculture. The U.S. Department of Education provides leadership and helps set direction for FFA as a service to state and local agricultural education programs. For more, visit the National FFA Organization online at www.FFA.org, on Facebook, Twitter and the official National FFA Organization blog.

Kathleen FFA Wins National Forestry CDE

The National FFA Organization National Event Winners – Forestry 2014

LOUISVILLE- Winners of the National FFA Forestry Career Development Event (CDE) were announced Friday at the annual awards banquet. The event was held in conjunction with the 87th National FFA Convention & Expo in Louisville, Ky. Mr. John Allen Bailey of Georgia served as superintendent of this year’s event.

The top ten individuals and the national winning team members received cash awards to recognize their success in the event. The cash awards and the forestry event are sponsored by Husqvarna and John Deere as a special project of the National FFA Foundation.

The National FFA Forestry CDE is a competitive event that tests students’ skills and knowledge in the area of forest management. Event components include a general forest knowledge exam, tree identification, timber cruising, tree/forest disorders identification, a chainsaw practicum, forestry issues interview, and a team activity. Each team competed at local and state levels for the privilege of representing their state at the National FFA Convention & Expo.

This event, held at Bernheim Forest in Clermont, Ky., is one of many educational activities at the national convention in which FFA members apply classroom knowledge to real-life situations.

Top Placing Teams

1st Place– Florida
Taeler Dupre, Brevyn Foreman, Emmett Lee, and Lexi Sanchez, all of Kathleen FFA

2nd Place– West Virginia
Lyndsee Gay, Adam Irvine, Stephen Simmons, and Matt Rao, all of Pocahontas FFA

3rd Place– Louisiana
Dustin Goins, Joshua Goins, Kallie Kieffer, and Natalie Lang, all of Calvin FFA

4th Place– Illinois
Matt Runyon, Emily Shilling, Tanner Scherer, and George Boehl, all of East Richland- Olney FFA

5th Place– New Hampshire
Roger Landry, Kyle Trott, Connor Hamilton, and Tom Descoteau, all of Alvirne FFA

6th Place– Arkansas
Chance Dearing, Wyatt Bowen, Richard Saddler, and Jordan Strother, all of Cossatot River FFA

7th Place– Virginia
Thomas Largen, Cole Davis, Gregory Hickerson, and Jared Boyd, all of Carroll County FFA

8th Place– Pennsylvania
Curtis Avery, Clayton Bieber, Cody Dehaas, and Laura Young, all of Grand Canyon FFA

9th Place– Minnesota
Michael Gau, Austin Tatter, Adam Schroeder, and Tripp Ethridge, all of Grand Rapids FFA

10th Place– Idaho
Jacob Reinecker, Bre’Onne Hilliard, Tyler Sanchez, and Colt Stowell, all of Vallivue FFA

Top Placing Individuals

1st Place– Taeler Dupre of Kathleen FFA, FL
2nd Place– Brevyn Foreman of Kathleen FFA, FL
3rd Place– Emmett Lee of Kathleen FFA, FL
4th Place– Kyle Trott of Alvirne FFA, NH
5th Place– Matt Rao of Pocahontas FFA, WV
6th Place– Matt Runyon of East Richland-Olney FFA, IL
7th Place– Richard Saddler of Cossatot River FFA, AR
8th Place– Thomas Powers of Smith Agricultural FFA, MA
9th Place– Joshua Goins of Calvin FFA, LA
10th Place– Emily Shilling of East Richland-Olney FFA, IL

About National FFA Organization

The National FFA Organization is a national youth organization of 610,240 student members as part of 7,665 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The National FFA Organization operates under a federal charter granted by the 81st United States Congress and it is an integral part of public instruction in agriculture. The U.S. Department of Education provides leadership and helps set direction for FFA as a service to state and local agricultural education programs. For more, visit the National FFA Organization online at www.ffa.org, on Facebook, Twitter and the official National FFA Organization blog.

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2014 Proficiency Award Finalists

Florida FFA is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2014 Agricultural Proficiency Award program. Nearly 300 applicants from throughout Florida submitted applications for recognition within this program. The Agricultural Proficiency Award program rewards FFA members at the local, state and national levels for exceptional accomplishments and excellence in a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program. These supervised programs are planned, practical activities that are conducted outside of class time that help students develop and apply agricultural knowledge and skills learned inside the classroom in a real world environment. These programs can include entrepreneurship, placement, or research and experimentation.

The winners will be announced on stage during the 5th and 6th General Sessions of the 86th Florida FFA State Convention to be held June 30 – July 4, 2014 at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando. The finalists and their advisor should report to the holding room thirty minutes prior to the session in which they are to be recognized.

The complete listing of 134 Proficiency Award finalists can be found in the news release below.

New Release – 2014 Proficiency Finalist

2014 Outstanding Alumni Finalists

The Florida FFA Association and the Florida FFA Alumni Association are pleased to announce the finalists of the 2014 Outstanding Alumni Affiliate award. Each of these chapters and the winner will be recognized during the 8th General Session of the 86th Florida FFA State Convention on Friday, July 4th, 2014. A representative of each alumni affiliate should report to the holding room 30 minutes prior to the session.

The 2014 Outstanding Alumni Affiliate Finalists in alphabetical order are:

Branford FFA Alumni
Chiefland FFA Alumni
Kathleen FFA Alumni
Suwannee FFA Alumni
Williston FFA Alumni

New Release – 2014 Outstanding Alumni Affiliates

2014 Florida’s Finest FFA Chapters – National Chapter Award

Florida FFA is pleased to announce the selection of “Florida’s Finest” FFA Chapters. The selection of these chapters is based upon the completion of the National Chapter Award program application. These chapters have excelled in the areas of student, chapter and community development and have worked hard to fulfill the mission of the FFA. One member and one advisor from each of these chapters will be recognized on the main stage during the 2nd General Session of the 86th Florida FFA Convention on Wednesday, July 2nd, 2014. In addition, each of these chapters will represent Florida at the national level in the National Chapter Award Program.

All award winners should report to the holding room thirty minutes prior to the session in which they are to be recognized.

Those chapters who have been named Florida’s Finest in alphabetical order are:

Altha MS FFA
Altha Sr. FFA
Apopka FFA
Braden River FFA
Brandon FFA
Branford FFA
Bronson MS FFA
Bronson FFA
Brooksville Sr. FFA
DeLand MS FFA
Deltona Sr. FFA
Ft. White MS FFA
Ft. White Sr. FFA
George Jenkins FFA
Kathleen Sr. FFA
Keystone Heights Jr. FFA
Keystone Heights Sr. FFA
Lake Placid Sr. FFA
Lincoln MS FFA
New Smyrna Beach Sr. FFA
Northview FFA
Oakleaf MS FFA
Oakleaf FFA
Ocoee MS FFA
Palmetto FFA
Pine Ridge FFA
Santa Fe FFA
Sarasota Vo-Ag FFA
Sebring Sr. FFA
Southeast Manatee Sr. FFA

News Release – 2014 Florida’s Finest

Event Results: 2014 Horse CDE Finals

Florida FFA is excited to announce the results of the 2014 High School State Horse Evaluation Career Development Event (CDE). 15 teams who qualified at the Florida State Fair earlier this year competed for the state championship on April 12, 2014 in Gainesville, FL. FFA members evaluated eight classes and gave four sets of oral reasons on various breeds.

A special thanks goes to the UF/IFAS Animal Sciences Department and event coordinator Dr. Saundra TenBroeck for coordinating the competition. Thank you to those Advisors and chaperones who willingly to serve as group leaders.

Team Results
1 1966 DeLand
2 1876 Charlotte
3 1872 Apopka
4 1842 Braden River
5 1804 Mount Dora
6 1767 South Lake JR
7 1761 Malone
8 1740 Newsome
9 1727 South Lake SR
10 1712 Sickles
11 1710 Land O Lakes
12 1671 Zephyrhills
13 1630 East River
14 1621 Sarasota Vo-Ag
15 1611 Ft. Pierce Westwood

Top Five Individual Results
1 695 Haley Stark / DeLand
2 650 Matt Winter / Charlotte
3 638 Grace Cooksey / Mount Dora
4 638 Emma Geyer / DeLand
5 633 Jenna Girman / DeLand