Vo. 3 | Issue 4 | “National FFA Week Edition” Iowa FFA Association | February 2015

A NEW ERA...

NATIONAL FFA WEEK

STATE OFFICER PROFILES

MEMBERS AT THE CAPITOL

GATOR FARMING AND MORE!

Volume 3 | Issue 4The official magazine of the Iowa FFA Association.

2014-15 Iowa FFA OfficersPresident ABRAH MEYERSecretary LEE THOMSENReporter RAY SCHMIDTSE State Vice President MIKE POGGEMILLERSC State Vice President HUNTER MOORESW State Vice President LOGAN BAUERNE State Vice President MICHAEL TUPPERNC State Vice President MACKENZIE LEWISNW State Vice President DEVAN VANDER VEEN

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

Southeast District OfficersPresident MIKE POGGEMILLERNE Vice President WADE GERLACHS Vice President HUNTER HAMILTONNW Vice President MICHAEL HERSHBERGERSecretary KAYLA KAALBERGReporter SETH WEIRUPTreasurer SAVANNAH KEITZERAdvisor JOHN DANIELS

South Central District OfficersPresident HUNTER MOOREVice President ERIN HAMMONDSecretary WYATT KALDENBERGTreasurer SPENCER STOEBNERReporter KAITLYN BOYERSentinel MELISSA GARCIAAdvisor MRS. JESSICA HEBERT

Southwest District OfficersPresident LOGAN BAUERVice President ZOIE SHOOKSecretary JESSICA MESECKTreasurer DREW CHRISTENSENReporter ASHLYNN LINGLESentinel KENNEDY PLOWMANAdvisor MR. BEN BOOTH

Northeast District OfficersPresident MICHAEL TUPPERSecretary COLE MOODYReporter KAYLEIGH KOCHSW Vice President ALANA PLATTESE Vice President LIBBY FISHERNE Vice President AMANDA CROWNW Vice President TRISTAN DITTMERAdvisor MS. KRYSTAL WRIGHT

North Central District OfficersPresident MACKENZIE LEWISVice President BRANDON HANSONSecretary AMANDA ANDERSONTreasurer JUSTIN BARTLINGReporter KALA WISECUPSentinel CULLY FORSYTHAdvisor MR. KURT VELDHUIZEN

Northwest District OfficersPresident DEVAN VANDER VEENVice President COLIN BROWNSecretary MARISSA PHAMTreasurer MYSTIC HENNINGSENReporter TARI KNOCKSentinel HUNTER EASTAdvisor MS. MOLLI GRIFFIN

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Send us a picture of you and your FAVORITE mem-ory from the 87th National FFA Week! Another way to get in here is to send a TWEET with the hashtag #iaffa15 telling the world what you’re doing & what you love about the FFA! Hopefully we’ll see YOUR face in the next Iowa FFA Today!

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www.iowaffa.com to see all past issues of

the Iowa FFA Today!

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CONTENT

SAE SPOTLIGHTYou’ve heard of swine, beef, and

poultry SAEs, but alligators? Justin Voss talks to us about his gators.

NEW EMBLEMNew emblem, same tradition. State

Reporter Ray Schmidt gives us his take on modernizing our emblem.

LEGISLATIVE SYMPOSIUMIn a annual tradition, FFA members

visit their legislators at the Capitol building in Des Moines.

MOST WONDERFUL TIME State Secretary Lee Thomsen tells us

why she loves chapter visits and the interaction with members.

NATIONAL FFA WEEKPresident Abrah Meyer gives us the

annual FFA Week Address as we prepare for the exciting week ahead!

STATE OFFICERS Q & AOne final question and answer

session with the State Officer Team.

DISTRICT RUNDOWNWe catch up with six of Iowa’s

chapters and what makes them unique in our chapter spotlight.

Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?

AM: I hope to be working as a salesperson or in government affairs for an agricultural company.

LT: I hope to be graduated from college, teaching agriculture in rural Iowa!

MP: I see myself in a career that will allow me to return to the family farm but still be able to travel the great state of Iowa. counting’ corn and makin’ bank.

LB: I see myself starting a family and pursuing a career in agriculture;

STATE OFFICERS

One Year, All InQuestion and Answer with the State Officer Team

hopefully, dealing with the cattle industry.

DVV: I see myself working for a feed milling operation, developing rations for livestock producers, while still managing my own livestock near the family farm.

What is your idea of a perfect date?

AM: Having a simple dinner at a pizza place and dancing in the kitchen, blaring John Mayer, while making cookies for dessert!

LT: My idea of a perfect date is one where I forget to look at my phone or

the clock because we’re having such a good time.

RS: Lee Thomsen...

MP: Go to a Saturday college football game, get Olive Garden for lunch, go golfing, then supper wherever the best steak in town is, and wrap it up with my favorite movies or four-wheeler rides.

MT: Dinner and hang out.

DVV: Spending the afternoon mudding with four wheelers, followed by watching the sunset by the lake and munching on some pizza.

What is your favorite memory of this year?

AM: When Ray fell in love with a Canadian Babe...

LT: The road trip to and from Louisville with the team for National FFA Convention! Any time with the team is a time to remember!

RS: State Fair or Growmark Conference in Chicago

MP: I really enjoyed spending time with my team during partnership visits this past summer. The networking opportunities combined with crazy car rides made for some great memories!

What is your best ad-vice for members?

AM: If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Successful people don’t remember how many times they failed; rather, how many times they never gave up.

MT: Don’t be afraid to try something new.

ML: Work hard and be yourself!

DVV: Take advantage of every opportunity. “Opportunity doesn’t knock; it presents itself when you beat down the door.”

ABRAH MEYERState President“Is this heaven? No, it’s the gym.” This Northeast Iowa girl can be found working out in between her frequent trips to Orange Leaf and Starbucks.

STATE OFFICERS

MIKE POGGEMILLERSoutheast State VP

HUNTER MOORESouth Central State VP

LOGAN BAUERSouthwest State VPGrew up in Audubon County–home of the largest bull named, “Albert.” Logan loves the saying, “seven days without beef makes one week”

MICHAEL TUPPERNortheast State VPMichael hails from New Hampton where he resides on a diversified family farm. He enjoys traveling, advocating, and watching corn grow. Michael attends Iowa State.

MACKENZIE LEWISNorth Central State VPThis movie-lover was born and raised in Boone. She enjoys watching her brother play baseball in the summer and spending time with her family.

DEVAN VANDER VEENNorthwest State VPSibley-Ocheyedan FFA is Devan’s home chapter. Devan enjoys playing basketball, giving advice, and getting a little reckless on his four wheeler.

Vertically challenged fellow from the beautiful countryside of Mediapolis, Iowa! He enjoys heights and fun for the whole family.

Hunter lives on a small farm by Centerville, Iowa. He enjoys hunting, fishing, and behing in the great outdoors.

LEE THOMSENState SecretarySarcasm enthusiast and lover of anything containing Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Lee comes from the first urban FFA chapter in Iowa, and she won’t soon let you forget it!

RAY SCHMIDT State ReporterDry humor and honest answers are some of the few things to come out of Ray’s mouth. He runs a small pumpkin business called Patches O Pumpkins. He is a Libra.

SAE SPOTLIGHT

Justin Voss, a senior member of the North-Linn FFA Chapter, has an SAE project that is unlike any other in the state of Iowa.

In his area of specialty animal production, Voss cares for and raises Giant Malaysian Freshwater Prawn, as well as three American Alligators. The prawn and the three alligators, affectionately named Paris, Steve, and Beau, are housed in the FFA chapter’s greenhouse.

This particular SAE is one that began in 2006 when Jaye Nauman, a former North-Linn FFA member, approached advisor, Mr. Tom Murray, and asked if he could raise American Alligators as part of his SAE. This led to the North-Linn FFA Chapter purchasing three alligators to be kept and raised in their greenhouse facilities.

This SAE has been passed from student to student, with Voss being the fourth student to care for the alligators and prawn. Voss, now a senior, took over the SAE program the summer following his sophomore year.

When asked about his feelings when taking over the program, he stated, “It was an honor to take over a program in our chapter that has been so successful.”

He also said that it was a big position to fill and a little bit nerve-wracking to think about. “I was a little bit nervous to be working with alligators, but once I was taught how to safely handle them, I adjusted very quickly. Now I’m used to it and enjoy working with them.”

SAE Spotlight:

Justin Voss

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The three-circle model that is used for agricultural education consists of three components—classroom instruction, FFA, and Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE). An SAE is a student-led project or job that gives real-life application to what students are learning in the classroom. A SAE helps students gain work experience and leadership skills that help to prepare them for their responsibilities later in life.

SAE SPOTLIGHT

Justin has many responsibilities when it comes to caring for the prawn and alligators.

He developed a feeding plan for both the prawn and alligators based on theirs needs for protein. He is then responsible for ordering the amount of feed that is needed and feeding them on a carefully kept schedule. His prawn are fed with protein pellets and the alligators are on a diet of cat food—the cat food provides the alligators with just the right amount of protein necessary for a healthy diet.

Justin is also responsible for housing his animals in a clean and healthy environment. He performs weekly water tests on the prawn tanks. Based on his results, he is able to determine if the prawn have enough dissolved oxygen

readily available, if their water temperature is suitable for optimal growth, as well as when the tanks need to be back-flushed or cleaned.

He cares for the alligator tank by checking the temperature of the water, making sure that all heat lamps are working properly, and cleaning and changing the tank water as needed.

When asked, Justin said that his least favorite job was cleaning the alligator tank. He best sums the job up by saying, “There isn’t quite anything like the smell of alligator poop.”

When asked what was the most rewarding part of his SAE, Justin said that educating people about his alligators is definitely his favorite thing to do. “People are fascinated that we are able to raise alligators in our greenhouse. I love talking with the young kids and giving them the opportunity to interact with the alligators in a safe environment.” Justin takes the alligators to numerous events in the area throughout the year, and he takes great pride in the work that he has done within his SAE.

“Once I was taught how to safely handle them I adjusted very quickly. Now I enjoy working with the [alligators].”

NEW EMBLEM

NEW EMBLEM SAME TRADITION

“FFA stands for yesterday.FFA stands for today.

FFA stands for tomorrow.”

Over almost nine decades, the agricultural industry has changed dramatically and excelled into the modern era of technology and efficiency. The FFA emblem has been a symbol representing millions of upstanding ag leaders that embody the tradition of the great organization that we call the FFA.

As the ag industry has adapted, so has the FFA emblem. The same symbology and layout remains, but minor adjustments have been tweaked over time to reflect the culture of FFA members. The new emblem (circa 2015) is a modernized, digital revision that includes many much needed updates from the pre-2015 emblem.

The old emblem was an asymmetrical hand drawn version that had been copied and reproduced several times. The quality has diluted over the years. The colors were inconsistent throughout the brand. Some aspects such as the eagle and corn accents were too ornate, while the shield and the sun rays were not as sharp as they could be.

The emblem is an improved digital, dynamic symbol of the new era of the FFA. There is consistent

branding and a defined Pantone code. The primary blue Pantone is number 2945 C, secondary gold is Pantone 118 C, with accent red 485 C. The emblem is now symmetrical. White accents are distributed on the plow and arrows. The corn, eagle and shield are sharpened. The corn kernels and sun rays are at defined angles. The restricted symbol moved inside the emblem. The wording, especially “FFA” is now centered.

The emblem has been dramatically improved and is available in many downloadable file formats at ffa.org. Always remember to read the copyright terms and use the emblem appropriately and with integrity.

The new emblem, like those before, represent the essence of what FFA is all about. FFA is full of hardworking, enthusiastic students with great morals and values. FFA stands for yesterday. FFA stands for today. FFA stands for tomorrow. FFA stands for you.

CHAPTER VISITS

When I was in high school, I remember that one of my favorite days of the year was the day when State Officers came to our agriculture classroom.

From an FFA member’s perspective, it was an opportunity to get to know the State Officers, as well as participate in some awesome workshops for a class period. Now having completed chapter visits from a State Officer’s perspective, I understand that it is that and so much more. Chapter visits are still one of my favorite days of the year, except now I get to do them more than once a year.

There is nothing quite like waking up before the sun, getting into official dress, picking up a teammate, and driving a couple hours to a high school to spend the whole day with members. It truly is interaction with FFA members that makes serving as a State Officer so worth it, and we are so fortunate to be able to do just that so often.

“My favorite part about chapter visits is getting to interact with the members and learn how FFA has helped them!” says South Central State Vice President Hunter Moore.

If you have not yet had a visit from a State Officer, it’s not too late! Get in contact with your district’s State Vice President, and one or two of us can come spend the day with you! As long as you promise to sneak us into the lunch room so we can experience high school lunch just like the old days, we’ll promise to keep you entertained all day.

Lee Thomsen, State Secretary

NATIONAL FFA WEEK

Do you ever have those holidays during the year where you squeal for joy? For me, it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, and NATIONAL FFA WEEK! February 21st through 28th is National FFA Week, an opportunity for FFA members, alumni and sponsors to advocate for agricultural education and FFA. It’s a time to share with local, state and national audiences what FFA is and the impact it has on members every day!

Did you know that National FFA Week began almost 70 years ago? It all started in 1947 at a National FFA Board of Directors meeting, where the week of George Washington’s birthday was designated as National FFA Week. Today, it still runs Saturday to Saturday and encompasses February 22nd, Washington’s birthday.

While we don’t have the gelled-back hair from the 1940’s, FFA week traditions are very prominent at my high school. In my FFA chapter, we visit elementary schools, hang facts about agriculture

all around my high school, recruit middle school students, and eat plenty of cake to last us the whole year! What does your chapter do for FFA Week? Maybe it’s holding a food can drive, doing a trivia challenge with your classmates, or hosting Donkey Basketball at your high school.

Whatever your FFA chapter activities entail during National FFA Week, I challenge you to Go All Out for your chapter and for the organization. I read a cool statement in a pamphlet that I received at the National FFA Convention this year, and it certainly holds some truth: “Go All Out as you live your lives. Motivate yourselves and put everything you have into everything you do. Be determined. Know no bounds. Take action.”

Whether you’re an officer, committee chair, or member, be determined to take your chapter to a whole different level this year. Take action, recruit five new FFA members, participate in a career development event, serve in a community service project, and seek growth in what the FFA has to offer. Regardless of what you choose to do, Go All Out as you live your life!

February 21st – 28th is...

“Be determined. Know no bounds.

Take action.”

Abrah Meyer, State President

DISTRICT REVIEW

The officer team for this year is Keaton Keitzer, Wyatt Orr, Savannah Keitzer, Josh Frazier, Michaella Beckman, Susan Strawhacker, Hannah Smith, Ally Vantiger, and Liz Zippe. They have had a busy year with their chapter’s crop test plot, greenhouse, and fruit sales. They continue to stay busy with FFA week, staff luncheon, leadership conferences, and their chapter banquet.

Atlantic FFA was chartered on February 25th, 1938. They have 53 FFA members and are going to have a few different dress up days for FFA Week. They will host Sub District FFA CDE’s on February 25th. Atlantic also has birthday cake on the Chapters Charter. They recently began a sweet corn plot that brought in $1,000 in its first year.

Algona participates in some fun FFA week activities: drive your tractor to school day, pancake supper, labor auction, cherry pie feed to recruit 8th graders, dress up day, and shopping cart races. Algona FFA runs a petting barn at the Kossuth County Fair each year.

The Central Trail FFA officially started a middle school chapter this year. The chapter members have the opportunity to complete 52 community service hours each year, which also makes them eligible to earn the silver cord for community service upon graduating. Central Trail has 114 members and is doing an FFA scavenger hunt among other activities for National FFA Week.

With 96 members currently enrolled, New Hampton FFA owns two greenhouses, a high tunnel and a heater, and tends a one acre vineyard–all to sell the produce to the New Hampton High School lunch program. One of the unique trips that the chapter takes is to the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown.

South Central Calhoun has 106 members and has some unique traditions for FFA week. Juniors are voted in to a FFA Sweet Heart competition. Days include dresseing as farm animals, opposite gender farmers, decorating cakes, Ag Olympics. The officer team cooks breakfast for the faculty. The week concludes with a dance and crowning of the King and Queen Sweet Heart.

Mediapolis

Atlantic

Algona

Central Trail

New Hampton

South Central Calhoun

Chapter Spotlights from across Iowa’s Six Districts: Southeast, South Central, Southwest, Northeast, North Central, and Northwest

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FFA AT THE CAPITAL

For the past 30 years, more than 300 FFA members have had the opportunity to visit the State Capitol and advocate for Agricultural Education through the Iowa FFA Legislative Symposium. This year, there was record turnout with close to 350 members from over 50 chapters making the trip to Des Moines to ensure a continued and bright future for Agriculture Education.

The day started off with students being addressed by the President of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Mr. Craig Hill, and a representative of the World Food Prize, Ms. Libby Crimmings. “I was asked to come speak about Iowa agriculture today and its importance to this state,” Hill stated. “It couldn’t be any more important. Iowa is agriculture. It’s who we are. What you are doing today is important, and it gives me hope that your generation will continue to make Iowa a leader in agriculture.”

After being briefed by the State Officer Team on how to effectively carry out a legislative visit, students and advisors flocked to the Capitol Building to have conversations with legislators. The level of engagement and enthusiasm was evident throughout the whole building.

“I had never been to Legislative Symposium before. I am so glad that I made the trip down to Des Moines this year,” said Kayleigh Koch, Northeast District Reporter and member of the North Fayette Valley FFA Chapter and “The passion that these members show is why I’m proud to be a member of this organization.”

Brandon Hanson, a member of the Iowa Falls Alden FFA Chapter and a North Central District Officer, got the chance to visit with Representative Pat Grassley. “It was so great to see how willing Representative Grassley was to take time out of his schedule to sit down and talk to us. We were able to ask some great questions about what he thinks the future of agriculture will look like in the state.”

After spending a few hours at the Capitol, FFA members traveled to the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates to receive tours and hear remarks

“You all helped ensure a bright

future for agriculture in the world.”

LEGISLATIVE

FFA AT THE CAPITAL

from Ambassador Kenneth Quinn, Director of the World Food Prize. “Today, you all helped ensure a bright future for agriculture in the world,” stated Ambassador Quinn in his address. “You showed passion for this noble calling in the same way that Dr. Norman Borlaug showed passion. Your dedication to educate others is the same dedication that he took around the world to Mexico, Asia, and Africa. You are helping to carry on his legacy.”

After Ambassodor Quinn’s address, State President Abrah Meyer read the Governor’s Proclamation, which identified February 21st-28th as National FFA Week in the State of Iowa. “Thank you all for giving your time today to come advocate for agricultural education. Without the support of students, agricultural education and FFA would not be as strong as it is in Iowa.” Legislative Symposium is one of the most unique events that I have participated

in during my time in FFA. Being from Iowa, we sometimes take agriculture for granted. To have the opportunity every year, for the last 30 years to come together for one day and tell our stories to the people that represent us is a legacy in which I am glad to be a part of. Legislative Symposium shows firsthand the power of having a united cause and a united message. For us as FFA members, that message insures agricultural education for years to come.

I was so glad that I got to experience Legislative Symposium for the first time this year. Seeing the passion that students had and the professional way they presented themselves just reminded me over and over again how lucky I am to have had the opportunity to be in FFA. After 30 years, the legislative symposium is still relevant, and I know it will continue to be relevant and impactful for years to come.

“[He] was able to take time out of his

schedule to sit down and talk to us.”

Michael Tupper, Northeast State VP

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