Summer 2016

2016-2017 State Officers

Welcome to the Summer 2016, online only edition of Oklahoma Outlook. The tradi-tional printed version will be back in the fall. In the meantime, we hope you enjoy this expanded, interactive online version. This documemt will look best if you open it in Adobe Acrobat Reader, which most people already have on their computers; if you don’t, you can download it for free at https://get.adobe.com/reader/

Special thanks to Abigail Arthaud, Zadie Cook, Desiree Masterson, Amber McGee, Dwayne Cartmell, Dusty Oldenburg, and Shelly Sitton for their contributions to the State Convention articles.

2016 State Stars

In this issue:

2016 CDE Winners

2016 Proficiency Award Winners Your Dream Job!

Oklahoma Outlook

2016 Agriscience Fair Winners

Cale JahnState PresidentElgin FFA

Piper MerrittState SecretaryOwasso FFA

Adrienne BlakeyState ReporterStillwater FFA

Your 2016-2017 State FFA Officers

Cleo GiraldoNE DistrictVice PresidentEufaula FFA

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Ridge HughbanksNW DistrictVice PresidentAlva FFA

Tanna FrizzellSE DistrictVice PresidentByng FFA

Levi BakerCentral DistrictVice PresidentDibble FFA

Your 2016-2017 State FFA Officers

Garrett SaundersSW DistrictVice PresidentBinger-Oney FFA

Agribusiness

Hayden Crow, Chattanooga FFAHayden Crow’s supervised agricultural experience began six years ago when he started working for Phil Bohl Farms and Lewis Farm’s Custom Harvesting. Through his employment with these businesses, Hayden learned all aspects of sowing and harvesting wheat and cotton. He also expanded his knowledge of the beef industry and learned how to raise calves on wheat effectively. “Being involved in two businesses with such diverse operations has been an incredible opportunity,” he said. “I now have a passion for rural Oklahoma and production agriculture, and I hope to maintain a career in the industry.” Hayden said learning how to harvest crops was a unique experi-ence. He said he had the chance to develop his communication skills and network with producers from multiple states and enjoyed traveling and experiencing the agricultural industry in other states. Following graduation, Hyden plans to attend Oklahoma State University before returning home to become a crop insurance adjuster. He hopes to embrace his love of agriculture and continue to help out on his family’s operation. The 19-year-old Chattanooga FFA member is the son of Dena Crow. His agricultural education instructor and FFA advisor is Dexter Matlock.

Blake Kennedy shows pigs, goats and sheep and manages his family’s Perfect Timing Pig Sale.. Managing his schoolwork, the pig sale and his show animals taught him to handle responsibilities and priorities. He said being in the show ring taught him what it takes to win and how to handle losing. On the first Friday of every November, Blake and his family host the Perfect Timing Pig Sale. Blake said he prepares for the annual pig sale throughout the year, concentrating on marketing and advertising for the event. “This activity has opened several doors for me and allows me to gain great experience with finance, communi-cations and business that will help me later in life.” His responsibilities include assisting breeders with decision-making, marketing and promoting for buyers and sellers and staying updated on the pigs’ performance after the sale. Blake is active in the Tecumseh FFA chapter and currently serves as the chapter treasurer. After graduation, he plans to study agricul-tural communications at Seminole State College. The 18-year-old Tecumseh FFA member is the son of Todd and Regene Kennedy. His agricultural education instructors and FFA advisors are Kendall Whittington, Dodge Nichols, and Kenny Ledford.

Blake Kennedy, Tecumseh FFA

Placement2016 State Stars

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Agriscience

Brock Boeckman, Kingfisher FFA

Brock Boeckman manages three agricultural enterprises: a wheat operation, cow/calf operation and a stocker steer operation. “Record keeping is important in any operation, especially farming,” Boeckman said. “I keep accurate records of all of my financial transactions; this way I will be able to look back on my expenses or income if needed.” “Farming has been one if my top priorities since I have been in high school,” he said. “I enjoy it more than anything in the world. I have been told to pick a job you love, and you will never work a day in your life.” Brock also grows crabgrass hay during non-growing season. “I can take from my wheat field in the non-growing season, which benefits me in my cow/calf and stocker operation,” he said. FFA has played a pivotal role in Brock’s life. “The many places I have visited, the people I have met and the success I have encoun-tered are because of the FFA organization. I highly advise any young teenagers to join FFA.” The 18-year-old Kingfisher FFA member is the son of Bart and Dee-Dee Boeckman. His agricultural education instructors and FFA advisors are Ryan and Lori Burns.

Braden Kellogg grew up on a ranch and has been around agricul-ture his entire life, but he discovered his passion for the agricultural industry his eighth-grade year when he joined FFA. As a sophomore, Braden conducted research on what makes stu-dents active in FFA, paying special attention to the eighth grade program because that is when he became involved in FFA. “I was hoping I could make a different in student involvement,” he said. During his junior year, Braden conducted research with welding by comparing the strengths of various metals. He competed at the state level where he placed third with his project. Braden’s most recent project included conducting research on whether people could really “Taste the Difference” between Angus beef and other beef. “I contacted the Certified Angus brand first,” he said. “I then went on to contact Professor Gretchen Mafi at Oklahoma State University. I continued my research until I felt the results were accurate.” Kellogg said the Agriscience Fair was an unforgettable experience, and he has acquired skills that will help him with his future endeavors. The 17-year-old Oologah FFA member is the son of Brian and Cynthia Kellogg. His agricultural education instructors and FFA advisors are Kadie Smith and Sammy Leonard.

Braden Kellogg, Oolagah FFA

Star Farmer2016 State Stars

EVENT WINNER

Agricultural Education Maggie Martens - FairviewAgricultural Communications Bethany Niles - FairviewAgricultural Mechanics Design and Fabrication Tanner Rieger - BurlingtonAgricultural Mechanics Repair and Maintenance – Entrepreneurship Creston Moore – Mustang Agricultural Mechanics Repair and Maintenance - Placement Jarod Arnold - AdairAgricultural Processing Caitlyn Ralston - FairviewAgricultural Sales – Entrepreneurship Brady Womack - MorrisAgricultural Sales – Placement Riley Mussett - Valliant Agricultural Services William Church - FairviewAgriscience Research - Animal Systems Jordan Storey - ValliantAgriscience Research - Integrated Systems Lauren Lacy - EdmondAgriscience Research - Plant Systems Nicole Stevens - Yukon Beef Production – Entrepreneurship Jaryn Frey - KingfisherBeef Production – Placement Dathan Wade - AdairChapter Reporter Contest Madison Vance - PawneeChapter Secretary Contest Kasady Marshall – Sand Springs

Dairy Production – Entrepreneurship Emily Boyer - TuttleDairy Production – Placement Joseph Baker - Laverne

1st Place Proficiency Award Winners

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EVENT WINNER

Diversified Agricultural Production Jonathan Armbruster - BurlingtonDiversified Crop Production – Entrepreneurship Jett Smith - PerryDiversified Crop Production – Placement Hayden Crow - ChattanoogaDiversified Horticulture Sadie Collins - Burlington

Diversified Livestock Production Halle Hartman - SentinelEnvironmental Science and Natural Resource Management Jordan Berry - MustangEquine Science - Entrepreneurship Madison Phillips – Mulhall-OrlandoEquine Science - Placement Karli Jones - Adair

Fiber and/or Oil Crop Production Kohl Murray – Perkins-TryonFood for America Pork Promotion Yukon ChapterFood Science and Technology Jennifer Parnell - OiltonForage Production Jessica Cinnamon - Garber

Forest Management and Products Beecher T. Owens - MannfordFruit Production Jesse Rader - OolagahGoat Production Mckenzie Torrance - CheyenneGrain Production – Placement Dal Williams - Hollis

Home and/or Community Development Harley Purvis - OiltonLandscape Management Ethan Sacket - Fairview

1st Place Proficiency Award Winners

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EVENT WINNER

Nursery Operations Alisha Peterson - FairviewOutdoor Recreation Jace Webb - HollisPoultry Production Mason Pitts - RipleySheep Production Darci DeVous - Mustang Small Animal Production and Care Kaylee Brunker – Perkins-TryonSpecialty Animal Production Becca Garrett - StilwellSpecialty Crop Production Tanna Frizzell - ByngSwine Production – Entrepreneurship Ryli Powell - Ringwood Swine Production – Placement Emily Cinnamon - GarberTurf Grass Management Clayton Shires - CaleraVegetable Production Garrett Slagell – Hydro-EaklyVeterinary Medicine Dawson Haworth - Fairview Wildlife Production and Management Drew Dodd - Drummond

For a complete listing of all Proficiency Award winners, please go to: ffa.okstate.edu

Congratulations to all our winners!

1st Place Proficiency Award Winners

CATEGORY WINNERS

Animal Systems - Division I Addie Swanson - ShattuckAnimal Systems - Division II Hayes Maher - MoorelandAnimal Systems - Division III Marshall Clune & Kaleb Stephens - EdmondAnimal Systems - Division IV Whitney Lawson & Taylor Seaton - Vinita Environmental Sciences & Natural Resources - Division I Hadley Griffith – ShawneeEnvironmental Sciences & Natural Resources - Division II Dylan Lucas - BlairEnvironmental Sciences & Natural Resources - Division IV Erin Cusack & Dawson Haworth - Fairview

Food Products & Processing - Division I Payton Taylor - VinitaFood Products & Processing - Division II Braden Kellogg - OologahFood Products & Processing - Division III Ryen Macy & Marie Barnes – HarrahFood Products & Processing - Division IV Shaun Tune & Sidnay Hilburn - Quapaw Oil & Gas Erin Cusack & Dawson Haworth - Fairview

Agriscience Fair Division Winners

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CATEGORY WINNERS

Plant Systems - Division I Gracie Allen - OologahPlant Systems - Division II Ally Miller - VinitaPlant Systems - Division III Jentry Squires & Bree Taylor- KingfisherPlant Systems - Division IV Carsyn Spurgeon & Dylan Enyart - Vinita Power, Structural and Technical Systems - Division I Joel Coffey – PraguePower, Structural and Technical Systems - Division II Riley Bingham - VinitaPower, Structural and Technical Systems - Division IV Blake Runner & Gracie Norris - Oologah

Social Systems - Division I Emma Lewellen - OologahSocial Systems - Division II Barkley Rogers - OiltonSocial Systems - Division III Emily Phillips & Johna Bates – OologahSocial Systems - Division IV Lauren Lacy & Shae Grooms - Edmond

Agriscience Fair Division Winners

Congratulations to all our winners!

1st Place CDE Winners

Event Winner

Ag Communications KingfisherAg Issues Forum KingfisherAgricultural Education Teaching Shae Grooms - Edmond Agricultural Mechanics EdmondAgricutural Sales Binger-Oney

Agronomy BurlingtonAnimal Science Quiz Bowl DrummondCommercial Cattle Grading OktahaDairy Cattle Evaluation ChouteauElectricity Broken BowEntomology Oklahoma Union

Event Winner

Environmental & Natural Resources ByngExtemporaneous Speaking Adrienne Blakey, StillwaterFarm Business Management MorrisonFFA Creed Speaking Emily Kennedy - EdmondFFA Greenhand Quiz Caitlin Flackman - Burlngton

Floriculture EdmondFood Science and Technology LawtonForestry FairlandForestry National Qualifying Buffalo ValleyFreshman Ag-Science Quiz Bowl TecumsehHomesite Judging Vian

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1st Place CDE Winners

Event Winner

Horse Evaluation Oklahoma UnionJob Interview Alisa Northcutt - TishomingoJunior Ceremonies FairviewJunior Sporting Clays CushingLand Judging Whitesboro

Livestock Evaluation TuttleLivestock Handling Skills PawneeMarketing Plan PragueMeats Evaluation and Technology KingfisherMilk Quality Products FairviewMultiple Teacher Sweepstakes Kingfisher

Event Winner

National Qualifying Forestry Buffalo ValleyNursery/Landscape ByngParliamentary Procedure - Jr. Amber-PocassetParliamentary Procedure - Sr. MadillPoultry Evaluation Salina

Prepared Public Speaking Anna Crosswhite - KingfisherRangeland Judging Oklahoma UnionSenior Sporting Clays SpiroSingle Teacher Sweepstakes Amber-PocassetSoil and Water Conservation MadillVeterinary Science Jenks

For a complete listing of all CDE winners, please go to: ffa.okstate.edu

Congratulations to all our winners!

Your Dream Job!In Oklahoma, ag teachers and FFA advisors are held in very high esteem, some

would even say loved, by their communities and, especially, their students.

Here’s what some FFA members you know had to say about their ag teachers:Cale Jahn – State FFA President: “My ag teachers were really the ones who helped me get

involved with every part of being an FFA member. The investment they made in my life undoubt-edly changed me forever. Without that push from them to maybe work a little harder on my speech, or just have that life chat that we needed to have—I wouldn’t have had the same FFA experience that I did.”

Markel Harris – Former NE District VP: “My first year in FFA, I was a shy individual who sat in the back of the classroom and didn’t talk to a lot of people. I still remember my first contest. I remember being so scared and freaking out because it was my first time speaking in front of anyone. The entire time, they were supportive of me and kept saying, ‘You’ll be all right.’ The next year, I gave the FFA Creed, and ended up falling in love with public speaking. If it weren’t for them pushing me, I wouldn’t be where I’m at today. For that, I will always be grateful of them. That is what my advisors have meant to me.”

Vanessa Wiebe – Former NW District VP: “Whenever I would walk into the classroom, she would always be there with a smile on her face, and love in her heart. If I was having a bad day, she would take time to talk to me, even though she had a million and one different things she needed to do. It seemed like no matter what was going on in her life, she was always there for me to keep my life in order.”

We’ve talked with a lot of FFA members in the last 5 years and almost every one of them has similar comments about their ag teachers. Many of them said some of the most memorable moments of their FFA experience happened with their advisors on those long drives in the FFA truck. Former SE District VP Brooks McKinney is no exception. She said, “In high school, it was during those many late night and early morning rides to livestock shows, CDE competitions and speech contests that I learned many life lessons, was taught what passion truly meant, and saw what dedication really was.”

And Cale Jahn sums it up; “My instructors gave up so much of their own time to make me the best I could be. Because of that guidance, I was able to find my own success. They did so much for us, and took us so many miles down the road, that if I could ever have that same impact on someone else’s life, that will be an absolute blessing to me.”

You can have that kind of impact. You can become an ag teacher and FFA advisor. Oklahoma currently has 439 teachers in 359 programs and we average 80 openings for new teachers every year. One of those teachers could be you!

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Your Dream Job!Kalee Horn, former Central District VP, has already made that commitment. Thinking

about one of her high school ag teachers, she says, “He never failed to give me a kind word when I was at my lowest, or a good come-to-Jesus meeting when he knew I needed it. He believed in me when I found it impossible to believe in myself. He taught me everything—from how to lay down a good bead, to the importance of following my dreams. He was my ag teacher, my FFA advisor, counselor, life coach, and best friend. This is what my ag teacher meant to me. Because of the example he set, I have decided to become an Ag teacher, as well.

You can follow in Kalee’s footsteps. Making the decision to become an ag teacher would be a great way to pay back all the good things your ag teacher has done for you. Not only that, you’ll have the opportunity to do those same great things for the students in your classes.

FFA members love their ag teachers. The teachers love their students, too. They also love their jobs, and why wouldn’t they?

Dexter Matlock – Chattanooga: “You have a group of students who are excited to see you and excited to learn, excited to work with their hands, do something new each day. If you can’t get energy and a pick-up from that, then you’re not alive. Whether it’s 5:15 in the morn-ing, or coming back from a speech contest at 11 at night, the energy they bring in is indescribable.”

Erica Keen – Lindsay: “Seeing students grow and become better than they thought they could be - some that never thought they could stand up in front of a classroom and talk are out giving speeches or doing the Creed. Those are the things that keep me doing my job.”

Trevor Lucas – Calumet: “I don’t think you could really ask for a better job as a young pro-fessional. The connections you make, the people you get to meet—you get to grow professionally and you get to have a lot of fun and interact with students on a daily basis. That’s rewarding. I love what I’m doing and I get a paycheck at the end of the month. It’s crazy.”

One ag teacher told us this about his job, “I’m not in it for the income, I’m in it for the out-come.” That is universally true, but the income is not that bad. In Oklahoma, the starting salary for a first year ag teacher with a bachelor’s degree is $40,320.00.

As Lindsay FFA advisor Erica Keen tells us, “We live in a nice house. I have money to spend. We’re not hurting to pay bills every month. It is a good comfortable pay.”

Erica is one of a growing number of female ag teachers in Oklahoma. In 2006, only 3.7% of our ag teachers were female. That number is now approaching 20%.

Keena Young, Sequoyah, Oklahoma’s first female FFA advisor told us that, “… the female teachers out there have set the example that, yes, it can be done. If you’re a first year teacher and you have no family, or you’re a teacher coming into the ag teaching world and you already have your family established—it can be done.”

For Mrs. Young, teaching ag is a family affair. Her father was an ag teacher for many years. “As a family, we make the ag industry and the FFA life work for us. My little boy has gone to every national show that we’ve been to, every state show, national convention, state conven-tion—he’s a trooper. He’d rather be in the ag building than his pre-K class.”

Brian Campbell, FFA advisor in Depew, puts it all in perspective: “I didn’t want to be a lawyer. I didn’t want to be an accountant. I wanted to work with kids. I wanted to continue this FFA thing that I started when I was in school.” And that’s what he’s doing. Not only that, his daughter, Heather, just finished her first year of teaching ag at Bristow.

You can do that, too. If you love your ag classes and FFA, just imag-ine how cool it would be to have that be your job. You’d have a great career and you could be doing for your students what your ag teachers are currently doing for you.

Here’s what you need to do:First, talk with your ag teacher. Who better to advise you about this

important life decision? Then, think about where you’d like to go to college. There are lots of

scholarships and other incentives available to you. Oklahoma State has one of the finest scholarship programs of its kind in the nation and Northwestern and Panhandle State have great programs, too.

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Your Dream Job!Also, the Future Ag-Ed Teacher Academy at OSU offers a $1,000 scholarship for

OSU Ag-Ed majors. Approximately fifteen high school seniors are selected to attend the Future Ag Teacher Academy on the OSU-Stillwater Campus each summer.

You can do this! The rewards you’re getting from your ag classes and your FFA membership do not have to stop when you graduate from high school. They can continue for your whole life. Talk to your ag teacher today!

Email and websites:

OSU: http://aged.okstate.eduDr. Marshall Baker, bakerma@okstate.eduDr. Rob Terry, rob.terry@okstate.edu

Northwestern:

http://www.nwosu.edu/agriculture-educationDr. Mindi Clark, NW OSU, MSClark@nwosu.edu

Panhandle State:

http://www.opsu.edu/Academics/Agriculture/Agriculture_Education/Dr. Nels Peterson, OPSU, nels.peterson@opsu.edu

Future Ag-Ed Teacher Academy:

http://aged.okstate.edu/projects-programs/aged-teaching-academyjon.ramsey@okstate.edu

Assistance with the development of this article was provided by Kent Boggs, Rose Bonjour and Guy Shoulders. Photos courtesy of Austin Moore.